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Overview
Few things in life are better than a long weekend getaway with your mates accompanied by excellent views and quality brews. So, where are the best road trip stops for stocking your picnic along the route? We asked, and you answered. There's no better recommendation than a recommendation from a mate, and we consider you all to be the sharpest mates out there, dear readers.
So here are choice spots to stop along your route for tasty grub — and a bev from your local The Bottle-O — as recommended by you.
As a side note and a hint of things to come, we're pleased to see that sausage rolls will never go out of fashion.
The Baker's Duck, Toowoomba QLD
Are you keen on a trip out to the lovely Darling Downs region for a long weekend? Home to great beef farming, famous gardens, top produce and epic escarpment views, if you're out that way, you won't have to go far to pack your picnic bag or stock your esky.
Head to Toowoomba, Queensland's 'Garden City', which boasts the best of the Darling Downs. While you're there, don't miss out on the quality pastries and pies at The Baker's Duck, as recommended by Concrete Playground reader Steve: "Top choices for a road trip feed are definitely the chunky beef and mushroom pies or the pork and apple sausage rolls."
Once you've stocked up on bakery classics, hit Picnic Point to take in those great views over a bottle of regional plonk or some cider.
Closest The Bottle-O: Toowoomba
Les Nôtres, Riddells Creek VIC
This long weekend, Melburnians up for a hit of fresh country air should head to the Macedon Ranges. Village vibes, a booming local arts scene and farmers' markets stocked with local goodies are all on the cards.
Don't miss a visit to Les Nôtres (which is French for 'ours', but once you see the food, you'll be thinking 'mine'), recommended by our Vic-based reader Sarah: "They have the best croissants and these excellent lemon curd cruffins and hazelnut praline eclairs that I can never say no to." We're sold.
You can find Les Nôtres at a bunch of markets or the pop-up in Riddells Creek. Stock up and pair them with a lager or chilled white wine from Romsey's The Bottle-O once you hit your campsite or accommodation. Hot tip: While you're in the area, if you're up for an adventure, go explore Lerderderg State Park for a good chance of spotting koalas.
Closest The Bottle-O: Romsey
Bred Co, Albany WA
If you're in Perth, Pemberton or Margaret River and keen on a coastal drive over the long weekend, Albany is a cracking weekend getaway spot boasting spotless white sand beaches and 'gram-worthy granite cliffs.
Stock up on local brews and wines at Centennial Park's The Bottle-O, then swing by Bred Co, a hyperlocal bakery with a particularly loose menu item that comes recommended by our IG follower Blake: "You should go there for the beef sausage roll with béchamel cheese, life-changing!''
Once you're set for drinks and eats, all you need to worry about is enjoying those stunning coastal vistas around Albany.
Closest The Bottle-O: Centennial Park
Uprising Bakery, Newcastle NSW
Sydneysiders, are you heading north this long weekend? Myall Lakes National Park is popular for its views, cheap campsites, epic sand dune beaches and kayaking on the lakes — even better when enjoyed with baked goodies from Uprising Bakery in Newcastle as recommended by reader Kate: "Pork and lemon preserve sausage roll — it doesn't get better than that. Maybe the brownie slab."
Maybe? How about definitely.
Check Lambton's local The Bottle-O to pick up some drinks to enjoy as the sun sets across the sand dunes after you arrive. Bliss.
Closest The Bottle-O: Lambton
Bruny Island Cheese Co, TAS
Tasmanians or the Tasmania-bound, grab your mates and hop a barge to Bruny Island to enjoy the rugged coasts, wild nature and secret coves. Bruny is wonderfully untouched, which means you're definitely not getting any local sparkling delivered via UberEats, so before you leave the Tassie mainland, make sure you stock up at The Bottle-O in Margate.
When you arrive at Bruny, check out the famous Bruny Island Cheese Co., as recommended by reader Tom (and every member of Concrete Playground's team who've done a stint in Tassie): "The best cheese in all of Australia, you can't change my mind."
There are plenty of accommodation options on the island, but you can embrace the elements by staying at one of the park's campgrounds at Cloudy Bay or Jetty Beach so you can toast with your mates and scoff cheese as the sun sets over the water.
Closest The Bottle-O: Margate
Wherever the road leads you on your weekend adventuring, find your nearest The Bottle-O and stock up on some standout bevs. Ready to start planning? Head to the website.
Top image: Bred Co.