The best Mother's Day ideas in Melbourne for 2026
ReMUMber that it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday 10 May… and whether you’re planning something for yourself, your mum, your partner, or a bestie – Melbourne always delivers big!
From free entry to the best places and kid-friendly mornings out to indulgent high teas, Yarra Valley winery lunches, and overnight getaways, there’s genuinely something for every kind of mum.
If you’ve been googling “what to do for Mother’s Day in Melbourne” or “best Mother’s Day experiences near me” – you’re in the right place. I’ve pulled together the best options across every vibe and budget, so you can stop scrolling and start planning.
Where to get FREE entry for mum
Yes, free! Because mums deserve a whole lot of love – and it doesn’t always have to cost a thing. Here are the best freebies and deals running this Mother’s Day weekend (and a little beyond), so you can make the most of it without the guilt.
SEA LIFE Melbourne
Valid: Sunday 10 May – Thursday 14 May 
How to book: online only (at least 1 day before your visit) 
Free entry for mum with one full-priced adult or child ticket. If you’re an annual passholder at SEA LIFE, you also score a free coffee or hot drink with any café purchase 10-14 May. Small but mighty!
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
🗓️ Valid: 10 – 14 May
🖥️ How to book: online only – at least 1 day before your visit
💡 Free entry for mum with one full-priced adult or child ticket.
Fairfield Boathouse
This one is so charming. Mum gets a free row along the Yarra in one of the Boathouse’s handcrafted boats – no booking needed, just show up and enjoy.
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May only
📍 Fairfield Boathouse – Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield
💡 My tip: grab breakfast, brunch or lunch at the Boathouse. There may be some wait time for the boats so let the team know on arrival – and just enjoy the Yarra vibes while you wait!
Sk8House
Valid: Sunday 10 May – sessions at 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm How to book: online only
3/2 Amayla Crescent, Carrum Downs
Gumbuya World
Valid: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May, 11am – 4pm How to book: online only (mum must be accompanied by a paying adult, child, or senior) 2705 Princes Highway, Tynong
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Valid: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May How to book: online only at archiebros.com.au – use code MUMFREE at checkout Tip: Bookings are essential so don’t leave it to the last minute!
Strike Bowling
Valid: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May How to book: online only at strikebowling.com.au – use code MUMFREE at checkout Tip: Minimum 2 people required, and not valid with other offers or bundles.
Holey Moley
Valid: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May How to book: online only at holeymoley.com.au – use code MUMFREE at checkout Tip: Minimum 2 people required, and not valid with other offers or bundles.
MANIAX Axe Throwing
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May only
📍 All MANIAX locations
🖥️ How to book: online only at maniax.com.au – select the “Mums Throw Free” package and add one free ticket for mum
💡 My tip: mum must be accompanied by at least one paying customer, so round up the fam!
Powerplay
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 5 – Saturday 10 May
🖥️ How to book: powerplay.com.au – use code MUMSRACEFREE at checkout
💡 My tip: book 2+ races for the family and mum races free. Min. purchase required.
📍 Moorabbin – 94-98 Cochranes Road, Moorabbin
📍 Campbellfield – 464 Mahoneys Road, Campbellfield
📍 Braybrook – Shop 13, 227 Ballarat Road, Braybrook
Hijinx Hotel
🗓️ Valid: Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 May
🖥️ How to book: online only at hijinxhotel.com.au – use code MUMFREE at checkout
💡 Minimum 2 people required, and not valid with other offers or bundles.
IMAGINATOR
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May only, 10am – 6pm
🖥️ How to book: via Ticketmaster or walk-in on the day – free entry for mum with any other ticket purchase
Melbourne Skydeck – free entry for Mother’s Day Classic participants
Did the Mother’s Day Classic walk or run? Mum gets free entry to Melbourne Skydeck on the day as a registered participant – and Skydeck opens an hour early at 11am exclusively for event-goers.
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May only, from 11am
Dreamskape
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May
🖥️ How to book: online at dreamskape.com.au or walk-ins welcome – no code needed, free entry verified on arrival
📍 Docklands, Knox & Southland
Little Amigos
🗓️ Valid: Sunday 10 May
📍 Westfield Southland, Cheltenham
Little Builders Docklands
🗓️ Valid: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May
🖥️ How to book: littlebuilders.com.au
💡 Use code SIRI10 for 10% off entry for the rest of the fam!
Bubble Planet – special Mother’s Day deal 
If you haven’t taken the kids to Bubble Planet yet, this is your sign. It’s one of my favourite immersive experiences for families in Melbourne right now – and they’re running a cracking Mother’s Day deal that makes it even easier to say yes.
