Mother’s Day in Brisbane 2026: The Best Things to Do, Eat, and Experience
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Mother’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, 10 May in Brisbane. It’s not a public holiday in Queensland, so restaurants, venues, and transport run on standard Sunday settings — but demand is anything but standard.
Premium dining options have been selling out fast, and the weekend lands right in the middle of the Brisbane Comedy Festival and a packed QPAC season, which means the inner city is busier than a typical May Sunday.
Whether it’s a relaxed riverside brunch, a heritage high tea, or a morning walk through South Bank, Brisbane delivers.
Here’s what’s actually worth doing — and what to book before it’s gone.
What to Know Before You Plan
A few things worth flagging before diving into the options.
It’s not a public holiday. Queensland observes Labour Day on Monday, 4 May 2026 — not Mother’s Day.
Standard Sunday trading, surcharges, and transport schedules apply on 10 May.
Book early or go flexible. By late April 2026, several marquee dining experiences — including high tea at Stamford Plaza Brisbane, Newstead House, and Customs House — had already sold out.
If a specific venue matters, check availability now. If you’ve left it late, lean into the more flexible options listed below.
Transport disruptions are confirmed. Translink has posted two rail closures for the weekend.
The Shorncliffe line has railbuses replacing trains between Northgate and Shorncliffe on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 May.
The Ipswich, Rosewood, and Springfield lines are also affected, with railbuses replacing trains from late Friday night until last service on Sunday. Check the Translink journey planner before heading out.
Weather for the weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology’s May climatology for Brisbane shows a typical mean maximum of around 23.6°C.
The current forecast for Mother’s Day weekend has Saturday mostly sunny at 24°C and Sunday cloudy with showers at 24°C. Pack a light layer and an umbrella just in case.
Mother’s Day Classic at South Bank
The most structured way to start Mother’s Day morning is the Mother’s Day Classic, a national fun walk and run event held at South Bank Parklands.
The Brisbane event runs from Riverside Green, with start waves from 6:50 am, and the event village opens from 6:30 am until midday.
There are 4km and 8km options for both walkers and runners. Adult pricing sits between $63–$81 depending on the distance and timing of registration.
Concession and child pricing are also available. Note that as of late April 2026, the Brisbane registration page showed registrations closed — so this one is for those who already signed up.
All proceeds go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s a genuinely feel-good way to start the day, and the South Bank location means it’s easy to roll straight into brunch nearby.
Where to Eat on Mother’s Day in Brisbane
This is where most people start — and where the most planning is needed.
✅ High Tea Options
Lennons Restaurant & Bar at Queen Street Mall is one of the most practical high tea picks still available across both Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 May.
Sittings run from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, priced at $65 per adult. Spanning both days gives it an edge over venues that are Sunday-only and already fully booked.
Spicers Balfour Brisbane in New Farm has a Saturday-only high tea across two sittings at 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm, priced at $95 per person.
Official page notes limited spots remain, so this one warrants a quick check before assuming it’s still available.
Mary Mae’s in New Farm offers a riverfront high tea on Sunday, 10 May, with sittings at 10:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm–2:30 pm.
Pricing is $85 for adults, $45 for children aged 6–12, and free for under-5s. Limited seating applies, and it’s set up well for families.
Stamford Plaza Brisbane and Newstead House are worth knowing about as reference points — both offered high teas that sold out well before the date.
If you’re researching for next year, these are the ones to book months ahead.
Naldham House in the CBD is a pan-European brasserie in a heritage building, with a high tea sitting at 11:30 am on Sunday.
Pricing starts at $80 per person.
✅ Lunch and Dining
Blackbird at Eagle Street Pier has two formats running on Sunday, 10 May. The main event is a three-course family banquet lunch from 12:00 pm at $118 per adult and $48 for kids.
There’s also a Seafood & Spritz bar-format option running from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at $79 per person — a good lower-key alternative if the full banquet feels like too much.
Customs House along the Brisbane CBD riverfront offered one of the most premium options, with lunch at $140 per person and high tea at $92.
It’s listed here for reference — it sold out by late April and remains a benchmark for what the top end of the market looks like.
