It’s almost that time of year again, when mums across the country are celebrated and spoiled. And while there is always room for a breakfast served in bed and flower deliveries, adding something extra to take Mother’s Day up a notch will make this year one mum won’t soon forget.
So whether your mum is the artsy type, loves getting out in the great outdoors or prefers a more traditional treat, we’ve got something to ensure she has the best Mother’s Day ever. You can thank us later.
If Your Mum Loves The Outdoors
Paddle On Tassie’s Twin Rivers
Get back to nature this Mother’s Day on a spectacular whitewater rafting adventure along Tasmania’s pristine Huon and Picton Rivers. Nestled deep in the Apple Isle’s south, you’ll paddle past towering eucalyptus trees and ancient Huon pine, before tackling a series of class III rapids. It’ll get the heart racing but it’s nothing too extreme, and the almost five-hour trip is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness. All the gear and snacks are included, as is admission to the famous Tahune AirWalk – an elevated promenade suspended 30 metres above the forest floor.
Snorkel The Great Barrier Reef
If snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef has always been on your mum’s bucket list, it’s time to turn that dream into a reality. On this day trip from Cairns aboard a luxurious 35-metre superyacht, you’ll spend more than five hours in the water at a pair of locations, getting up close to cute, colourful fish and admiring the vibrant coral. Also included is a gourmet barbecue lunch and a team of expert guides keen to share their incredible knowledge about the reef and ensure you’re confident about taking the plunge.
Twin Rivers Winter Adventure
Snorkelling and Diving Cruise From Cairns
If Your Mum Loves Food and Wine
High Tea Cruise on Sydney Harbour
Nothing says Mother’s Day more than treating your mum to a serving of scones with jam and cream, and this year you can take it to the next level with a special high tea cruise on Sydney Harbour. The 90-minute voyage begins with a glass of champers, followed by a delicious spread of goodies that includes delicate desserts, finger sandwiches and free-flowing tea and coffee. Opt for a window seat and you’ll also have uninterrupted views of all the iconic Sydney landmarks, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison.
Winery Tour in Yarra Valley
Does your mum fancy herself an oenophile? If that’s a yes, then this full-day winery-hopping tour in the Yarra Valley is the ultimate Mother’s Day outing. Criss-crossing through the vines, you’ll indulge in tastings at four award-winning cellar doors, including Yering Farm, Balgownie Estate and Steels Gate Winery. The last stop is Domaine Chandon (the Australian outpost of Moët & Chandon), where you’ll embark on a private tour of the property, discover how sparkling wine is produced and enjoy a glass (or two!) of bubbles.
Sydney Harbour High Tea Cruise
Yarra Valley Winery Tour
If Your Mum Is The Crafty Type
Night Photography Workshop in Brisbane
This one’s for all the mums who love capturing life’s precious moments. Upon completion of this two-hour night photography workshop in Brisbane, your mum will know everything from how to use a camera’s manual control settings to being able to perfectly snap fireworks, dark skies and night-time portraits. There are no more than six people per class, which means plenty of time for one-on-one guidance with teachers who have more than 30 years’ experience. The only downside? Expect every family catch-up from now on to turn into an elaborate photo shoot.
Private Pottery Class in Sydney
Let your mum live out all her Ghost fantasies with a pottery class in Sydney. All the basics of ceramics are covered in this two-hour workshop, including why and how clay is prepared, the art of mastering the wheel, intricate techniques such as pinching, shaping and moulding, and the importance of glazing and firing your work. Don’t worry if none of that makes sense now; at the end of the class you’ll be a fully-fledged potter with a masterpiece or two to take home and show off.
Brisbane Night Photography Workshop
Private Pottery Workshop
If Your Mum Is All About The Adventures
Skydive Over The South Australian Coastline
Show your mum how much you love her this Mother’s Day by encouraging her to jump out of a plane! And no, we’re not kidding. At the historic South Australian port town of Goolwa you can take to the clouds on a tandem skydive. Prior to departure there’s plenty of time to meet the instructors, learn all about the equipment and receive a thorough safety briefing, and then it’s up, up and away in your aircraft. The views across the coastline are breathtaking enough to (almost) calm the nerves, before an exhilarating freefall at 220kph and a peaceful five-minute descent by parachute.
Airboat Ride in Darwin
Motoring-mad mums will find it hard to resist this Top End adventure: a high-speed tour of Darwin in a custom-built V8 airboat. Soak up the sights of Darwin Harbour and the surrounding mudflats and mangroves as you whiz past on a fast lap, before slowing things down for a bit so you can stop and admire the lush scenery, and keep an eye out for crocs, sea birds, sharks and stingrays. This one-hour thrill ride leaves from Stokes Hill Wharf, and a change of t-shirt is recommended as things can get wet, wild and very muddy.
Tandem Skydive in Goolwa
Darwin Airboat Tour
If Your Mum Loves Glitz and Glam
Harvest A Pearl in Perth
Blow Mother’s Day out of the water by giving your mum the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of harvesting her very own pearl, straight from the oyster. At Willie Creek Pearls in Elizabeth Quay, you’ll learn about the fascinating history of pearling while sipping a glass of Margaret River’s finest sparkling and sampling pearl meat – a rare delicacy. Then it’s time to harvest a pearl, the value of which could range between $500 and $5,000, but won’t be known until the oyster is opened. Once the big reveal takes place and the pearl is graded, it can be kept as is or turned into a spectacular piece of jewellery. After all, there’s nothing like a take-home souvenir to be reminded of a special experience.
Private Pearl Harvest Experience
If Your Mum Is A Wildlife Warrior
Explore The Daintree Rainforest
Escape to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world this Mother’s Day, in search of native wildlife and natural wonders. On this afternoon exploration of the magnificent Daintree Rainforest (you’ll be heading into the national park when other tours are departing) there’s an even higher chance of spotting crocodiles, cassowaries, snakes, frogs and bats, as these animals become much more active and inquisitive around dusk. Exploring this complex ecosystem on both foot and in a solar electric boat, you’ll also visit Cape Tribulation, wander along the Dubuji Boardwalk and cruise down the Daintree River.
Daintree Afternoon Nocturnal Tour
Book one of these things to do for mum with Webjet, or explore even more gift ideas for Mother’s Day. If the experience you think mum will love is interstate or needs an overnight stay somewhere, you can also book cheap flights around Australia, plus hotels, holiday packages and even car hire.
Hero image: Sebastian Coman Photography on Unsplash
