This small bakery is no stranger to an award or two for its creations; Banana Bougie has been awarded Best Vanilla Slice and Best Sausage Roll at the Adelaide Show. But the Adelaide Hills doesn’t just knead dough and churn out classic treats for takeaway, but serves hefty takes on brunch and burgers to enjoy out front. Best for: Award-winning sausage rolls instagram.com/banana_boogie/?hl=en

Four generations of the Fechner family have now been involved in the running of the Apex Bakery in the luscious Barossa. These days the family-run bakery continues to embrace the same traditional slow-ferment doughs, cooked in the same historic Scotch oven. Drop by for breads, pies, and pastries, and don’t miss out on their much loved ‘hangover cure’ the Apex Pasty. Best for: Signature dish the pasty. www.apexbakery.com.au

As its name implies, ScRoll Queen is a bakery devoted to the humble scroll. Though there’s no shortage of options when it comes to flavours; sweet tooths will love the cinnamon, or jam donut, while savoury lovers have the tomato and pesto. Not forgetting the bakery’s hybrid creation, the scrookie (that’s a scroll topped with a cookie for the uninitiated). Best for: Scrolls of all kinds. https://www.instagram.com/scrollqueenmtg/?hl=en

Within a quaint cottage in the Clare Valley sits the Clare Rise Bakery. So popular it’s just welcomed a second store, this family-run bakery sells armfuls of rustic indulgences. For lunch, grab one a Buttery Chicken Pie or Bacon Quiche, followed by a slab of double choc cheesecake or raspberry brownie. Best for: Rustic bakery classics. facebook.com/clarerisebakery1895

Leaning more towards the traditional is Yankalilla, where nostalgic baked goods dominate the menu. It’s no frills but the bakery’s creations are tried and true; tuck into hearty pies, sausage rolls, or a family-size quiche, or grab a generously slab of vanilla slice or donut to go. Best for: Old school baked goods. instagram.com/yankalillabakery/?hl=en

Housed in a heritage building that was once the local general store, Home Grain Bakery remains true to its country roots with traditional bakery classics, from sweet slices to hearty pies. The latter has a rotating line-up of flavours, with Home Grain’s Pie of the Month a changing celebration of local produce. Best for: Country classics www.facebook.com/HomeGrainBakery

Iconic is an understatement when it comes to this place, unquestionably one of the best regional bakeries in South Australia. With an ever-present line out the door, the Port Elliot Bakery is a popular place for locals and guests to the region alike, thanks to its uber creative pies and rotating line-up of donuts. Best for: Inventive donuts and pies www.portelliotbakery.com

Founded by German immigrant Helmut Trinkle in 1975, this Adelaide Hills establishment today remains in the family, with Helmut’s three sons running the ship. But the menu has expanded (exponentially) over the years; Lobethal still churns out German favourites, like chewy pretzels and sweet strudel, alongside creative donuts, stuffed sandwiches, rich celebration cakes, and housemade gelato. Best for: Traditional German favourites. instagram.com/lobethalbakery/?hl=en

Traditional ingredients and specialty grains form the focus for the sweetly styled Uraidla Bakery, where bread in all its forms is celebrated. Loaves like Honey Oat & Spelt to Light Rye & Caraway, and Ancient Grain, are all prepped and baked on site and delivered to many of the region’s restaurants. An array baked goods – decadent croissants, fruit-filled danishes, and deli-style sandwiches – are another daily occurrence. Best for: Artisan breads. www.uraidlabakery.com.au

Organic is a lifestyle rather than a statement at Hearth Breads. Ancient techniques are embraced, with each loaf created from organic or biodynamic flours, grains, and seeds, mixed with springwater. The result is moreish loaves with intriguing flavours; think Turmeric and Raisin Loaf, Black Rice & Sesame Seed Sourdough. There’s treats too; Basque cheesecake among them. Best for: Unique, organic breads and desserts. www.hearthbreads.com

Small but mighty, Kipling’s Bakery is a popular pit-stop from those on their way to the Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide. While there’s plenty of savoury baked goods to satisfy hunger pangs, like hearty pies and pasties, it’s the donuts for which Kipling’s is famous, classic cinnamon, and glossy iced chocolate included. Best for: Home-style donuts. www.facebook.com/p/Kiplings-Bakery

Best for: Tea time delights If nostalgic delights like swiss rolls and sponge cake are your cup of tea, then Sunrise Bakery will be right up your alley. Slices, pies, biscuits, donuts, muffins, and bread form the rest of the menu at this family-run venue, which now boasts a trio of outposts in regional South Australia thanks to its ongoing popularity. www.sunrisebakeries.com.au