Best Mother’s Day high tea

Some traditions never get old, and sipping a delicately brewed cup of tea while sampling delicious sweet treats is one of them. 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, such as gin or coffee in place of tea, or high tea on the high seas. Whatever you choose, Victoria has something to spoil every mum.

Classic high tea

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. The Tea Salon at Emporium Melbourne Treat mum to a spot of retail therapy before stopping to refuel at the Tea Salon located at Emporium, Melbourne’s retail wonderland. The lavish high teas include an assortment of ribbon sandwiches, sweet treats and an impressive top 10 menu of scones which can be purchased in beautiful boxes to take home. Emporium Melbourne, Level 2, 295 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne +61 3 8609 8188
5. Cafe Vue at Heide Afternoon tea has a long tradition at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, just a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Visit Café Vue for the delicious dessert buffet, themed according to the current Heide exhibition series. Afternoon tea is served every weekend. Café Vue at Heide, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen +61 3 9852 2346

High tea with a twist

1. Market Lane Bar Melbourne is the coffee capital of Australia, and visitors can enjoy a modern twist on the classic afternoon tea with high coffee served at the Market Lane Bar, part of the InterContinental Melbourne hotel in the iconic Rialto building. Start proceedings with an espresso martini, followed by the coffee of mum’s choice and a luxurious selection of sweet and savoury morsels. 495 Collins Street, Melbourne +61 3 8627 1400
2. G&Tea Gin Garden Just a 10-minute drive from the city in Fitzroy, the airy garden here is a little oasis swathed in pastels and pretty flowers, the perfect setting to enjoy tea and canapés or even a sneaky cocktail prepared by award winning mixologist Andy Griffiths. High tea consists of a choice of sweet and savoury handmade canapés served on delicate towers, or try a charcuterie or artisan cheese board. 100 Kerr Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9417 7574
3. High tea on the high seas Searoad Ferries transports visitors between Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula and Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. Every Sunday travellers can enjoy an exquisite range of cakes and desserts while making the journey across the bay. The experience is $45 per person, which includes return travel. +61 3 5258 3244
4. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel Sip on divine tea, munch on homemade scones, taste delicious sandwiches and indulge in delectable chocolate éclairs while taking in the breath taking 360 degree view across the vast planes of Melbourne and regional Victoria. Ozmosis Harbour Town, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands, +61 3 8688 9688
5. 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

Regional highlights

1. Vue Grand Hotel Beyond Melbourne, just a 90-minute drive away on the Bellarine Peninsula, the Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff summons the grandeur of a bygone era. The majestic grand dining room sets the scene for a truly decadent high tea experience. Relish a glass of Pimms or sparkling wine, before sipping the perfect cup of tea and enjoying delicate canapés. High teas are held monthly. 46 Hesse St, Queenscliff +61 3 5258 1544
2. Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel Why not make a day of it this Mother’s Day with a trip to Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel in Hepburn Springs, 90 minutes from Melbourne. Enjoy a whole day of indulgence, starting with elegant high tea and all the trimmings, followed by a spa treatment on site at the Mineral Spa. 124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs +61 3 5348 2202
3. 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
4. Chateau Yering Every Sunday, Chateau Yering serves local produce accompanied by Yarra Valley wines in a beautiful historic garden setting. 42 Melba Highway, Yering, +61 3 9237 3333
5.  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.136 Graydens Road, Moorooduc, +61 3 5978 8455

Other tea time favourites

• Myer’s Mural Hall, Melbourne
• Oriental Teahouse, various locations in Melbourne
• Sofi’s Lounge at The Sofitel, Melbourne
• Collin’s Kitchen at Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
• Mamor Chocolates & High Tea Salon,  Collingwood (Melbourne)
• Storm in a Teacup, Collingwood (Melbourne)
• Impala and Peacock, Brunswick (Melbourne)
• Lady Lavender’s Tea Room, Bunyip (Gippsland)
• Lindenderry at Red Hill, Red Hill (Mornington Peninsula)