Words by Chloe Cicero & Staff Writer
From high teas and grazing boxes to three course meals, these local businesses have you covered this Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12th) is just around the corner, and here at Forte, we want to make sure your mum has the best day ever.
Lucky for you (and your mum), the region is fuelled with awesome events and great places to take mum so we narrowed down a few of our top picks, from feasts, grazing boxes and high teas, to fun events and special treats.
Please note, at the time of writing bookings were still available but due to high demand, some venues may book out.
Just want flowers? Check out the best flower delivery places in Geelong
We’ll continue updating this list as we hear of more events on but for now, indulge:
Eating Out
Mount Moriac Hotel
The Mount Moriac Hotel is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner, with a much-needed complimentary glass of champagne on arrival for all the mums. Mother’s Day share plates are available between 11.30am – 2.30pm with the Garden bar open from 12pm. Enjoy $12 Aperol spritz’s from 2 – 4pm.
From 1:00pm – 4pm, you can sit back and relax with some live music featuring Shane Ezard, and to top off your mum’s special day, the hotel is hosting a Mother’s Day raffle at 3pm. Adding to the day, mums are treated to a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival.
Bookings are essential, call 5266 1372 or book online.
Mt Duneed Estate
If your mum has a taste for the finer things in life, book her to Mt Duneed Estate, and treat her to a two course shared lunch featuring burnt pork belly ends, and green rice prawns, then dig into a rosemary, red onion and lemon butterflied chicken, and a seared, roasted and slice beef picanha.
There are two sittings, with the first from 11am – 1pm, and the second from 2pm – 4pm.
Lunch is $69 per adult, and $19 for children.
Book online here.
Van Loons Cafe
The much loved Van Loons Café is hosting a Mother’s Day high tea.
With a range of savoury delights including tea sandwiches, caramelised onion and feta tarts, quiche Lorraine, bruschetta and arancini. Then to finish with the sweet side of life, there will be homemade scones, mixed berry cheesecake, lemon tartlets, and triple chocolate brownies – how can you pass this up?
The high tea is $85 per person and you can book here. If you can’t make it in, they’re also selling a bunch of grazing boxes (including a Mother’s Day high tea one) on the website.
Geelong Hotel
With brunch, lunch and dinner specials, how can you say no to this? And to sweeten the deal, there is a free glass of bubbles or coffee on offer for the mums.
If your mum is a brunch lover, treat her to an always popular avo on toast, smoked salmon, mushrooms or classic eggs.
If lunch or dinner is your mums thing, you can shout her a pan roasted king George whiting, or crispy pork belly, and top it off with a cheese plate and bottle of wine, or a chocolate & cherry semifreddo. In addition, GH is offering bottomless mimosas for $30pp.
Book online here.
The Inn
A free glass of bubbly or coffee and a special menu? Say no more.
Celebrate Mother’s Day 2023 at The Inn, with tuna tartare, Canadian scallops, barramundi fillet and a roast lamb rump on offer for the much deserving mum or role model in your life.
Book online here.
Fork N Flower
Fork and Flower are pulling out all the stops for mums special day, offering a special breakfast and lunch menu and a high tea option.
Breakfast and Lunch is $30 per person, and includes a big breakfast, smashed avo and bacon, Bangkok eggs and halloumi, chili crab scrambled and bacon, and Nong Khai Eggs for breakfast. On offer for lunch is pla neung khing, chicken penne carbonara, Vietnamese pork belly, buddha bowl and pork and prawn dumplings.
On the other hand, if your mum likes it a little bit fancy, high tea is $55 per person, and comes with a glass of Oakdene N.V sparkling Brut on arrival. To appeal to your mums sweet side, there will be scones, lemon tarts, orange and almond cake, berry cheesecake, chocolate biscoff cake. And to finish with some savoury, your mum can look forward to chicken wrap, bbq pulled pork sliders, and vegetable spring rolls.
Book and find out more here.
Tarra
Treat Mum to an unforgettable all day brunch at Tarra at the Queenscliff Ferry terminal from 9am – 3pm on Mother’s Day.
Executive Chef Michael Demagistris has created a unique menu. The three-course set menu is designed to share, making it the perfect gift with options including mini smashed avo, goat cheese and pomegrante, spanner crab rolls, Shakshuka baked eggs, house-made charcuterie platters and TARRA brunch magnum.
Adults $75, Children (12 years and under) $30
Book here.
At The Heads
Located at the river mouth in Barwon Heads, At The Heads is arguably one of the Bellarine’s most unique dining experiences with its magnificent views, friendly and efficient staff, and of course a great menu.
This year they’ll be celebrating mother’s day with a sumptuous two-course set menu feast, featuring seafood and plenty of share style menu options, unbeatable views, loved ones and exceptional service for $85 pp ($35 for children under 12). Available for lunch or dinner.
You’ll also get a glass of Fairbank rose on arrival.
Book here.
