I’ve never met a mum who doesn’t love a good High Tea, and why not, some traditions never get old. Sipping a delicately brewed cup of tea while sampling delicious sweet treats is the perfect Sunday afternoon pastime.
This Mother’s Day, traditionalists can enjoy a classic high tea selection, while more adventurous mums might opt for a high tea with a twist. Swap out tea for a fancy mocktail or glass of bubbly. For a side of interesting scenery with your scones, why not enjoy a high tea by the sea, on the sea or even in an aquarium!
If you haven’t made a booking for this Sunday yet, it’s time to get your skates on!
Image credit: Park Hyatt Melbourne
Here’s a selection of High Teas to enjoy in Melbourne and further afield if you fancy a nice day trip with your mum.
Classic Mother’s Day High Tea
- Windsor Hotel
The five-star Hotel Windsor has been serving traditional afternoon tea since 1883. Guests delight in sparkling wine, bottomless specialty tea and coffee, French pastries, finger sandwiches, scones served with jam, lemon curd and double cream and a lavish dessert buffet. Such is the demand on Mother’s Day that an incredible eight sittings are held across three rooms at the hotel. 111 Spring Street, Melbourne +61 3 9633 6000 - Hopetoun Tea Rooms
Tucked away in Melbourne’s charming 19th century Block Arcade, the high tea at Hopetoun Tea Rooms is served on a three-tiered stand including a selection of sandwiches, signature petit fours, seasonal fruit and fabulously fresh-baked scones. Shop 1 & 2, 282 Collins Street, Melbourne +61 3 9650 2777 - Langham Hotel
The Langham is renowned for its bespoke afternoon teas. This timeless ritual is celebrated with beautiful cakes, delicate ribbon sandwiches and petite fluffy scones. The hotel’s opulent Aria Lounge provides the ideal ambient setting for an afternoon of indulgence. 1 Southgate Avenue, Southgate +1800 641 107 - Fortnums High Tea Sassafras
Fortnums is set in the heart of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, in the pretty-as-a-picture village of Sassafras just an hour’s scenic drive from Melbourne. As well as the specialty shops and the village offers one of Victoria’s most popular high teas. Fortnums overlooks the spectacular ranges and is the perfect setting for the indulgent high tea experience. The sumptuous selection includes hot and cold savories and ribbon sandwiches, followed by delicious scones and petite cakes, all prepared in-house and served on tier stands with pattern bone china. 395 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras VIC 3787, +61 (03) 9755 1200. - Mansion SocieTEA: High Tea at Werribee Mansion Hotel and Spa
Every Sunday afternoon at the Mansion Hotel and Spa, T2 and Mansion Hotel present High SocieTEA; an exclusive series of high teas. A lavish spread of sweet and savoury delicacies is on offer. Bookings are essential, and sittings occur every Sunday at 3pm. Please note, after Sunday 12th May, High Tea will resume in Spring/Summer 2019 Gate 2, K Road, Werribee (03) 9731 4000
Hopetoun Tea Rooms Image credit: Paul Philipson
Mother’s Day High Tea with a Twist
- Mary Eats Cake
Just a 10-minute drive from the city in Brunswick, this cosy tea cafe is the perfect setting to enjoy an amazing array of hand blended teas, and vegetarian canapés. If tea isn’t your thing, try one of their delicious mocktails. Space is limited so get in quick as weekend sittings book out fast. Read our full review of Mary Eats Cake (formally Impala & Peacock) 558 Sydney road, Brunswick, +61 3 8394 5661 – Now also open in Montrose! 13 Leith Road, Montrose.
- National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery’s Tea Room puts an artistic spin on the traditional high tea, with macarons, éclairs and a delectable array of cakes and savouries served among the stunning artworks. The Tea Room, Level 1, National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Southbank, +61 3 8620 2431 - Mother’s Day High Tea at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Spend Mother’s Day enjoying a delightful high tea at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium surrounded by beautiful sea creatures. Enjoy a glass of bubbles or a mocktail on arrival, before indulging in an array of tasty treats in the Coral Atoll zone, which is home to a variety of exotic multi-coloured fish. The special Mother’s Day high tea lunch menu includes finger sandwiches, hot canapés, scones and petit fours. Tickets include full access to the aquarium so families can wander through the Coral Caves, Mermaid Garden and Penguin Playground before and after their high tea experience. Cnr King & Flinders streets Melbourne. Book online
Image credit: Craig’s Royal Hotel, Ballarat
High Teas Further Afield – Regional Victoria
- High Tea on the High Seas – Searoad Ferries
Searoad Ferries services are normally busy ferrying travellers from the Sorrento end of the Mornington Peninsula to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, and back – but with the High Tea on the High Seas package, you don’t need to have a destination in mind. While watching the scenery of the peninsula slide by, you and your mum can enjoy a selection of exquisite sweet and savoury treats. The bespoke two hour experience offers regional produce from both peninsulas, including a glass of sparkling wine, tea or coffee. High Tea on the High Seas packages include immediate return travel on the same ferry for a leisurely experience. High Tea Departures 11am & 2pm from both Queenscliff and Sorrento Bookings (03) 5257 4500. - Time & Tide High Tea by the Sea
A spectacular champagne High Tea experience with a towering assortment of cakes and savouries all with a magnificent view of the Southern Ocean. Enjoy a glass of sparkling rose before you select from the extensive tea menu. You’ll be wowed by the spectacular selection of hot and cold savouries, cakes, scones, tarts, mousses and the most amazingly pretty cream filled meringues. Read our full review of Time & Tide 21 Thistle Place. Port Fairy, +61 3 5568 2134 - Craig’s Royal Hotel
Located in Ballarat, this is one of Australia’s grandest Victorian-era hotels where high tea and scrumptious deserts are served in vintage dining rooms adorned with lavish crystal chandeliers. 10 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, +61 3 5331 1377 - Woodman Estate
Nestled in the Mornington Peninsula this luxurious country manor serves high tea complemented by sweet and savoury pastries, delicate cakes and luscious slices. Fancy a relaxing soak in a natural mineral spring? Why not book the Peninsula Hot Springs package for the ultimate Mother’s Day indulgence. 136 Graydens Road, Moorooduc, +61 3 5978 8455
Time & Tide High Tea by the Sea, Port Fairy
PIN FOR LATER!
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