High tea and high notes for Mother’s Day in the Northern Rivers

FROM elegant high teas to paint-and-sip art classes and even an Elvis tribute show, the Northern Rivers is pulling out all the stops to celebrate mums this Sunday.

At Forest restaurant at Crystalbrook Byron resort, a luxurious gin high tea is debuting in collaboration with Cape Byron Distillery. Highlights include Brookie’s Gin–cured ocean trout with potato rosti and gribiche, mini scones with Brookie’s Dry Gin rhubarb jam and cream, and the restaurant’s famed 11-layer chocolate cake.

For mums who prefer bubbles, Azure Terrace at Elements of Byron resort is offering a champagne high tea experience. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Louis Roederer champagne or a signature mocktail, followed by a tiered high tea featuring delicate sandwiches, hot savouries, lemon meringue tart with finger lime, and live music to set the mood.

Treehouse on Belongil Beach is treating mums to a free margarita all weekend, while Loft in Byron Bay is offering them a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival for all Sunday lunch reservations.

Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting a Mother’s Day Paint and Sip session with local artist Cat Gerke. Participants can enjoy wine and a grazing platter while learning to paint native flowers from life. After the class, they can head to the new beer garden for Bubbles in the Bush, a boutique experience presented by Beachside Bubbles.

At the North Byron Hotel, mimosas take centre stage, with two lunch sittings and DJs spinning tunes all afternoon.

Mary G’s in Lismore will feature $16 cocktails and live music from local singer-songwriter Luke Vassella, while South Tweed Sports Club is offering a two-course menu including dishes like citrus and herb–marinated salmon fillet, a seafood plate and mango macadamia cheesecake.

For a touch of indulgence, Ivory Waterside has a special deal pairing a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne with six fresh oysters for $99.

And for mums who love a bit of flair, Ballina RSL is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch and an Elvis tribute show. Enjoy peach mimosas on arrival and live tunes from Guy Kachel at the brunch, which runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a performance from Elvis tribute artist Tristan James and the Australian Elvis Band.