The Great Footy Road Trip: Best bakery, pubs and famous football towns on Melbourne to Adelaide drive

Driving to Adelaide for Gather Round? We’ve got the two best routes – and the bakeries, cafes, pubs and famous footy towns to stop at along the way.

All roads lead to South Australia for Gather Round.

But what is going to be the best route to take?

With the airlines raising prices for many Victorians wanting to watch their team interstate this weekend the money-saving option is to driver over the border.

We’ve prepared two routes for you to take, and identified the bakeries, cafes and pubs to stop at along the way – as well as the famous footy faces of each town.

FIRST LEG

Melbourne to Ballarat

Time: 1 hour 30

Famous footy names:

Pass through Bacchus Marsh and Darley, where Port Adelaide star Zak Butters is from.

After around an hour and a half you might want to take a break so pull into Ballarat. It’s a city rich with footy history, in addition to the games the Western Bulldogs play there each year, with greats of the game such as Tony Lockett, Danny Frawley, Mick Malthouse and Mick McGuane either from or having links to the Golden City.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

If you are all about your coffee then Cobb’s is for you, they also have rotating sandwich specials, while 1816 Bakehouse has rave reviews. If you have some time to spare and don’t want to go back on the road asap then you could check out Sovereign Hill, a replica of a gold mining town, or pop into the Royal Oak Hotel or if you want something a bit different try Aunty Jacks.

SECOND LEG

Ballarat to Ararat

Time: 1 hour

Famous footy names:

If you want to keep going for around another hour or so you could stop off in Ararat for a break.

The home of former Collingwood and Essendon cult hero Rene Kink, also known as ‘The Incredible Hulk’ as well as his role as Tank O’Donohue in The Club.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

If you have time there the town is a gateway to the Grampians and Pyrenees wine regions. If you want to stay in the town Fred & Bet’s and S.E.D.E Café are two strong options, while Waack’s Ararat Bakery does an award-winning vanilla slice.

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The Horsham Silo. Picture: Visit Melbourne

The Giant Koala at Dadswell Bridge. Picture: Alamy

THIRD LEG

Ararat to Horsham

Time: 1 hour

Famous footy names:

From there it is back on the road, passing Stawell, to Horsham – where Sydney legend Adam Goodes grew up. Before you get to the town at the Dadswell Bridge there is The Giant Koala while on Wawunna Road is the incredible Horsham Silo which has been transformed into an amazing piece of art by Sam Bates.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

For food options the family owned and operated Conway Pies has award-winning pies and pastries while Café Jas and Café Chickpea are there for coffee. If you want a drink or something more, the Exchange Hotel is an iconic gastropub right in the CBD.

Nhill’s Jason McCartney

FOURTH LEG

Horsham to Nhill

Time: 52 minutes

Famous footy names:

After less than an hour you are exactly halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, at the town of Nhill. The hometown of now GWS footy boss Jason McCartney, and former Essendon players David Flood and Dean Wallis if you are a fan of pinballs then you are in luck with the town boasting the Australian Pinball Museum. There is also the Nhill Lake if you want to take a quick dip.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

The Wimmera Bakery is an option for something quick while Ambers Sweet Bliss is the coffee option there. The Nhill Farmers Arms Hotel is the classic rural pub.

FIFTH LEG

Nhill to Bordertown

Time: 55m

Famous footy (and political) names:

In under an hour from Nhill you are now in South Australia, so just so you are aware it’s parmi not parma. Essendon premiership player David Grenvold is from here but Bordertown might as well be named Bob Hawke town. You can visit his family home, the bronze bust of the former prime minister and the Bob Hawke Gallery.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

There’s a couple of bakeries here if you need something – the Bordertown Bakery and the Morning Loaf Bakery – while Café La Vie and Soul Café and Wine Bar are options for coffee or something more.

SIXTH LEG

Bordertown to Coonalpyn

Time: 1 hour 13

Famous footy names:

You are well and truly on the Dukes Highway now and passing through regional South Australia and Coonalpyn, the home of former Fitzroy, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn player Matthew Dent.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

Coonalpyn might be a small town but they have one hell of a place to stop off at in Waffles & Jaffles, where you guess it they serve excellent waffles and jaffles. Next door is the Coonalpyn Bakery. There is also the Coonalpyn Hotel if you want to make more of a stop in the town.

Don’t miss the giant waffle at Waffles & Jaffles in Coonalpyn. Picture: Sarah Reed

SEVENTH LEG

Coonalpyn to Murray Bridge

Time: 58 min

Famous footy names:

Soon you are getting close to the Murray River, and then Murray Bridge – home of former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn star Chad Wingard. Of course while you are there you have to check out the Murray Bridge Bunyip lurking in her cave on the banks of the river.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

You can also you can also check out McCue’s Bakery and St George’s Bakehouse if you need something to eat, while Little Local Co, Noti & Folk and Luogo are some of the picks for coffee.

Chad Wingard during Port Adelaide’s community camp in Murray Bridge in 2016. Picture: Sarah Reed.

EIGHTH LEG

Murray Bridge to Mount Barker

Time: 30min

You could just push on for Adelaide, but if you need a stop there is Mount Barker. While it isn’t hosting games this Gather Round after hosting them the previous two editions there’s plenty to do before you hit Adelaide.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

There’s Prancing Pony Brewery or the biodynamic vineyard Ngeringa if you want to enjoy what the region does best. For quicker options there is the Lobethal Bakery on both Gawler St and Victoria Rd, as well as the Brezel Bakehouse. Sazon Espresso, Gawler Street Café and Lady Luck Café are all solid options for coffee.

