If you’re one of the legion who turn to desserts before deciding on dinner, set the GPS to Bendigo. For here, within a stylish dining room in the heart of the gold rush city you’ll be served a platter of no less than 10 tastes – fairy floss-topped ice cream, cracking-crusted brulee, coconut-rolled roulade, popcorn-crowned parfait and more – that’s one of the state’s sweetest full stops.

This is Masons of Bendigo, where the sweets are a treat but it’s the celebration of this region – and it’s producers – that gets top billing.

Plates are packed with tastes and techniques and highlights across the large menu are many. McIvor Farm’s excellent pork – transformed into morcilla, fillet, crisp-belly and breaded shoulder – is a stand out, though Rockwood Cottage Lamb with black olive caramel is equally ambitious and completely delicious.

While the kitchen keeps sourcing close, inspiration comes from much further afield. You’ll see lap cheong, date molasses, Turkish pepper and Korean spices all sharing the stage across the pretty, intricate dishes.Drinks continue the celebration of local heroes, both in the bottle and in a can. Whether sugar or spice, it’s all things nice at Masons.

Must eat dish: Masons dessert tasting plate