National award winner Mick’s Bakehouse will be pitted against O’Brien’s Hot Bake on Morgan Street and South Wagga Bakery – as well as hundreds of bakeries around the country – in the bid to be crowned Australia’s best.

Each bakery is hoping to receive their customers’ vote online to put them in the running for the title.

Customers can vote for their favourite bakery www.australiasbestbakery.com.au up until July 31.

Every voter receives free movie rentals valued at $13 and all voters go in the draw to win Australia’s best rail adventure aboard The Ghan.

Pilot national marketing manager Hayley Daniel said local bakeries and hot bread shops had become an iconic part of Australian culture and deserved to be recognised.

“Grabbing a pie or bread roll from the bakery has become part of the ‘Aussie’ way of life and this competition aims to acknowledge the hard work of these bakers which often goes unrecognised,” Hayley said.

The bakery which receives the most overall consumer votes will win more than $16,000 in prizes, including Australia’s best rail adventure for two aboard The Ghan, $5000 cash and a public relations package valued at $2500, as well as the prestigious title of Australia’s best bakery.