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Restaurant

The Paddock Bakery Geelong

Federal Mills(W4): Under the Water Tower, 33 Mackey St, North Geelong VIC 3215, Australia

Recommended by 10 people

Updated

Find The Paddock Bakery Geelong

Federal Mills(W4): Under the Water Tower, 33 Mackey St, North Geelong VIC 3215, Australia

Directions ↗
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Paddock Bakery Geelong

Tucked under the historic Federal Mills water tower, this Gold Coast import pairs serious scratch baking with airy, open-air industrial grounds. Weekend crowds head straight for the open bakery window to watch bakers shape dough and fry brioche donuts before snagging a sunny courtyard bench. Regulars often lean toward savory staples like the Toad in the Hole with avocado and bacon, but the crackled crème brûlée donut—rich with vanilla custard beneath a torched sugar crust—remains the house obsession.

  • Open-Kitchen Baking: Guests can watch bakers handcraft rustic sourdough and fry batches of donuts through an open bakery layout.
  • Sprawling Mill Grounds: Set within historic Federal Mills, featuring shaded outdoor courtyard tables, a play area, and weekend live music.
  • Standout Pastries: The signature crème brûlée donut with torched sugar shell draws steady lines alongside house-baked sourdough.
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What's On at The Paddock Bakery Geelong

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Visit The Paddock Bakery Geelong

Why visitors choose The Paddock Bakery at Federal Mills for weekend escapes, milestone events, and travel stopovers.

  • Watch Artisan Bakers Handcraft Pastries

    Guests can watch pastry chefs and bakers handcrafted pastries and donuts directly on-site in an open bakery setting.

    It was also so much fun being able to watch the bakers at work—it really adds to the experience and shows the care and craftsmanship that goes into everything they make.

    crystal wood

  • Atmospheric Weekend Escape with Live Music

    Spacious indoor and outdoor mill grounds feature live weekend musicians, creating an atmospheric getaway feel.

    The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, and the live music on weekends gives the place such a beautiful vibe. It makes grabbing a coffee or sitting down for breakfast feel like a little escape.

    Ali D

  • Seamless Weddings and Milestone Gatherings

    A scenic heritage venue and attentive dedicated coordinators deliver seamless milestone celebrations and wedding ceremonies.

    The venue itself was beyond beautiful and created the most amazing atmosphere for our special day. Every detail was handled so seamlessly, allowing us to truly relax and enjoy every moment.

    Hayley Hodgson

  • Family and Group Friendly Grounds

    The mill campus provides ample room for group visits along with an outdoor natural playground for families with children.

    it’s a great spot if you have kids as well since there is an outdoor area and natural playground as well.

    Federico Anca

  • Convenient Spirit of Tasmania Stopover

    Positioned minutes from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, it provides a convenient stop for artisan takeaway breads and pastries before or after ferry crossings.

    We popped in here after getting off the Spirit of Tasmania, as it’s only a few minutes down the road, and we were so glad we did!

    Katie

  • Takeaway Sourdough and Treats for the Journey

    Travelers grab fresh loaves of signature sourdough and sweet treats to enjoy on the road or take home across the strait.

    Sitting at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal having just finished my jam donut (OMG) and got my sourdough in a bag to take home with me.

    Robby Red

Signature artisan pastries and bakery breakfast favorites

  • Crème Brûlée Donut

    The crème brûlée donut was the standout—absolutely outstanding and worth the visit on its own.

    Carl M

  • Toad in the Hole

    The Toad in the Hole was beautiful and absolutely delicious.

    Aptin B

  • Almond Croissant

    The best almond croissants I’ve ever had. I daresay they’ve ruined other almond croissants for me.

    Rachel Robertson

  • Ham and Cheese Croissant

    the ham and cheese croissant was absolutely perfect: super flaky, generously filled with ham, soft cheese (brie or camembert) and cooked to perfection!

    Katie

Other favorites

Savory staples, signature rolls, and specialty cafe beverages

  • Salmon Bagel

    I ordered the salmon bagel, and it was absolutely delicious—fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavour.

    crystal wood

  • Egg and Bacon Roll

    Well, I have eaten quite a few egg and bacon rolls in my time and this was… well a contender for the best ever. The sourdough roll was not what I was expecting.

    Owen L

  • Sausage Roll

    The sausage roll is A class.

    JJ Chen

  • Strawberry Matcha

    Food was delicious and the strawberry matcha was one of the best I’ve had in Geelong.

    Amelia Barnes

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful details and handcrafted experiences across the Federal Mills campus

  • Open Bakery Craftsmanship

    Guests can look into the bakery and watch bakers craft donuts and artisan pastries by hand throughout service.

  • Live Weekend Courtyard Music

    Weekend visitors can dine in the expansive historic mill courtyard accompanied by performances from live musicians.

  • Hands-On Wedding Coordination

    Dedicated on-site coordinators guide milestone events and weddings with attentive, seamless personal support.

  • Dedicated Gluten-Free Range

    The bakery offers an extensive, thoughtfully curated selection of gluten-free baked goods and menu options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the must-try menu items?

The bakery is famous for its sweet bakes and signature brunch dishes. Customer favourites include the crème brûlée donut, jam donuts, almond croissants, and savoury breakfast items like the Toad in the Hole and bacon and egg rolls. Portions are notably generous, with sandwiches often large enough to share or save for later.

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

The cafe is very popular and can draw queues on weekends and sunny mornings. To snag popular bakery items before they sell out and secure comfortable seating, visiting earlier in the morning—such as by 9:00 AM—is recommended, though the bakery maintains a large layout with plenty of tables indoors and outside.

Is there outdoor seating and entertainment?

Yes, there is extensive seating across the mill complex, including an indoor area with rustic tables and a fireplace for cooler days, plus a large outdoor courtyard shaded by trees. The outdoor section is popular in warm weather, welcomes families with a nearby natural playground, and regularly hosts live music on weekends.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Yes, the bakery offers a dedicated and thoughtfully curated range of gluten-free options alongside its traditional handmade pastries and sourdough breads.

Is there parking available on-site?

Yes, the venue features plenty of parking around the Federal Mills complex, though spaces can fill up quickly during peak brunch times and weekend events. Both free and paid parking lot options and street parking are accessible nearby.

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