Mother’s Day in Melbourne 2026: Best Things to Do
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Mother’s Day in Melbourne falls on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
It’s one of the city’s busiest dining and events weekends of the year, and if you’re leaving things to the last minute, some options will sell out before you get there.
This guide covers what’s actually confirmed and bookable – events, brunches, high teas, weekend getaways, and gift ideas.
I’ve cross-checked the research against official venue pages, so everything here is as accurate as possible at the time of writing.
Book early. That’s the one piece of advice that will save the day.
Mother’s Day Events in Melbourne 2026
The biggest public event on the day is the Mother’s Day Classic, but there’s a handful of other things worth knowing about – especially if you’re planning to mix a free activity with a paid experience.
✅ Mother’s Day Classic
The Mother’s Day Classic is a walk/run event held on Sunday, 10 May at Alexandra Gardens and The Tan, raising money for breast cancer research.
It’s one of Melbourne’s most well-known charity events and draws a huge crowd.
Pricing (as of April 2026): Adult walk is $63, adult run is $69 at standard pricing. Prices increase closer to the date.
- Standard pricing ends 3 May 2026
- Last-minute pricing runs 4-9 May
- On-the-day registration available on 10 May at higher prices
It’s a solid way to spend the morning if the family is up for it. Register at mothersdayclassic.com.au.
✅ Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
The Royal Botanic Gardens runs Mother’s Day programming across both Melbourne Gardens (Birdwood Avenue) and Cranbourne Gardens (Ballarto Road).
Grounds entry is free, though some add-ons are priced separately.
The Melbourne Gardens are a genuinely lovely spot on an autumn Sunday – the gardens look their best in May, and it doesn’t cost a thing to walk through.
At Cranbourne, café bookings are essential on the day (call 0437 282 068).
✅ Mother’s Day High Tea with Emelia Jackson – Melbourne Town Hall
This is the standout ticketed experience if you want something a bit special. The Main Hall at Melbourne Town Hall hosts a pastry-led high tea with Emelia Jackson (MasterChef Australia winner) on Sunday, 10 May.
Two sessions: 11 am-1 pm and 2 pm-4 pm
Pricing: $129 adult, $59 child, under-3 free
Book via whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au or call 03 9682 1777. No hard booking deadline was published, but the Main Hall will fill up.
✅ Markets and Lead-Up Events
If you’re shopping for a gift in the week before Mother’s Day, a couple of markets are worth knowing about.
- South Melbourne Market trades Wed 8 am-4 pm, Fri 8 am-5 pm and Sun 8 am-4 pm – good for local gifts and flowers
- Queen Victoria Market’s Hawker 88 night market runs on Wed nights to 6 May from 5 pm-10 pm
- Boho Luxe Market Mother’s Day Edition was at The Atrium, Fed Square on Sun 3 May (free entry) – check their Instagram for future dates
Best Brunches and High Teas for Mother’s Day Melbourne
This is where Melbourne really delivers. There are hotel brunches, high teas in large venues, and smaller tea rooms – all at different price points.
Here are the clearest options with confirmed pricing.
| Venue | Date/Time | Price (Adult) | Price (Child) | Location |
| Pullman Melbourne on the Park | Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 12 pm-3 pm | $69 | $34.50 (under-5 free) | 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne |
| Crowne Plaza Melbourne | Sun 10 May, 12 pm-4 pm | $99 | $49 (under-3 free) | 1-5 Spencer Street |
| Mary Eats Cake | Sat 9 & Sun 10 May | $97 | $59 | Brunswick and Montrose |
| Grand Hyatt Melbourne – Collins Kitchen | Sat 9 May (high tea) / Sun 10 May (buffet) | High tea $99 / Buffet $129 | $49.50 / $64.50 | 123 Collins Street |
| Hyatt Place Essendon Fields | Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 12 pm-3pm | $108 | $75 | 1 English Street, Essendon Fields |
| The Lodge Dining Room | Sat 9 & Sun 10 May, 12 pm-3 pm | $125 | N/A | 280 Little Collins Street |
| Pan Pacific Melbourne | Sat 9 & Sun 10 May | $120 | $75 | Pacific Club Lounge, South Wharf |
| Stamford Plaza Melbourne | Sun 10 May (2 sessions) | $99 | $50 (under-5 free) | Collins Street |
Best value: Pullman’s breakfast buffet at $69 adult is the most affordable hotel option.
