OUR story

The Maldon Bakery is the oldest continuously running bakery in Australia.

Built in 1854 the traditional Scotch Oven was the first brick structure in Maldon.
It was built to feed the throngs of hungry gold miners who flocked to the region in their thousands.

The recently repaired Scotch Oven is being fired up for the first time in decades.

A team of expert bakers and pastry chefs who specialize in traditional baking methods will bring the region delicious bread, cakes, pies and pastries.

We are reviving old recipes and baking quality products. Our ingredients are of excellent quality and are locally sourced.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Evidence of continuous operation of McArthur bakery, Maldon, from 1854 to 2023.

A local researcher, was recently able to go through old rate books and other documentation, to track down historic operators of the Maldon Bakery. As it turns out, they discovered that the bakery has indeed been operating on the site continually since 1854 – an amazing 168 years of service to the Maldon community.

The claim of the oldest bakery in Victoria is currently held by a business in Willaura established in 1901, and the oldest in Australia by a business in Gundagai established in 1864. So it seems clear that Maldon Historic Bakery is indeed older than both of these.

(For more detailed information, see historical records retained by Maldon Museum, including Electoral and Rates Registers and past issues of the  Tarrangower Times).

1854 – George McArthur Sr. (c. 1809-1890) establishes the bakery in Main Street.

1870 – George McArthur Jr. (1842-1903) takes over the operation of the business.

1886 – George Jr. sells to brother Alexander McArthur Sr. (1841-1905), who runs the business until his death.

1905 to 1937 – Alexander McArthur Jr. (1871-1937), Colin McArthur (1881-1956) take over. Various family members, including their sister, Agnes McArthur (1869-1944), run the bakery and adjacent tearooms.

1937 – Colin McArthur retires. Bakery ownership passes to William Wood.

1937 to 1938 – Bakery owned and run by William Wood.

1939 to 1968 – John Alphonse Friedrich (1895-1972) owner and operator of the bakery.

1968 to 1972 – Leslie Harrop operates the bakery business as lessee of Friedrich.

1972 to 1980 – Bakery business owned by John Frederick and Joan Elizabeth Broad.

1980 to 2000 – Bakery business owned by Peter Cole.

2000 to 2005 – Bakery business owned by Dwayne McKinnon and Wilden Hopkins.

2005 to 2022 – Bakery business owned by Damien Bayliss.

Current – Bakery business owned by Rebecca Barnett.