Banjo’s is coming to Helensvale

‘Best’ bakery in the works

A bakery chain known for eyecatching creations including spag bol, chicken parmi and double cheeseburger pies is cooking up its first outlet on the Gold Coast.

Work is under way at a site on Helensvale Rd in Helensvale on construction of a Banjo’s Bakery drive-through store.

Spokeswoman Karen Ahern said the company was “excited” to be opening on the Gold Coast, with the new bakery expected to serve its first customers towards the middle of the year.

“The new bakery at Helensvale will offer the full range of exceptional baked goods including, delicious pies, pastries, doughnuts, sandwiches and coffee, all available dine in or take away,” Ms Ahern said.

“Customers will be able to skip the queue and order via the Banjos app, plus catering is available for all occasions, including business meetings, celebrations, and family gatherings.”

As well as its regular menu, Banjo’s has made headlines in the past for the limited edition creations it introduces each year.

In June 2022 the bakery sold a spag p g bol pie p it said contained “comforting and filling spaghetti tangled with meaty bolognese sauce”. Last year it introduced a fairy bread meat pie.

The Helensvale store will be the first foray into the Gold Coast market for the company, which first opened in Tasmania in 1984 and now has more than 45 outlets across Australia.

Ms Ahern said the company was on the lookout for more sites in the city.

“As the Banjo’s network of stores continues to grow, we are always on the lookout for suitable sites and would love to have more stores on the Gold Coast in the future,” she said.

When it opens, the new Helensvale store was expected to operate from 4am to 6pm, seven days a week.

The news of the bakery’s arrival on the Gold Coast has been greeted warmly by many.

“Best bakery in Australia. It started in Tassie. I travel to buy their pies,” one Helensvale resident said.

“I’ve been praying for years the Gold Coast would have Banjo’s here and it’s finally coming.”

Another said the news brought back found memories.

“I used to live at the Banjos in Hobart in the late ‘90s,” they said. “It was the local hangout, so it’s nice to see it here.”

The Banjo’s Bakery store is one of two new drive throughs under construction in the area, with work also under way on a new Mcdonald’s outlet near the corner of the Gold Coast Highway at Discovery Drive.