1 adult + 1 child: $31.40 (each) weekdays / $37.30 (each) on weekends Valid: 4 – 10 May
Book your tickets here and use code MWITHSIRI10 to save an extra 10%
Mother’s Day Classic Melbourne 2026 🎀
The Mother’s Day Classic is 29 years running and still one of the most powerful ways to start Mother’s Day in Melbourne. Walk or run along the Tan Track and Alexandra Gardens with thousands of others – all moving together to raise funds for breast and ovarian cancer research.
It’s part community event, part moving tribute. Kids are welcome, prams are welcome, and the energy on the day is something else entirely.
🗓️ Sunday 10 May
📍 Alexandra Gardens, The Tan, Melbourne
👟 Distances: 4km, 8km, 12km, 21.1km
🖥️ Register now – some sessions already sold out so don’t wait!
High tea for Mother’s Day in Melbourne 🫖
Few things feel more special than a proper high tea with mum – and Melbourne does it really well. Tiered stands, bubbles, scones, and zero school lunch boxes in sight. Our pick this year is the Marriott Docklands, but there’s something for every style below.
✨ My pick: Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands
Sunset House at the Marriott is serving up high tea with G.H. Mumm champagne, oysters, gourmet savouries, and handcrafted desserts – all with stunning city views. This is the one if you want to really go all out.
📍 Sunset House, Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands
🖥️ Book via the hotel website – bookings essential
More options worth considering:
- The Hotel Windsor – classic, heritage, and utterly timeless
- The Langham Melbourne – Yarra views and generous dessert spreads
- Mary Eats Cake – relaxed, dietary-friendly, two locations in Brunswick and Montrose
- NGV Tea Room – quieter, surrounded by art, a little different
High tea bookings are among the fastest to sell out on Mother’s Day weekend – lock it in now!
Winery lunch near Melbourne
A long lunch at a winery is honestly one of the best ways to spend Mother’s Day (and the thing we usually end up doing!) Whether you’re heading to the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula or the Bellarine – Victoria has some seriously beautiful cellar doors worth booking out for the occasion.
A few of our favourites for a Mother’s Day lunch:
💡 Tip: Book well in advance – Mother’s Day Sunday fills up fast at wineries. Check First Table or EatClub for last-minute discounts of up to 50% off too!
The all-time fave: gift mum a spa day!
A massage, soak, facial, and absolutely no one asking for a snack. Melbourne and surrounds have some genuinely beautiful wellness spaces worth booking out for the occasion – or gift her a voucher to book later this month/year!
Family-friendly brunch, lunch or dinner spots
Because sometimes we want a lovely meal out AND happy kids. All the spots on our list have a play area, heaps of space to roam, or are located right next to a playground, so you can actually sit down and enjoy your coffee while it’s still hot!
Playgrounds to keep dad and the kids busy all day
Sometimes the best Mother’s Day gift is a completely empty house. So dads – this one’s for you.
I’ve mapped out 150+ of the best playgrounds across Melbourne and Victoria – from epic destination parks to hidden local gems – so you can keep the kids entertained all day.
💡 My tip: pack snacks, a footy, and zero plans to be home before 3pm. Mum will love you for it. 😄
Gardens, parks & picnics
One of the most underrated ways to spend Mother’s Day – fresh air, good food, and no restaurant booking required. Melbourne and Victoria are full of stunning gardens and parks perfect for a relaxed morning or afternoon out with the whole family.
Pack a picnic rug, grab some treats from a local bakery, and let the kids roam while you actually sit and breathe for five minutes. Autumn in Melbourne right now means crisp air, golden leaves and beautiful scenery.
Want to make it a bit more special? Book an AmazingCo Mystery Picnic – everything is set up for you and the location is revealed on the day – no prep, no stress, just a lovely moment together.
I’ve mapped out our favourite pram-friendly gardens and walks across Melbourne and Victoria below.
💡 Tip: Pair a garden visit with a nearby café or grab a hamper from a local deli for an easy, low-cost Mother’s Day morning out.
Make this Mother’s Day one she actually remembers 💛
Whether you’re after free family fun, a long lunch in the vines, or a full day of doing absolutely nothing – Melbourne and Victoria deliver. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to celebrating mums, and that’s exactly why this list covers every budget, every vibe, and every kind of mum out there.
If you found this helpful, save it, share it, and send it to whoever’s in charge of planning the day. 😉
I’ll be sharing more Mother’s Day finds, last-minute ideas and local gems across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok – come follow along so you never miss a thing.
👉 Looking for more ideas year-round? Check out our guide for grown-ups with 750+ ideas for dining, stays, wellness and more – or head to our full events and what’s on guide for everything happening around Melbourne right now.