The Continental Sorrento
If mum doesn’t mind a trip on the ferry, why not treat her this Mother’s Day with the return of High Tea in the Grand Ballroom with a live string quartet to mark the occasion.
Indulge in a selection of sweet and savoury delights prepared by Scott Pickett and his talented team of chefs. Enjoy traditional scones with house-made jams and cream, finger sandwiches and delectable pastries served with speciality teas by Yugen Tea.
Mother’s Day High Tea will be held in the Grand Ballroom whilst they have both specials in at Audreys and in the Atrium.
Price: $110 per person. Book now via SevenRooms
Mr Grubb at Oakdene Estate
The Mr Grubb @ Oakdene bistro is located at the magnificent Oakdene Vineyards property on the Bellarine Peninsula, just 20 minutes from Geelong.
For Mother’s Day, Mr Grubb is running three sessions offering a three-course menu with a choice of three dishes for each course. Dishes include the likes of Shitake mushroom and vegetable spring rolls, panko crumbed prawns, Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, slow cooked red wine braised lamb shank and Belgium chocolate and orange tart.
$80 per person.
Book here.
Clyde Park Vineyard
If you’re looking to provide a feast for the Queen in your life, look no further than this Mother’s Day family-style grazing banquet feast.
Nestled into the heart of the Moorabool, overlooking the rolling hills all lined with vines, Clyde Park is a spectacular spot to grab a wine and a bite. With Mother’s Day celebrations incoming, across Friday 10 – Sunday 12 May the award-winning winery will be hosting a high tea three-course luncheon held in the Vue Marquee and a French affair dining experience in the barrel room with sessions running across the entire weekend. Level up your Mother’s Day gifting by adding a bouquet of flowers for mum when you book.
Book here. Or call the winery on 5281 7274.
Recess
Celebrate this Mother’s Day with a feast at Recess, Geelong’s home of free drag shows and gluten-free eats!
They are throwing two parties for mums and special ladies in our lives so you can choose your style of celebration. The first is a chef’s menu lunch with champagne cocktail on arrival from $85pp. Sessions are available downstairs at 12pm, 12.15pm or 12.30pm. The second option is going bottomless with a Drag brunch, where mum can make the most of the free-flowing cocktails, two course lunch and drag show all afternoon for $89pp. This one kicks of at 2pm upstairs in the Recess Bar.
Bookings are available for groups of up to 6 and can be made online here.
Novotel
Take mum to dine on the waterfront with gorgeous bay views while she enjoys yummy treats at Geelong’s Novotel with their Buffet Breakfast from 7am until 11am at $45 per adult and $25 per child (5 – 12 years). Kids under 5 eat free.
Or if lunch is more your style, indulge in the Mum’s Day Buffet Lunch. For $95 per person (kids $40 and under 5 free), mother’s will get a free drink on arrival while a lunch feast will take to the tables with seafood, roasts, delicious desserts and much more. The feast runs from 12pm to 4pm.
Book here.
Sawyers Arms Tavern
If you’re looking to treat mum to something serious delicious, Sawyers Arms is hosting lunch and dinner for Mother’s Day this year. With a dedicated menu including appellation oyster with vinaigrette, garlic prawns, red lentil dahl, beef cheek and creme brulee to top it off. This is a delicious option!
Whilst lunch is sold out (within 24 hours of announcement) dinner bookings are still available.
Book here.
Murphy’s
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day meal with a view, Murphy’s rooftop is the place to be! They’ll be running their usual a la carte menu with sparkling and cocktails flowing.
Book online or phone 5221 4335.
Gypsy Burger
Zeally Bay Road’s Gypsy Burger will be hosting an unconventional but true to brand Mother’s Day burger high tea. With live music from 3pm – 5pm from Ben Hynes and $15 Gypsy sours as they cocktail option what more could you want? Well, perhaps some flowers might be nice. Tick – they have that sorted with flower pitchers from Field. Flowers For Charge available to add on.
Bookings essential here.
Wah Wah Gee
Funky, fun and fresh. For the past few years, Wah Wah Gee has become one of the best places to go in Geelong to indulge in the bayside views, colourful décor and their mouth-watering Asian inspired dishes.
For Mother’s Day, Wah Wah Gee are hosting a Mother’s Day feed me lunch. Guests can enjoy a delicious shared style spread for $75 per person of some of their most popular dishes, potentially including the likes of their Crispy Chicken Bao Buns, Spring Rolls, Korean Fried Cauliflower, Dumplings.
Book online here.
Black Sheep Geelong
Black Sheep Geelong have swooped in with two options for celebrate mum. They will be hosting a Mother’s Day lunch including a highlights menu offering a selection of signature Black Sheep dishes with some new flavours too!. And it get’s better….they’re treating Mum to a complimentary glass of sparkling wine too because let’s be honest, they deserve it!
For any gin lovers, our ‘Sloe Berry Sour’ Mother’s Day cocktail is well worth a try, featuring Melbourne-distilled Patient Wolf ‘Blackthorn Gin’ and sweet berry tones.
