At Careel Bay Shops in Avalon Beach, Oliver’s Pies remains open while the rest of the site moves towards change, with award-winning piemaker Daniel Roberts continuing to trade from 1 Careel Head Road until the end of his current lease.
Roberts has said he intends to keep making pies at the shop until the lease ends, which at this stage is the end of August 2026. No discussions have yet taken place with the owners about renewing the lease.
The bakery is now the last remaining trader at the site after other retailers left the premises because of an approved development application. Cranzgots Pizza Cafe has recently closed, leaving Roberts and his team continuing to serve customers from the Careel Bay Shops location.
Oliver’s Pies Remains Open in Avalon Beach
Oliver’s Pies continues to operate seven days a week from 6 am, offering pies, cakes, breakfast quiches and vegetarian options. The shop remains a morning stop for tradies heading north, with the business still trading as the colder months approach.
Roberts has operated Oliver’s Pies for 13 years and has worked in baking for 26 years. He began baking at 16 with his father, and his three brothers are also bakers.
The Avalon Beach business has built a strong awards record over that time. In 2017, Oliver’s Pies won five gold medals, including first place in the seafood pie category at the Great Aussie Pie Competition for its smoked fish pie. Roberts also received another four gold medals and five silver medals in that edition.
The bakery’s award history was again marked in 2023, when Roberts was pictured with gold medal certificates for his pies. His ideas come from home-style recipes, observing other bakeries and following trends in the pie industry.
Careel Bay Shops Site Set For Redevelopment
The future of the broader Careel Bay Shops site is tied to Development Application DA2024/1091, which covers demolition works and construction of a mixed-use development with basement parking, retail uses and a childcare centre at 1–3 Careel Head Road, Avalon Beach.
The application was submitted on 11 September 2024 and placed on exhibition from 30 June 2025 to 28 July 2025. It was determined on 4 September 2025, with approval granted after amended plans. The listed cost of work is $7,246,888.
The approved proposal includes one childcare centre and three retail premises. A separate entry for the childcare centre is now part of the plans.
A packaged liquor application for a Dan Murphy’s at 1–3 Careel Head Road was posted on 16 December 2025, with the submission period closing on 15 January 2026. That application remains under assessment.
Oliver’s Pies continues to trade from Careel Bay Shops, keeping the bakery open while the next stage for the Avalon Beach site remains ahead.
Published 27-May-2026
