Ballarat’s Best Pie has wrapped up for 2026 with record-breaking success, reinforcing the campaign’s value as a powerful driver of regional visitation and local business growth.
This year’s People’s Choice Award, as voted by pie lovers travelling from across Victoria and beyond to sample Ballarat’s diverse pies, was claimed by Emma’s Bakery with its Meredith Dairy goat deluxe pie. Taking second place was Mrs Browne Bakes with its Banana and honey miso caramel gold fever hand pie. And in third place was Sovereign Hill with its Slow-cooked blade steak pepper pie. The campaign generated strong engagement throughout its duration, further cementing Ballarat’s reputation as a leading food tourism destination.
A standout achievement for 2026 was the total number of pies sold, with participating businesses collectively selling a record 23,000 pies during the campaign. The result highlights the growing popularity of the annual event and the strength of collaborative destination marketing in attracting visitors to the region. The campaign continues to showcase Ballarat’s thriving hospitality sector while encouraging visitors to explore new venues and culinary experiences.
Several businesses emerged as top performers throughout the campaign, with a good mix across both the sweet and savoury categories. Top performers included Flying Chillies, Hideaway, Mrs Browne Bakes at Prey, Turret Bakehouse and Cookie Cult, each recording impressive sales and strong customer support. The diversity of participating venues, from bakeries and cafés to restaurants and tourism attractions, demonstrates the broad appeal of the campaign and its ability to engage both locals and visitors.
Beyond pie sales, Ballarat’s Best Pie continues to deliver significant benefits across the wider visitor economy. Visitors travelling to the region for the campaign also supported accommodation providers, retailers, attractions, cafés and other local businesses, helping to spread economic benefits throughout Ballarat and surrounding communities.
The campaign is another example of how destination-led food experiences can encourage longer stays, increase visitor expenditure and create positive outcomes for businesses across the region, further strengthening Ballarat’s position as a premier tourism destination in Victoria.