Delight In The Best Brisbane High Tea

Throw your pinkies in the air for dainty delicacies at the best places to experience a Brisbane high tea.

Fluffy finger sandwiches, itsy bitsy cakes, flowing bubbles, and fragrant brew – I am endlessly enchanted by the art of high tea. And I’m not alone. Dating as far back as the 1840s, the dining experience is still ridiculously popular, and Brisbane plays home to an abundance of sittings. From the confines of luxurious hotels to standalone destinations nailing new takes on the traditional, Brisbane high tea is always a special occasion – and I’ve created your go-to list.

In short

If you only try one Brisbane high tea, make it Strangers’ High Tea at Parliament House for its unparalleled portal into a bygone era. Think live classical music, nineteenth-century bones and delicious homemade treats.

1. Tea & Bubbles High Tea at Naldham House, Brisbane

the exterior of Naldham House, Brisbane — Step into the European-inspired Naldham House for Tea & Bubbles High Tea. (Image: Dexter Kim)

I love any excuse to step inside the heritage-listed Naldham House but the multi-level venue’s high tea, staged inside its European-inspired Brasserie, is a standout experience. The space is intoxicating, carpeted, moody and wall-lined with books at one end while thick red curtains dial up the drama to almost theatrical heights. What of the towers themselves? The sweets are all baked on-site, the finger sandwiches are cloudlike-fluffy, and they do a smoked mortadella croquette. Need I say more? It’s staged on Saturday from 2:30pm until 4:30pm and prices start from $65 per person before adding bubbles. I recommend just saying yes to the two-hour bottomless Taittinger package for an additional $80 because, well, Taittinger.

Address: 33 Felix St, Brisbane

2. Strangers’ High Tea at Parliament House, Brisbane

delightful bites at Strangers’ High Tea, Parliament House, Brisbane — Wash down these delightful bites with an indulgent tea offering. (Image: Strangers’ Restaurant)

Dine where the very highest of society frequented at Strangers’ High Tea , staged inside Queensland Parliament’s acclaimed Strangers’ Restaurant on select Tuesdays from 11:30am. It’s exceptional for its live classical music and ornate nineteenth-century designed space, once exclusive to male members of parliament. I love the bites, too, which include stalwarts like buttermilk scones and chicken and cucumber sandwiches, plus creations finessed by the Brisbane high tea’s parliamentary chefs like raspberry Opera slice, pumpkin and feta tarts and more. Prices start from $65 per person and I recommend booking well in advance as spots are snapped up quickly. Stay across the website for dates.

Address: Parliamentary Annexe, 69 Alice St, Brisbane

3. High Tea at Lennons Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane

pastries and high tea at Lennons Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane — Satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent pastries. (Image: Mitch Lowe)

Smack-bang in the centre of the CBD, Lennons Restaurant & Bar does a Brisbane high tea to write home about. Found inside the historical Lennons building, erected in 1884 and once one of the tallest structures in the city, the experience delivers decadence with a side of city views while the vibe inside is traditional-bistro and very family-friendly. The menu changes by theme and often with the season, but in December 2025 there was a wonderful ‘Season of Sunshine’ roll call of scones with raspberry Chantilly cream and jam, pineapple meringue, mango choux buns, pea and mint arancini with goat’s cheese and more. It’s staged on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30pm until 3pm and prices start $65 excluding booze (but including tea and coffee, naturally).

Address: 72 Queen St, Brisbane

4. Champagne High Tea at Customs House, Brisbane

Inside yet another noteworthy Brisbane icon, Champagne High Tea at Customs House offers a sensational sitting across several days of the week, making it a great, accessible pick for that reason alone. Staged on Tuesday at 3pm, and Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30am until 3pm, the 1.5-hour sessions offer views across the river and Story Bridge, making for one of the most scenic Brisbane high teas, to boot. Expect finger sandwiches, miniature cakes, macarons, and a glass of Taittinger bubbles for $90 per person.

Address: 399 Queen St, Brisbane

5. Various high teas at Stamford Plaza Brisbane, Brisbane

tea being poured into a cup on the table at Stamford Plaza Brisbane — The unique flavours of the Sunshine State are infused into the Spirit of Queensland High Tea. (Image: Stamford Hotels and Resorts)

Beloved for putting on three unique versions of Brisbane high tea, Stamford Plaza Brisbane spins its magic on Saturday and Sunday, plus school holidays. It’s all-weekend ‘Spirit of Queensland High Tea’ pays tribute to the flavours of the Sunshine State, spanning tropical fruit, roast Mt Cotton chicken, Maleny cheese sandwiches with ham and Mooloolaba prawn quiche. It costs $79 per person excluding alcohol. Saturday also offers a ‘Chocolate Afternoon Tea’ where more than 17 takes on everyone’s favourite sweet stuff is delivered with baked scones at $69 a seat. Finally, if it’s the school holidays, don’t miss Wizardry High Tea which blends a theme of witchcraft and, well, wizardry (just go with it, your kids love it), with the sweetest of treats.

