12 unexpected Mother’s Day ideas

With so many activities on offer in Melbourne and regional Victoria, there is no better excuse to move away from the traditional and do something completely different this Mother’s Day (8 May, 2016).

MelbourneBreakroomMother’s Day – the perfect opportunity for mothers to take a break. Something that Breakroom, a new Melbourne experience, offers in the most literal sense. This Collingwood warehouse provides visitors a baseball bat and a room full of things to break. Said to be a liberating and stress-busting experience, Breakroom is a fun way to start the day before hitting the many eateries of Gertrude and Smith Street for a ‘slap up’ Mother’s Day lunch. It could be a good idea to leave the little ones with their dad for this occasion.

Escape roomsPerfect for tweens, teens and adults alike, Escape Rooms are a thrilling experience that families can enjoy together. These real-life puzzles lock two or more players in a themed room, where they must solve brain-teasers to crack a series of codes and escape before time runs out. Rooms range in difficulty with themes including: Prison Break, Biohazard Spills, Vampire Chronicles, Safari Jungle, Endless Dreams and Wonderland. Slick, fully immersive and great fun, rooms can be booked at a variety of places around town such as Escape Room International, Escape Hunt, Escape Room Australia and Escapism.

Eau De Vie Whisky and Cheese NightFor something different, mums can avoid the Sunday lunchtime crowds and go out with the family on a Tuesday instead – at Melbourne’s coolest, prohibition style cocktail bar, Eau-de-Vie. Down an unassuming laneway off Flinders Lane, Eau-de-Vie offers guests a whisky and cheese degustation. Mum can choose her favourite five cheese tasters from the huge selection and staff will match five whiskies to taste alongside.

Eureka Skydeck Mums can live the high life this Mother’s Day with a new experience at Eureka Skydeck: The Walk. Those who are game can imagine what it would be like to walk from one point of the tower to the other on a tightrope suspended high above the city of Melbourne – all with the help of the new green-screen activity. The whole family can get in on the action to see who can capture the most realistic image of themselves as they perform the daring feat.

Singing in the RainComing to Melbourne first (May 7, 2016) to kick of its Australian tour, this sell out West End Theatre production of Singing in the Rain will be sure fire hit with mums in Melbourne this Mother’s Day. The iconic choreography of one of the world’s most beloved Hollywood movies is brought to life at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre as 12,000 litres of water crashes down on the cast each performance. Sure to make a big ‘splash’ and starring Australian’s own Adam Garcia.

Daylesford and Macedon RangesPiper St Food Co Cooking SchoolFor mothers who love all things food, cooking and culinary, the boutique culinary hub of Kyneton has it all, and is easily reached by train or by car. For an interactive family experience to remember, the Piper St Food Co Cooking School offers private classes from two to five hours in duration for small groups. Specialities include pasta making, bread making, preserves and charcuterie.

Daylesford BallooningDaylesford is best known as Australia’s premier spa country – but for something different this Mother’s Day, families can tick an item off the bucket list and book a hot air balloon flight over the rolling hills, rich red volcanic soils, beautiful blue waterways and green forests of Daylesford. The experience is safe, comfortable, tranquil and followed by a five-star champagne breakfast of local produce and wine.

GoldfieldsBendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn MonroeMother’s Day is a great excuse to get along to Bendigo’s latest blockbuster exhibition. Bendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe (5 March – 10 July 2016) is a world first exhibition that celebrates the life of one of the world’s most loved film stars ever to have graced the silver screen. The exhibition brings together authentic artefacts, clothing and other objects belonging to, or worn by, this universally-recognised screen siren.

Yarra Valley and the Dandenong RangesBicycle tour of the Yarra ValleyPedals Australia is a new service that can drop off and pick up mountain or trail bikes anywhere in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Riders can set their own location for bike drop off and pick up, or go on a self-guided tour. Whether it’s a long lunch of local produce or a physical mountain bike challenge – two wheels is an ideal mode of transport to explore the hills, valleys, wine and produce of the region at one’s own leisure.

Geelong and the Bellarine PeninsulaWarbird Adventure FlightsMums beware – this is not for the faint-hearted. It is however, the chance of a lifetime for anyone who has ever wanted to ride in a powerful prop driven fighter aircraft, just like the aces of yesteryear. Departing from Barwon Heads, or Melbourne, guests will board the Nanching CJ-6A – a WWII era fighter craft, which accelerates to 300km per hour in under five seconds. Mum can choose from aerobatic adrenalin flights or scenic romantic flights to enjoy the views of Victoria’s best beaches and the Great Ocean Road.

Stand up Paddleboard lessonPossibly the last opportunity to get in the water before the cold weather hits, stand up paddleboarding lessons are now being offered by WSUP at Geelong waterfront, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads River. Lessons are a fantastic way to spend time with mum and learn something new together. SUP is easy to learn, and they guarantee that customers will be able to stand up in their first lesson. WSUP regularly conduct classes for families with qualified instructors.

Mornington PeninsulaMake your own sparkling wineMums can make their own blend of Foxeys Wine at the intimate Foxeys Hangout cellar door. Guests join sparkling winemaker Michael Lee for a private tutorial in the final stages of making fine sparkling wine. Mum can observe disgorgement, select her own dosage and the base wines (chardonnay? pinot noir?) to “finish” the blend. Personal bottlings are available by appointment at 11am every Saturday and Sunday.