Best for families: Mary Eats Cake (Brunswick and Montrose) offers multiple sessions plus private rooms for groups.
A note on surcharges – Hyatt Place publishes a 15% Sunday/public-holiday surcharge on their Mother’s Day menu, so check the final total before you book.
Most venues require advance payment and have strict cancellation policies.
Weekend Getaways from Melbourne for Mother’s Day
If a day trip sounds too rushed, a short regional stay is a great alternative.
The best-published packages within 2-3 hours of Melbourne are on the Mornington Peninsula, in the Yarra Valley, in Daylesford, and on the Surf Coast.
| Stay | Drive Time | Highlights | Price Guide | Book By |
| RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort | ~1 hour | 2 nights, breakfast, Yarra Valley setting | From $549 for two nights | Check the official page |
| RACV Torquay Resort | ~1.5 hours | 2 nights, breakfast, dining credit, Surf Coast | Not published | 3 May 2026 |
| RACV Cape Schanck Resort | ~2 hours | Breakfast for two, $200 dining credit, late checkout | Not published | 13 May 2026 |
| Peppers Marysville | ~1.5 hours | 2+ nights with $50 fuel voucher | From $518 for 2 nights | Check the official page |
| Lake House, Daylesford | ~2 hours | Premium two-night luxury package | From $820 per person (twin share) | Check official page |
| Daylesford Country Retreats | ~2 hours | Stay 3, pay 2 across 120+ properties | Varies by property | Offer runs to 31 May 2026 |
RACV Healesville is the strongest value in this list – two nights from $549 for two is solid for the Yarra Valley.
Lake House is the benchmark luxury option, but at $820 per person, it’s a big commitment.
If flexibility matters more than a specific resort, Daylesford Country Retreats’ Stay 3 Pay 2 deal spreads across 120+ properties – good for finding something that suits the group.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas in Melbourne
The safest last-minute gifts are digital – vouchers from Peninsula Hot Springs, Alba Thermal Springs, Aurora Spa, or Crown Gifts can all be sent immediately. For a physical gift, flowers need to be ordered a few days out.
💐 Flowers
- Flowers Vasette – Premium Melbourne florist, from $140 for roses. Call +61 3 9118 4300 or visit flowersvasette.com.au.
- Say It With Flowers – CBD and hospital delivery, same-day delivery on orders placed before 12 pm. Call (03) 9822 1423.
🎫 Spa and Thermal Experience Vouchers
- Peninsula Hot Springs – Gift certificates from $50 to $1,500, e-gift and posted options. Located on the Mornington Peninsula. peninsulahotsprings.com.
- Alba Thermal Springs & Spa – Gift vouchers from $100, located in Fingal, Mornington Peninsula.
- Aurora Spa & Bathhouse – Sorrento, gift cards from $100 with digital or physical options. Call (03) 5935 1222.
- Sensu Spa – CBD spa, Mum’s Escape Package at $210 for 2026.
- Nourish Day Spa – Instant gift vouchers from $50 available online.
🎁 Experience Gifts
- Crown Gifts – Hotel, dining, and spa gift cards. Mother’s Day offer at $350 with a $50 bonus value on the first 1,000 orders. Digital cards can be sent instantly.
- Mary Eats Cake – At-home high tea delivery across Melbourne on 9-10 May. Scone boxes from $22, brunch for two from $139.
Practical Planning Notes
A few things worth knowing before you book.
- Sunday surcharges: Some venues (like Hyatt Place) apply a 15% Sunday/public-holiday surcharge. Check the total before paying.
- Cancellation windows: Novotel Glen Waverley’s Mother’s Day high tea closes amendments and cancellations on 27 April 2026. Read the cancellation terms before you book anywhere.
- Dietary requirements: Most venues ask you to disclose dietary needs in advance. They generally can’t guarantee a total absence of allergens.
- Spa age limits: Peninsula Hot Springs and similar thermal experiences often have age restrictions. Check before gifting to a younger mum with small children in tow.
- Prepayment: Many of these experiences require full prepayment. If plans change, you may not get a refund.