Address: Corner Edward and Margaret Sts, Brisbane

6. Various high teas at W Brisbane, Brisbane

high tea at W Brisbane, Brisbane — The W brings vibes aplenty with its unique ‘Pretty In Pink’ menu. (Image: W Hotels)

Dripping with the hotel chain’s distinct rock and roll flavour, W Brisbane stages a series of high teas throughout the year within its eclectic Living Room Bar. Amid a sea of metallics, pop prints and soft seating, the themed high teas nod to whatever they’re vibing at the time. Be it the ‘Festive’ menu available in December 2025, staged on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from $80 per person, or versions that tap into the likes of Easter and Mother’s Day, there’s always something delicious going on. Check the website for menus and dates that suit your travel plans.

Address: Level 1, 81 North Quay, Brisbane

7. High Tea at Dandelion & Driftwood, Hendra

You might know Dandelion & Driftwood for its epic breakfasts but the cosy north Brisbane cafe also nails high tea and takeaway high tea box sets. Available at any time of the day, you need to pre-book your seat but get organised because the spoils are abundant. Brioche rolls, thick, fluffy scones, mini tarts and tiny pastries provide all the stomach lining your boozy (or non-boozy) beverage selection needs. Prices start from $65 per person.

Address: 20 Doncaster St, Hendra

8. Zen Garden High Tea at Bar 1603, Hotel Indigo, Brisbane

Serving spectacular afternoon spreads from Friday to Sunday, Bar 1603 inside Hotel Indigo is home to the magical Zen Garden High Tea . A homage to the flavours of Japanese cuisine, the Brisbane high tea caters to both savoury and sweet palettes however that’s where everything you think you know about high tea ends. Forget finger sandwiches forever as you dive into a stream of sashimi, gyoza, Moreton Bay bug rolls, Green Matcha soil (just you wait), mango cheesecake and more. It costs $109 per person and includes a glass of sparkling wine.

Address: 27-35 Turbot St, Brisbane

9. High Tea at Bacchus, Rydges South Bank Brisbane, Brisbane

pouring tea into a cup at Bacchus, Rydges South Bank Brisbane — A high-luxe, high tea scene at Bacchus.

Fine China porcelain and velvet chairs set a high-luxe, high tea scene at Bacchus inside Rydges South Bank Brisbane. Catering to both adults and children on Saturday, this high tea is worthy of your finest frocks as classic indulgences light up your table. The theme changes from time to time, with December 2025 ushering in a Festive menu, but you can expect delights like finger sandwiches, croquettes, prawn cocktails, and all your obligatory scones and sweets. It costs about $69 per person, excluding alcohol.

Address: 9 Glenelg St, South Bank

10. High Tea at The Kitchen, Old Government House, Brisbane

Held on just one Friday per month, High Tea at The Kitchen in beautiful Old Government House, is an utterly lovely dining experience you must do at least once in your life. Located at the bustling Queensland University of Technology campus right near the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, the venue pops together a beautiful selection of delicacies spanning finger sandwiches, handmade sweets and pastries. You’ll need to check the website for upcoming dates, but make sure you book your table in advance. Prices start from $79 per person.

Address: 2 George St, Brisbane

11. High Tea at Spicers Balfour Brisbane, New Farm

High Tea at Spicers Balfour Hotel, New Farm — Indulge in exquisite delights at Spicers Balfour Brisbane.

Get swept away in frangipani trees and ultra-lush greenery at Spicers Balfour Brisbane ’s High Tea, staged once a month on Saturday across two lunchtime seatings. It’s a stunning setting, embraced entirely if you can wrangle a spot on the Art Deco hotel restaurant’s terrace (but the courtyard is equally charming). The Brisbane high tea features mouth-watering sweets, including the likes of mini tarts, macarons, and specialty cakes, plus savoury brioche, smoked salmon on croute, and scones with Chantilly cream and raspberry jam. It starts from $89 per person.

Address: 37 Balfour St, New Farm

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Elegant spots to savour a Brisbane high tea