Victoria Park Bistro in Herston is worth a look for families. The venue has entertainment running from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday — face painting, a balloon artist, a jumping castle, and live music from midday.
The à la carte bistro option remains available even though the fixed-price breakfast and Chandon breakfast sittings are sold out.
Events and Things to Do
⭐ Brisbane Comedy Festival
The Brisbane Comedy Festival runs from 24 April to 24 May 2026, with shows across Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm, Fortitude Music Hall, The Tivoli, and the Princess Theatre.
Mother’s Day weekend falls right in the middle of the festival, with shows programmed at Brisbane Powerhouse on both Saturday and Sunday.
It’s a strong option for anyone wanting an evening plan to pair with a daytime meal.
⭐ QPAC Shows
MJ the Musical is playing at the Lyric Theatre through 24 May 2026. QPAC notes it’s in its final weeks and recommends it for ages 8 and above — a good pick for a school-age family outing.
Steel Magnolias runs at the Playhouse through 10 May 2026.
It’s a lower-intensity theatre option that works well as an add-on to a lunch, given the show’s closing date falls on Mother’s Day itself.
⭐ Bluey’s World
Bluey’s World at Northshore Pavilion in Hamilton is an ongoing attraction with timed sessions.
Tickets are on sale through their official page. If the day includes younger kids, this is one of the strongest purpose-built family options in Brisbane right now.
Markets and Gift Ideas
The market layer is strongest in the days before Mother’s Day rather than on the Sunday itself.
King St Mother’s Day Market runs on Friday, 8 May from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Bowen Hills. Free entry, gift-focused, with food and precinct dining available. A practical last-minute option.
West End Markets at Davies Park run on Saturday, 9 May from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Over 150 vendors, free entry, with parking at Souths Leagues Club via Jane Street for $5. The organiser recommends public transport, cycling, or rideshare where possible.
If weekend workshops appeal more than a restaurant booking, The Flower School has two floristry sessions on Saturday 9 May — a bouquet class from 9:30 am to midday and a ceramic class from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, each priced at $179.
Vanilla Zulu in Teneriffe runs a Rustic Italian Mother’s Day cooking class on Sunday, 10 May from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Priced at $165 per adult, $135 for groups of four or more, and $95 for youth. Limited spaces were still available at the time of writing.
Getting Around Brisbane on Mother’s Day
South Bank is the most event-dense precinct for the weekend and the one where public transport pays off the most.
The South Bank car park has a weekend maximum of $39 per day. Trains, the Brisbane Metro M1/M2, South Bank station, ferry, and the busway all service the area.
New Farm and the Brisbane Powerhouse are easily reached via the CityCat ferry to New Farm Park, with free parking available on the ring road nearby.
West End is best approached via bus, ferry, rideshare, or cycling. Street parking is metered and tightens on Saturday mornings when the markets run.
The CBD has Council car parks at King George Square and Wickham Terrace, both open seven days.
Metered parking is free after 7:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, so it’s not worth factoring in for daytime outings.
Given the confirmed rail disruptions on the Shorncliffe, Ipswich, Rosewood, and Springfield lines, anyone travelling from those corridors should check the Translink journey planner rather than assuming normal train times apply.
A Simple Weekend Plan
The least stressful approach is to split the weekend rather than cramming everything into Sunday.
Saturday works well for markets (West End), a Flower School class, an afternoon high tea at Spicers Balfour or Lennons, and an evening comedy show or QPAC performance.
Sunday is better kept to one anchor experience and one meal. The Mother’s Day Classic in the morning pairs well with a relaxed brunch. A QPAC matinee pairs well with a long lunch at Blackbird or Mary Mae’s.
If dining is the centrepiece, Sunday lunch is where the premium options sit — but also where availability disappears fastest. Lock that in first and build the rest of the day around it.
Budget Guide
| Tier | What it looks like | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Free markets, river walk, café stop | A$0 entry, pay for food and gifts |
| Mid | Lennons or Spicers Balfour high tea, parking | Around A$130–A$190 for two |
| High | Blackbird banquet lunch or Newstead House high tea | Around A$230–A$280+ for two, before drinks and gifts |
All event details, pricing, and availability are based on information available as of 30 April 2026. Bookings and availability change quickly — always verify with the venue before making plans.
