The Best Ways to Spend Mother’s Day This Year

As any mother will tell you, Mothers Day is hands-down the most important day of the year. Here’s how you can make sure it’s one to remember.

Canberra

Autumn is a great time to discover the vast and beautiful array of native plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Entry is free and you can wander at leisure or take a guided tour. Top tip: Surprise mum with a massage or rejuvenation treatment using organic Australian products at the Gardens’ Jindii Eco Spa.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge her sweet tooth at one of Canberra’s specialist chocolate cafés. Try a fondue for two at Max Brenner, signature churros at Oliver Brown or hot chocolate and a range of delectable desserts at Koko Black.

Brisbane

Head to Handmade Redcliffe, the indie-craft market, which is holding a special Mother’s Day market weekend on May 7 and 8 at Reid’s Place, Scarborough, with high tea, brooch-making classes, a fresh flower stand and homemade lemonade. 

There’s also a plethora of Mother’s Day high teas on offer around the city with cakes, sandwiches, tea, champagne and gifts. Book your spot now at The Emporium, The Stamford Hotel or The Shingle Inn. The Sofitel features a guest appearance from Queensland Ballet’s Christian Tátchev, who will give his exclusive insights into the illustrious world of dance.

Sydney

A cruise on the harbour is an event to remember and there’s plenty of variation on the theme, from breakfast or elegant lunch to seafood buffets, on-board barbecues and the odd tribute band. Or if you’re confident on the water, hire a smaller boat and DIY.

Take high tea to a whole new level with the Mother’s Day High Tea Experience on the Luna Park Sydney Ferris Wheel. Sandwiches, sweet treats and Champagne will be served to your carriage (seats four).

Back on dry land, there aren’t many mothers who don’t enjoy a spot of retail therapy. Forget the malls and head to boutiques of Paddington and Surry Hills or the historic surrounds of the city’s QVB.

Melbourne

It’s the 18th birthday for the Melbourne Mothers Day Classic so pull on your trainers and raise money for breast cancer research. Book your spot online, then put on your joggers for the four-kilometre or eight-kilometre walk or run around the Tan.

Feeling virtuous? Time for a well-earned brunch. Across town you can choose a theme from old-world elegance at The Grand Hyatt; natural surrounds at The Botanical Dining Room; or an aquatic celebration at the Sea Life Aquarium.

Adelaide

Head to the Barossa Valley for a culinary coup: many of the wineries are holding special events. Book for a three-course lunch with live acoustic music at Jacob’s Creek; a high tea in the Ballroom at Barossa Chateau; or a Discovery Menu dinner at Hentley Farm.

Or you could see it all from the sky. For those who don’t mind an early start, a hot-air balloon flight over the valley at sunrise will add a dreamlike quality to the memories. A gourmet Barossa breakfast and (of course) wine tasting follows disembarkation.

If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground (and a clear head), explore the city on a walking tour. On Saturday May 7 you can do a Chocolate Walking Tour or a Cupcake and Dessert Walking Tour with Foodi.

Perth

Nothing says me-time like a day spa and WA is home to some of the best. The half day spa package at Keturah will see you pampered from head (facial) to toe (pedicure) and everywhere in between. Further afield at the award-winning Injidup Spa Retreat in the heart of the Margaret River region you can tailor-make your own blissful day-spa experience designed around your personal requests.

For mums to be there’s the Yummy Mummy Day Spa in the city that offers a range of pregnancy-friendly products and pampering services.

For something that involves a bit more fresh air (and the rest of the family), you can’t go past the Zootopia exhibition at Perth Zoo, with 19 automated, scarily lifelike dinosaurs lurking in the shadows.

Darwin

Register now for the 2016 Darwin Mother’s Day Classic four-kilometre or eight-kilometre run and walk along Mindil Beach towards East Point. You can also volunteer in a number of roles from cloakrooms and drinks stations to roving information officers.

Browse the handicrafts and artisan gifts at the Waterfront Saltwater Craft Fair where everything for sale – think candles, soaps, jewellery, textiles, homewares, ceramics and more – is made locally.

Or treat mum to an afternoon tea at the picturesque Botanical Café (minimum of six people) or the colonially elegant Burnett House, with its green surrounds and beautiful harbour views.

SEE ALSO: Afternoon Tea at Dunbar House