Dads are getting a space of their own at South.Point this Father’s Day, with food, tastings and a little well-earned time out on the menu at Dad’s Den.

Taking over Centre Court from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, Dad’s Den is part of South.Point’s Father’s Day celebrations, giving families another way to spend the weekend together while offering Dad a few treats of his own.

South.Point Marketing Manager Carole Arulantu said the idea follows a similar activation held for Mother’s Day and was designed to give dads their own version of a little pampering.

“We are doing a similar thing to what we did for Mother’s Day, which is just giving dads a little bit of a timeout, a little bit of, in their way, a pamper package as well,” she said.

Shoppers who spend $50 at participating South.Point retailers can receive a ticket to enter the 18+ Dad’s Den, where complimentary whiskey and rum tastings from Canberra Distillery will be joined by chicken sliders, mini beef pies and sausage rolls from The Coffee Club.

“Of course, it’s never complete without a good sausage roll,” Carole said.

Eligible shoppers will also have the chance to enter a competition to win a Cheetah Walk experience at the National Zoo and Aquarium.

While Dad enjoys some downtime, the kids can get creative nearby, with a separate area in Centre Court offering craft activities where they can make something special to give him for Father’s Day.

Carole described Dad’s Den as a “short, sharp and sweet” experience that gives dads a chance to enjoy some time to themselves while still being part of a family day out.

The celebrations don’t have to end when Dad leaves the den, with Carole encouraging families to make a day of their visit to South.Point.

Families can start with breakfast, take the kids for a train or car ride and let them burn off some energy at one of the centre’s three playgrounds. There’s also the option to stop for coffee and cake, catch a movie or grab dinner to take home at the end of the day.

“There’s heaps of quality time that you can spend with a family at South.Point,” Carole said.

That focus on spending time together is particularly important for the shopping centre as households continue to navigate cost-of-living pressures.

Carole said occasions such as Father’s Day have traditionally been associated with buying Dad a big present or splashing out, but that isn’t always possible for families.

“Once upon a time, I know because I myself have experienced that, you can get up in the morning and go and get Dad a nice big gift and sort of spoil him,” she said.

“It’s the cost of living that’s stopping a lot of families from actually going out there and spending money.”

Dad’s Den is intended to offer something extra for families who are already spending time together, whether they are heading out for breakfast, meeting for lunch or simply enjoying a day at the centre.

“So this is a little experience for Dad,” Carole said.

“They get that special something which otherwise they may not even think about.”

But Carole said celebrating Father’s Day doesn’t have to be about how much a family spends. For her, the most important part is making time for the people closest to you.

“Just because the cost of living is so high, let’s not forget what the most important thing is for us at South.Point, which is family,” she said.

That time together can be as simple as going for a walk, sharing a meal or finding something the whole family can enjoy.

“Just because it’s expensive, let’s not forget we’ve still got our legs,” Carole said.

“We can walk to a destination, walk around the lake, walk around South.Point.”

Whether Father’s Day means treating Dad at Dad’s Den, sharing breakfast or lunch, catching a movie or simply spending some uninterrupted time together, South.Point hopes families use the occasion to celebrate the dads and father figures in their lives.

Dad’s Den will run at South.Point Tuggeranong from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September. Dad’s Den is strictly 18+. Terms and conditions apply to entry and the Cheetah Walk competition.

Entry into Dad’s Den

• Spend $50 at any participating South.Point retailer to enter Dad’s Den and also for a chance to win a Cheetah Walk at National Zoo & Aquarium (T&Cs apply)
• Walk A Cheetah competition dates: 24/8/26 to 6/9/26
• Access into Dad’s Den only on 5/9 and 6/9
• Dad’s Den will be a strictly 18+ zone