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High tea is one of those experiences that feels like a proper occasion the moment you sit down. Finger sandwiches made with care, warm scones with cream and jam, delicate pastries and enough tea to justify the afternoon, all in a setting that makes the everyday feel far away. RedBalloon has high tea experiences across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide in venues that range from grand hotel dining rooms to boutique garden cafes. Book one for yourself, give it as a gift or bring someone along for a birthday treat.
What to expect from a high tea experience
A high tea typically runs for two hours and arrives in a tiered stand. The savoury tier comes first: cucumber and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, house-made quiches, crustless options. The sweet tier follows: petit fours, macarons, chocolate tarts, lemon curd tartlets. Scones — usually warm, always with clotted cream and jam — bridge the two. Tea is served throughout, with most venues offering 8 to 12 varieties plus a sparkling or champagne upgrade.
High tea as a gift
A high tea gift voucher is a thoughtful choice for birthdays, Mother's Day, bridal showers, bridesmaids' gifts, hen's parties and any occasion that benefits from something a little more considered than the usual. It works equally well for one person or a group. Purchase a voucher in any denomination and let the recipient choose the venue and date or book a specific experience and give it as a confirmed booking.
High tea for groups
High tea is a particularly good group activity. Most venues accommodate groups from 2 to 20 people, often in a private dining room. It's a popular choice for hen's parties, birthday group celebrations, and work events where you want something more refined than a drinks function. Check individual listings for group minimums and advance booking requirements — group high teas at popular venues tend to require at least 2 weeks' notice.
High tea by city
High tea in Sydney
Sydney high tea experiences run in venues across the CBD, the North Shore and the Northern Beaches. Heritage hotel settings are popular, with a number of iconic harbourside locations on the list. Most Sydney high teas run between 11am and 3pm and last approximately two hours.
High tea in Melbourne
Melbourne's high tea scene sits inside some of the city's best-known dining rooms and boutique hotels. The CBD and inner suburbs have the highest density of options, with a handful of standout experiences in the Yarra Valley for those who want to combine afternoon tea with a regional day out.
High tea in Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Brisbane and Gold Coast high tea options range from city hotel dining rooms to garden settings and rooftop venues. A number of experiences on the Sunshine Coast and in regional Queensland add scenic value to the event.
What do you wear to high tea?
High tea is semi-formal. Smart casual is the standard, a dress, a skirt and top, or tailored trousers with a blouse. Venues don't enforce strict dress codes but most guests treat the occasion as an excuse to dress up slightly. Heels optional, effort appreciated.
What food is served at high tea?
The standard high tea spread includes finger sandwiches with savoury fillings, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, tarts and small cakes or petit fours. Most venues serve a selection of loose-leaf teas and offer a sparkling wine or champagne package as an add-on.
What's the difference between high tea and afternoon tea?
In practice, the terms are used interchangeably in Australia. Historically, afternoon tea referred to the lighter, earlier sitting while high tea was a more substantial early evening meal. Today, both terms refer to the tiered-stand, tea-and-pastries experience described above. You're getting the same thing regardless of which name the venue uses.