The best Father’s Day gifts aren’t wrapped – cement your status as the golden child with an experience they’ll never forget.
It’s never easy trying to find the perfect gift for the father figure in your life. But the best gift doesn’t always come in boxes – create memories with your dad or give them a personal day off to celebrate in style. Whether your dad prefers an outdoor adventure, diving into the wine world or feasting at nice restaurants, gifting your dad an experience means gifting a memory to treasure for the years to come (and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to tag along too).
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in Queensland
Cheers to the best dad ever with rooftop cocktails
Dads love showing off in the kitchen, whether they’re self-acclaimed grill masters or keen to tackle increasingly elaborate recipes. There’s no better way to treat your father figure than by giving them a night off with a delightful dining experience. Kick off the evening’s events with a rooftop session at Cielo’s in Fortitude Valley. Warm your seat with a cocktail on arrival, then nibble on a local assortment of charcuterie and gourmet cheeses as the sun sets over the Valley.
Treat him to a taste of the gourmet
For something a bit more indulgent, venture to Brisbane’s OTTO restaurant for delicious Italian fare accompanied by views over the South Bank riverside. The restaurant’s delectable three-course set menu features options like raw kingfish crudo, ‘OTTO reserve’ brisket tortellini and a signature martini, all culminating in the perfection of a house-made tiramisu. Molto bene!
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in South Australia
Go behind the scenes on an Adelaide Oval tour
Every dad has a few items on their bucket list, so help them tick off a lifelong dream this Father’s Day. Let your dad geek out over the certified legends who made Adelaide Oval the icon it is today with a behind-the-scenes access tour. Take a step onto the revered green, where the echoes of the country’s finest players still linger and step up for a private pitch tutorial with a Senior Groundsman. But this isn’t just a visit; it’s a chance to become part of history – craft your very own nameplate and proudly display it on the Heritage-Listed Scoreboard.
Take Father’s Day to new heights on a scenic helicopter flight
If an aerial adventure is calling dear dad, opt for a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight in the Barossa Valley. Soar above verdant vineyards and undulating hills as your flight tracks over the Barossa’s charming towns for a breathtaking viewpoint that can’t be beaten. This is the perfect opportunity to let dad loose in some of South Australia’s most sought-after cellar doors – we recommend visiting the award-winning (and sustainable) Yalumba Winery to sample some of the region's best drops.
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in Victoria
Tour some of Melbourne’s underrated breweries
Prove that you’re the favourite child with a gift that speaks to your dad’s specific interests. Raise the bar with a private brewery walking tour for the dads who don’t say much but love a local brew. Be a tourist in your own backyard as you trot and tram your way to three cherished venues, learning about their different contributions to the Melbourne beer scene.
Challenge each other to a day on the green
For a gift that’s sure to be a hole-in-one, bring your dad along for an afternoon on the green at Goonawarra Public Golf Course. Demonstrate once and for all that the student has become the master by challenging your dad to 18 holes at this par 70 championship layout. If Dad falls in love with this unique course, sign up for a three-month membership to unlock unlimited access to the green.
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in New South Wales
Set sail on the Parramatta River
Dads wear many hats, so why not add a few more? Let your dad don a captain’s hat for the day for a leisurely glide in a GoBoat on Parramatta River. Boasting a central picnic table with room for up to eight passengers, all you’d need to do is pack the Esky, stock up on food and gather their best buddies for a day out on the water.
Prep for that bucket-list jump with an indoor skydive
If your dad considers himself more of a thrill-seeker than chill-seeker, take him to iFLY Penrith for a day that soars above expectations. This exhilarating indoor skydiving arena offers two extended flights with all the safety equipment – suit, helmet, ear plugs and safety goggles – included. The experience is made to simulate the same adrenaline-pumping conditions as jumping from the sky – maybe your next Father’s Day will be the real deal.
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in Tasmania
Taste tipples at Australia’s most awarded sparkling winemaker
There’s more to tasting wines than sniffing, swirling and sipping, which your dad will soon come to realise with a wine tasting at House of Arras. Unpick the threads of Tasmania’s rich soil, climate and captivating agriculture heritage while you’re on your way to becoming a sparkling wine scholar at one of Australia’s most awarded wineries. You’ll taste-test vintage and non-vintage méthode traditionnelle wines, and your dad will be taken on an oral tour of where, when and how sparkling wine in Tasmania has drawn worldwide attention.
Feast on freshly shucked seafood on a cruise around Bruny Island
Everyone needs to taste freshly caught Tasmanian abalone once in their life. Join a full-day boat expedition across the Derwent River and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel – the waters surrounding Bruny Island – with a team of expert fishermen as they dive to catch wild abalone, lobster, oysters, salmon and sea urchins. The spoils are paired with locally made organic cider, boutique beers and cool-climate wines from Tasmanian vineyards.
Best Father's Day Gift Experiences in the Northern Territory
Zip around Mindil Beach on a jetski
For the dad who can’t be shaken or stirred, (swim)suit up on Mindil Beach and race along Darwin’s spectacular ‘Magic Mile’ with a jetski tour to rival their favourite action movie. Hop on your very own jetski and ride into an ethereal sunset as visions of Darwin’s city dance entrancingly on the water’s edge. Unleash your inner secret agent as you feel the unreal thrill of zipping along the picturesque coastline. Whether your dad is an expert photographer or amateur shutterbug, they’ll want to have a camera handy for this unforgettable golden hour.
Feed the beast at Crocosaurus Cove
Book in to spend a full day at Crocosaurus Cove and snag a VIP crocodile feeding experience to get up close to one of the world’s deadliest and oldest predators. The brave handlers will also guide you through the world’s largest Australian reptile display. Take your time discovering nine other interactive shows and animal exhibits and truly unlock Dad’s inner child (you’re never too old for crocs).
Discover Father's Day experiences
After more inspiration? Check out Touchdown in the USA: Five Unmissable Sporting Events.