Alternatively join their Mother’s Day Gin High Tea. This two hour session is complete with selected bottomless cocktails, sparkling wines, non alcoholic sips and sweet & savoury bites to snack on. From refreshing hand-crafted Seasonal G&T’s, Hugo Spritz or fruity faves like our passionfruit & vanilla infused Gin Star Martini, it’s sure to impress any Mum’s & Mother figures who enjoy a Gin or two!
Book online here.
Justin Lane
Burleigh’s much-loved pizzeria Justin Lane made the trip down South, bringing everything there is to love about the beach-facing Italian hotspot to the Geelong waterfront, including masterfully-crafted pasta made fresh in-house, gourmet sourdough-base pizzas, and salads perfect for sharing.
For Mother’s Day they’re running Feed Me dining at $55 per person.
Book online.
Leopold Sportsman
The Leopold Sporties is running a three-course Mother’s Day luncheon for the special day. For $70 per head, enjoy an eye fillet Mignon, or juicy chicken breast as well as homemade brownie or cappuccino panna cotta for dessert.
Book online.
Great Ocean Road Gin
This little gem is running an epic Mother’s Day banquet for lunch and dinner.
For $55, you’ll get four courses and a complimentary G&T or sparkling on arrival.
Book via OpenTable.
Other Dining Destinations Taking Bookings:
- Baah Lah Geelong
- Blank Space Cafe Geelong
- Anglesea Golf Club
- Bird Rock Mum Cha
- Splatters Cheese Bar
- Edge Geelong
- Malt Shovel Taphouse
- Warralily Cockatoo
- Pavilion Geelong
- Tomodachi
- Anh Chi Em
- Ceres Distilling Co
- Bob Sugar
- The Whiskery
- Roku Den
- Frankie Geelong
- Caledonia Shores
- Nova Balinese Kitchen
- Che Vuoi
- Centra Hotel
- Box Office Cafe
- I Ragazzi
- No 10 James Street
- Squires Loft (complimentary pink rose for mum)
Other Treats
Flower Bowl
Whether it’s a hug of hydrangeas or a pash of pastels, Flower Bowl is our go-to when it comes to showing someone we adore them!
Blooming since 2005, Flower Bowl has been setting the standard in floral creations that are super fresh, delightfully pretty and made with a whole lotta love. Just scroll through their Instagram and you’ll fall in love with their bright and playful arrangements. Now operating out of two locations and far more than your average flower shop, the Flower Bowl team select the freshest seasonal and luxe flowers direct from local growers for deliveries Monday to Friday, with same-day delivery available throughout Geelong, Surfcoast and Bellarine Peninsula if your order is placed by midday! They even offer free delivery to the two Geelong City hospitals.
For Mother’s Day, they’ve got a special range with beautiful flowers, as well as some packs with tantalising treats including premium wine, chocolates and pamper products.
Shop via Flower Bowl
Boxed and Boards Grazing Boxes
Offering graze boxes and graze tables, Boxed & Boards is the creation of Zara Ramia, spawned from a passion from creating memories for her family and friendly. Turning a hobby into a flourishing business, the grazing boxes are filled with the finest range of cheese, meats, fresh produce and accompaniments, with the option of adding in wine too!
The small graze is perfect if you’re looking for some brownie points on the day, with a box packed with Brie, Sopressa & Prosciutto, Crackers, Quince jelly, Chocolate, Pretzels, Mixed nuts, Dried & Fresh fruit, Marinated vegetables and Dip.
Order yours here.
Events
Mother’s Day Classic
Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year? Why not spend the day supporting thousands of Aussie mums struggling with breast cancer.
The beloved Mother’s Day Classic brings Australians together on Mother’s Day to celebrate and honour those affected by breast cancer and raise vital funds for breast cancer research.
Taking to Eastern Park, Geelong on Sunday 12 May 2024, there will be the buzz of the event village, live entertainment, music and food stalls to enjoy throughout the morning on Mother’s Day. The event offers a 4km and 8km walk or run, and you’re encouraged to donate or commit to fundraising when you register.
Be part of something bigger, we’re sure Mum will love it!
Register here.
Mother’s Day Gift Waurn Ponds
For something a little different, Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre is honouring all mothers and mother figures this Mother’s Day. Spend a total of $50 at specialty stores in Centre from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th May and receive a complimentary Ecoya Hand Cream Bon Bon.
Additionally, in partnership with Geelong Mum’s they will be hosting a shop and drop, encouraging customers to donate preloved or newly purchased items for local families in need. These donations are distributed to Geelong families experiencing hardship through Geelong Mums’ partnerships with maternal and child health nurses and local social service agencies.
Find out more here
Brush n Bubbles
The team at Brush n Bubble will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a Paint and Sip High Tea. The class will teach you how to paint an abstract portrait, allowing you and your mum to not only enjoy sending time together but to take home a sentimental keepsake!
Booking required here
If you know of any businesses running Mother’s Day events and want to give them a shout out, let us know!
Source: fortemag.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
