Top five afternoon teas worth the drive
Afternoon tea, high tea – whatever you call it, we think afternoon sustenance provides a hard-to-beat excuse for a pleasant rural drive to enjoy your local countryside.Of course with the promise of lashings of cream as your reward, hope in the car and make an afternoon of one of these delightful locations.
NSW
The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains
If you haven’t seen the re-opened Hydro Majestic, and don’t have a lot of time to enjoy the flamboyant grandeur of this grand old dame of a hotel, a Blue Mountains Afternoon High Tea is a cost-effective short-cut. A surprisingly easy drive from just about anywhere in Sydney, ‘The Hydro’ turns-on tiered trays of pastries, finger sandwiches and scones all with amazing view of the Megalong Valley. Naturally, Aussie or French bubbles are offered. You can even have your fortune read via tarot cards or your tea leaves - a decadent and possibly life-changing afternoon tea.
Victoria
Searoad Ferries Queenscliff-Sorrento
This is a bit out there, but if you can’t decide whether to drive to the Mornington Peninsula or the Bellarine Peninsula for your Sunday afternoon tea fix, why not do both with a side serve of sea to your scones, cream and jam. The Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry offers Sunday High Tea on the Sea sailings with chef prepared afternoon teas. The cost is for an immediate return sailing, but pay extra to take your car and complete the loop from Melbourne to Sorrento, ferry to Queenscliff and return to Melbourne (or vice versa).
Western Australia
Voyager Estate, Margaret River
Ok, so at nearly three hours (from Perth), this is a long drive for an afternoon tea, so an overnight stay might be advised. But with the attractions of the fabulous Margaret River area, it won’t be hard to keep you and your passengers occupied before and after Voyager Estate’s High Tea. This is one of the area’s famed vineyards, so expect indulgence, opulent surrounds and a fabulous cellar door. And while you can opt for a traditional High Tea, it would be rude not to try the wine flight, which explores food and wine pairings with your afternoon treats.
Queensland
Tea & Niceties, Tamborine Mountain
See what they did with the name? Well, Tea & Niceties is as enchanting as its name. It’s an easy one hour drive southwest of Brisbane or an even more interesting 45-minute drive through the mountains from the Gold Coast. With a cute white picket fence, a rambling tropical garden and the option of alfresco dining on the outdoor deck, this is the perfect place for a relaxing Devonshire or High Tea. They even have a special wine menu to match their famous light and fluffy scones.
South Australia
Udder Delights, Hahndorf
Another cute name, but this time we’re talking about an artisan producer making some of Australia’s finest cheeses. Udder Delights is in the cute village of Hahndorf only half an hour from Adelaide, which means you can make it a long or short drive before experiencing a cheesy alternative to the usual scones and cream. In fact, every course of your High Tea includes cheese. To round out the experience, High Tea is served in the underground cellar and, naturally, there are cheese tastings to be had at the above-ground cheese cellar door.
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