NINTH LEG

Mount Barker to Adelaide

Time: 30min

You are on the home stretch now. Take the south eastern freeway and pass through the Adelaide Hills on the way to the Adelaide CBD. Waiting for you is Gather Round, lap it up.

FIRST LEG

Melbourne to Geelong

Time: 1hr 10

Famous footy names:

Get on the Princes freeway and head down to Geelong, home of Gary Ablett Jr, Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Scarlett among many other stellar products from the area.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

While not technically a bakery, Freshwater Creek Cakes offer quintessential bakery treats. The Corio Bay Roadhouse on Melbourne Road is famous in footy folklore, while if you are looking for a cafe then take a drive down Pakington Street with King of the Castle and Sodi are two of dozens of quality options. Or you could stop in at Billy Brownless’ Cremorne Hotel for a drink, while you can also get a classic pub experience at Commun Na Feine (‘The Commo’) or the Gold Diggers Arms (‘The Diggers’).

Andrew Clarke and Billy Brownless at their Geelong pub The Cremorne Hotel. Picture: Mark Stewart

SECOND LEG

Geelong to Colac

Time: 1hr

Famous footy names:

From Geelong it’s an hour on the road until you get to Colac. Where Hawthorn great, as well as Brisbane Lion, Luke Hodge is from. If you like your geological formations then this is a place for you.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

The Hulms Bakery Colac is probably the most famous bakery in the area. For coffee or brunch there is Future Café, Gravity Café Bar and Anrey Hope Fair Trade Coffee House. The Austral Hotel and Colac East Hotel are options if you want a drink or two.

THIRD LEG

Colac to Camperdown

Time: 33min

Famous footy names:

Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley isn’t the only Camperdown kid. As well as Hinkley, Western Bulldog premiership captain Easton Wood, Essendon premiership player Scott Lucas and Carlton’s former No. 1 pick Sam Walsh are all from Camperdown.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

The Camperdown Bakery and the Loaf & Lounge are the bakery options here. For coffee try The Farmhouse @ 153 or D J’s Café. For pubs there are the Commercial Hotel, the Hampden Hotel and the Leura Hotel.

FOURTH LEG

Camperdown to Warrnambool

Time: 50min

Famous footy names:

There’s some serious footy pedigree from Warrnambool. Brownlow Medallist Paul Couch, four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis, three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown and Geelong legend Michael Turner all hail from the town.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

There’s a number of options here. Browns Depot Bakery, Reeves Bakery and Pig & Pie Bakery all go well. For coffee there’s Bohemia Café & Bar, ToTo Town and Café Lava in the town, while if you want something a bit more special Pavilion Café & Bar has stunning views overlooking the sea. The Whalers Hotel and The Cally are good pub/bar options.

Jordan Lewis hails from Warrnambool. Picture :Wayne Ludbey

FIFTH LEG

Warrnambool to Casterton

Time: 1 hour 50

Famous footy names:

Geelong two-time premiership player Max Rooke, Richmond flag winner Alan ‘Bull’ Richardson, Carlton dual premiership winner Barry Gill and his brother John all hail from Casterton, just over 40km away from the South Australian border and the birthplace of the Kelpie.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

Herbert’s Bakery is loved by many, while for cafes try Entwined Café & Restaurant, Element Café & Larder and Mother Goose Café and Pantry. For pubs there is the Glenelg Inn and the Albion Hotel.

SIXTH LEG

Casterton to Naracoorte

Time: 1 hour 10

Famous footy names:

Dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale was born here, with former No. 2 pick Jack Trengove, ex-Richmond and St Kilda player Aaron Fiona and former Fremantle and Port Adelaide tagger Cam Sutcliffe also from the town that is home to the world heritage listed Naracoorte Caves.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

For bakeries try Craig’s Bakehouse and Café or the Bake House. KALV & CO, Maddies Café and Sweet Espresso 5271 are all options for coffee and more. While the Naracoorte Hotel and Bushman’s Arms are classic country pubs.

SEVENTH LEG

Naracoorte to Keith

Time: 1 hour

Famous footy names:

Keith the home of West Coast premiership player Jack Redden and former Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn wingman Simon Cox.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

The Keith Bakery and Coffee Shop is your option here, while Henry & Rose is also another place you can go to. There’s also the Keith Hotel.

EIGHTH LEG

Keith to Coonalpyn

Time: 40 minutes

Famous footy faces:

The home of former Fitzroy, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn player Matthew Dent.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

Coonalpyn might be a small town but they have one hell of a place to stop off at in Waffles & Jaffles, where you guess it they serve excellent waffles and jaffles. Next door is the Coonalpyn Bakery. There is also the Coonalpyn Hotel if you want to make more of a stop in the town.

NINTH LEG

Coonalpyn to Murray Bridge

Time: 58 min

Famous footy names:

Soon you are getting close to the Murray River, and then Murray Bridge – home of former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn star Chad Wingard. Of course while you are there you have to check out the Murray Bridge Bunyip lurking in her cave on the banks of the river.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

You can also you can also check out McCue’s Bakery and St George’s Bakehouse if you need something to eat, while Little Local Co, Noti & Folk and Luogo are some of the picks for coffee.

TENTH LEG

Murray Bridge to Adelaide via Mount Barker

Time: 1 hour

You could just push on for Adelaide, but if you need a stop there is Mount Barker. While it isn’t hosting games this Gather Round after hosting them the previous two editions there’s plenty to do before you hit Adelaide.

Bite to eat or where to get a drink:

There’s Prancing Pony Brewery or the biodynamic vineyard Ngeringa if you want to enjoy what the region does best. For quicker options there is the Lobethal Bakery on both Gawler St and Victoria Rd, as well as the Brezel Bakehouse. Sazon Espresso, Gawler Street Café and Lady Luck Café are all solid options for coffee.