How to Celebrate Mother's Day on the Gold Coast

If you want to spoil you Mum on Mother's Day, the Gold Coast has the goods! While mugs and candles are lovely, an experience is the best gift - one she can share with the family is even better! Fill up her cup and make it a Mother's Day to remember. Whether she’s a foodie, culture buff, nature lover, day spa devotee or thrill-seeker, we've got you covered with the perfect Gold Coast experience to make her feel special.

High tea at HOTA

Celebrate the first lady in your life with an unforgettable high tea at HOTA and a stroll around the incredible Gallery filled with inspiring art. HOTA's Signature High Tea is served on Level 5, where you'll be treated to a tempting spread of delicious delicacies, cakes, pastries, macarons and sandwiches. You can also feast your eyes on the marvellous views of the city spread out beneath you. After a heavenly high tea experience, wander the Gallery and then treat Mum to a unique gift from the HOTA Shop.

Be enchanted at Astra Lumina

When the sun sets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, step into the cosmic wonderland of Astra Lumina. Take a nocturnal stroll through the rainforested grounds at night, on a path illuminated by kaleidoscope of light and colour and mesmerising installations merging with soundscapes and projections. It's a completely unique and awe-inspiring experience that will take around 90 minutes.

Soak up the serenity at Greenhouse Bathhouse

Treat mum to a soak, sauna and steam in tranquil surrounds at Greenhouse Bathhouse. Nestled within Tallebudgera Valley, book a 90-minute healing sesh which allows you to move between the facilities. If you want to score serious brownie points with mum, add on a massage, followed by a nourishing lunch at the on-site plant-based restaurant. 

Pack a picnic

Endless stretches of golden sand to rainforests filled with waterfalls - the Gold Coast is home to some of the most magical picnic spots in the world, and it’s one of the best ways to celebrate Mother’s Day for next to nothing. Fill a basket with all of mum’s favourite foods, and spread out a picnic run in the sunshine at one of these epic spots.

Free Photo Booth at Sanctuary Cove

Sanctuary Cove is making memories on Mother's Day (Sunday May 10) with a free retro Kombi photo booth on the Village Green, right in front of Pablito's. Capture a special moment with Mum and get a complimentary printed photo as a keepsake. Cute! No bookings are required so just drop by - combine with a visit to one of Sanctuary Cove's restaurants or pick up from premium pastries from Rise Bakery. 

Shop 'til you drop at Harbour Town Preimium Outlets

With over 200 stores offering up to 70% off, enjoy some retail therapy with mum at Harbour Town Premium Outlets. There’s plenty of high street stores to check out (think: Assembly Label, Peter Alexander and Billini), plus luxury brands if you really want to splash out, like Camilla, Coach and Michael Kors. Plus there’s a bunch of tasty restaurants to fuel up at pre or post shopping spree. 

Brunch and SUP sesh at Tarte Beach House

Start the day right with mimosas for mum at Tarte Beach House. Perched on Currumbin Creek’s sparkling azure waters, this Hamptons-style spot serves up flaky pastries and innovative brunch dishes that mum will love. Post meal, fight off the food coma with a paddle - Tarte rents SUP boards straight from the cafe. 
 

Enjoy a deluxe spa treatment at One Spa

Mum’s shoulders will drop the moment she steps inside One Spa at RACV Royal Pines. Surrounded by serene grounds, she’ll melt into a blissful state with a luxe ritual like ‘Driftaway’ - a three-hour escape that includes a body scrub, wrap, massage and facial. 

Explore the waterways with GoBoat

For a Mother's Day with a difference, why not surprise Mum with an afternoon on the water in a self-drive electric picnic boat. These 8-seater GoBoats are cute and comfortable, and putter along at a sedate speed. The best bit is you don't need a boat licence to drive them. So make Mum captain for a day (she can even get a Captain's hat to make it official) and take to the waterways! Glide through scenic canals, see the sights and soak in skyline views. BYO picnic and drinks for a truly enjoyable outing with your Mum. 

Head sky high on a hot air balloon ride

For a truly bucket list worthy moment with mum, climb aboard a hot air balloon ride and score breathtaking views from the coastline to the hinterland. To make the experience one she’ll never forget, round out the ride with a champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Vineyard in their grand homestead.

Tee off with Mum 

Challenge mum to a round of golf - big or small - this Mother’s Day at one of Gold Coast’s best courses. If you’re looking for laughs, then head to Putt Putt Mermaid Beach with 18 colourful courses, plus there’s a licensed 19th hole so you can treat mum to a crisp vino at the end. If she wants to get her swing on, head to Parkwood Village for their par 70 championship course suitable for all player levels.

Cook up a farmers market feast

The Gold Coast is bursting with incredible foodie markets, making a Mother’s Day feast at home a total breeze. From the hinterland to the coast, fill your basket with warm loaves of sourdough, local cheeses and meat, straight-from-the-trawler seafood and vibrant fruit and veg. 

Festival on the Farm at Paradise Country

Head to Paradise Country for their annual Festival on the Farm - a family-friendly way to celebrate Mother's Day. As well as the usual attractions and adorable animals, lucky mums will be treated to live music on the lawn, a cocktail bar and food truck feasting. The kids will be kept entertained with face painting, interactive challenges and tractor rides. The perfect day out!

Parasail above the sea

If mum’s a bit of a daredevil, get her adrenaline pumping with a parasailing session over the stunning Gold Coast waterways. Soar 400 feet above the Broadwater, basking in 360-degree views of the city skyline, hinterland and ocean. But mum doesn’t have to sail solo, there are tandem and triple parasail options available too. 

Treat her at Gold Coast’s fine dining restaurants

The Gold Coast’s foodie scene is absolutely brimming with award-winning restaurants, so this Mother’s Day, treat Mum to a delicious adventure. Think long seaside lunches at Rick Shores (hello, bug rolls), or candlelit dinners at Restaurant Labart. Want something cosy? Book a table at The North Room - just 28 seats of pure charm - or graze your way through a banquet at Social Eating House (pictured).

A day in nature at O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards

Head to this scenic vineyard with a pretty creek running through it for a special Mother's Day experience in nature. Treat her to a curated three-course picnic basket from O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards complete with a bottle of wine or sparkling. Settle in, soak up the sunshine and enjoy live music as you graze. For the cherry on top, book an alpaca experience at Mountview Alpaca Farm, which is located in the vineyard - some time spent with an adorable creature will make her day! 

Book her a massage at Chuan Spa at The Langham

Let mum bliss out in total luxury at The Langham’s premium wellness experience - Chuan Spa. A sanctuary of calm, here she can indulge in Eastern treatments, guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Book her in for Chuan Awakening, a two-and-a-half-hour treatment that includes an aromatherapy hair mask, signature massage, plus a hand and foot treatment. 

Explore Tamborine Mountain 

Get mum amongst nature with a wander through Tamborine Mountain’s magical trails, where waterfalls roar, and rock pools beckon you to take a dip. For something a little less rugged, don’t miss the stunning Botanic Gardens. After exploring, refuel in the postcard perfect village packed with cosy cafes, restaurants and cute boutiques. 

Need more ideas for Mother's Day? Check out the top spots for a Gold Coast high tea.