How To Celebrate Mother’s Day In Melbourne In 2026

Forget the scented candle set she’ll never actually burn and the last-minute gift card that screams “I ran out of ideas”. This Mother’s Day, Mum deserves better; but we all know she’s hard to buy for. So instead of another present gathering dust on the shelf, why not make a whole day of it this year? 

Melbourne is packed to the rafters with experiences worthy of the woman who’s put up with you from day one. From long lunches and high teas to floral workshops and scenic walks, planning an activity she’d never think to book for herself is a top-tier gift.

So, without further ado, here are the best things to do for Mother’s Day in Melbourne this year

Mother's Day In Melbourne 2026 At A Glance

• For An Adventurous Mother's Day
• For A Relaxing Mother’s Day
• For A Gourmet Mother’s Day
• For A Boozy Mother’s Day
• For A Creative Mother’s Day

There’s no need to fret, we’ve listed our top picks of where you and your loved ones can wine and dine in Melbourne this Mother’s Day for 2026: 

For An Adventurous Mother's Day

Get Stepping for a Beautiful Cause In The Mother’s Day Classic 

This year, the Mother’s Day Classic is marking 29 years of community action for breast and ovarian cancer research. Mark your calendars for Sunday 10 May, get the family together and head to the MDC website to find one of 90+ events happening near you. Whether you make it a leisurely walk or run the inaugural half-marathon course starting at the picturesque Alexandra Gardens, the Classic has to be the most meaningful Mother’s Day activity imaginable. 

Take Her on a Scenic Walk

With all this talk about touching grass and connecting with nature, why not sweep Mum out of town for Mother’s Day to check out one of Victoria’s most beautiful walks? We’re partial to the Mornington Peninsula’s Point Nepean walk; but for those willing to travel further, you can’t miss the Den of Nargun trail through the Mitchell River National Park. Talk about touching grass.

For A Relaxing Mother's Day 

Get Zen At Melbourne (And Victoria’s) Best Bathhouses 

A good soak soothes the mind, body and soul, and nobody deserves that ultimate relaxation more than the woman who brought you into the world. There are plenty of peaceful bathhouses in Melbourne and beyond where Mum can sit back to enjoy a day of pure R&R; and why not book a session in for yourself at the same time? 

Find Peace With Melbourne’s Best Massages

The world is an overwhelming (to say the least) place right now, and most of us spend our days anxiously scrolling or hunched over our desks. So hurry up and treat your Mum to one of Melbourne’s best massages to help relieve all that tension—we all know she deserves it. 

For A Gourmet Mother's Day

Raise Your Pinkies At Melbourne’s Best High Teas

Any excuse is a good excuse to dress to the nines, sip bubbles and eat tiny sandwiches with Mum, but a Mother’s Day high tea just feels right. Reserve a place at any of our favourite high teas in Melbourne for a morning or afternoon that she’ll love—or, to make it extra special this year, check out Mary Eats Cakes’ special events across Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May. 

With two locations in Melbourne (Brunswick and Montrose), you can spoil Mum with a bottomless supply of the venue's famous fluffy scones, a welcome cocktail, French sparkling wine, and a beautiful array of sweet and savoury treats. Be sure to secure your place here. 

Treat Mum To Brunch At One Of Melbourne’s Best Cafes

Melbourne isn’t known as the coffee capital of Australia (dare we say the world?) for no reason. Check out our list of Melbourne’s best cafes to book a scrumptious Sunday breakfast or brunch with Mum, and lock in your status as the favourite child for the next calendar year.

For A Boozy Mother's Day 

Let Loose At Melbourne’s Best Cocktail Bars

Is your Mum a cosmopolitan kind of girl (we see you, Carrie Bradshaw), or more fond of a negroni? No matter her preference, we think it’s well overdue you treat her to a cocktail or one (or three) of Melbourne’s best cocktail bars and consider Mother’s Day absolutely sorted.

Sip The Day Away At Wineries Across Victoria 

While the weather might be getting cooler, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a day at Melbourne’s best wineries. A long lunch overlooking the vineyards, sampling fine wines and snacking on charcuterie sounds like the perfect celebration to us, so get booking now. 

For A Creative Mother's Day 

Create A Floral Masterpiece At Hotel Sorrento 

A bouquet of flowers for Mum is hardly groundbreaking, but crafting the bouquet with her while enjoying pizzas and bubbles on a rooftop? Now that’s a gift worthy of a mother’s love. 

Hotel Sorrento is hosting a floral workshop on Friday 8 May, where you’ll be led by local florist Botanical Edition to create a gorgeous floral arrangement while snacking on charcuterie and sipping bubbly. Mum’s sure to love getting creative and spending quality time together; and with the afternoon finishing on the rooftop, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to snap a new mantlepiece photo. Book here to secure your spot. 

Throw Down With A Mother’s Day Pottery Class 

For Mums who love a bit of creativity and don’t mind getting their hands dirty, taking a pottery class together might just be the perfect way to spend Mother's Day. Pottery has burst onto the scene as the coolest craft activity in town over the past year, and we just happen to know all the best pottery classes in Melbourne. And what’s better than getting to take home your creations at the end? It's a gift and an experience in one—win, win.

Main image credit: Hotel Sorrento Supplied