Mother’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday 10 May, and whether you’re planning a special outing, a long lunch, a lazy morning in bed or or something simple at home with the kids we’ve put together everything you need in one place.
From Mother’s Day events in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley to free family ideas, local gift inspiration and easy breakfast recipes the kids can actually make — here’s your complete guide.
What’s On for Mother’s Day 2026 in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
There’s plenty happening across the region this Mother’s Day. From charity walks and markets to high teas and long lunches, here’s what’s on.
Tilly’s Waratah Mother’s Day Market
Join Tilly’s Play and Development Centre for a morning of shopping, fun and connection. Their Mother’s Day Market will feature a variety of local market stalls offering unique gifts, handmade items and Mother’s Day treats, along with raffles and more on the day.
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: 42 Station Street, Waratah
Cost: Free entry
Website
Mother’s Day High Tea at Swansea Belmont SLSC
Treat Mum to a High Tea at Swansea Belmont Surf Lifesaving Club. Complimentary bubbles on arrival, delicious treats and live music by soloist Anaiya. High Tea to share including house-made scones and home made slices, petite finger sandwiches and pastries.
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Swansea Belmont Surf Club
Cost: $55 per person
Website
Mother’s Day High Tea on the Hunter
Pamper your mother in advance. This special surprise will be an event to be remembered. A 2-hour cruise on Newcastle Harbour aboard William the Fourth, as you indulge in a special Mother’s Day High Tea.
Date: Sunday 3 May 2026
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Lee Wharf Pontoon, 5 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle
Cost: $75 per person
Website
Hunter Valley Martial Arts Mother’s Day Free Pamper Session
Hunter Valley Martial Arts is proud to host a free Mother’s Day Pamper Session. An evening designed to help you feel relaxed, recharged, and empowered in a supportive and welcoming environment. This event is open to everyone. No experience needed – just come as you are. Yoga and mindfulness, empowering self defence, free gift bag for all participants. Spots are limited, register your interest online.
Date: Friday 8 May 2026
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: HVMAC Waratah, Maryland, Redhead, Warners Bay, Green Hills & Morisset Locations
Cost: Free
Website
Homegrown Market’s The Station Mother’s Day Market
Homegrown Markets returns to The Station on the day before mummas day! A perfect shopping day! There’ll be a lineup of fab handmade and design stalls, yummy street food, live tunes and entertainment plus a Kids Craft/Game Zone, permanent jewellery bar, face painting and more.
Date: Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: The Station, Newcastle
Cost: Free entry
Website
Mother’s Day Traditional High Tea at Tanilba House
Join historic Tanilba House (1831) for a traditional high tea to be served the day before Mothers Day.
Tea will be served in their conservatory and on the verandah’s overlooking the gardens and beautiful Port Stephens. Tea, coffee and a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies from one of Port Stephens best – Amanda Douglass – will be presented using fine bone china the old fashioned way. The event includes a history talk and a tour of the house and grounds.
Date: Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 2 x two hour sessions, one at 10.30am and one at 1.30pm
Location: 32 Caswell Crescent, Tanilba Bay
Cost: $75 per person
Website
Mother’s Day at Hey Tilly
This Mother’s Day, Hey Tilly is doing things differently. think permanent jewellery, fresh flowers, coffee and mimosas, all in their beautiful Darby Street boutique. Spaces are limited and booking is essential. Here’s what you get for $109: 1 x Permanent bracelet in 14k gold filled or 925 sterling silver, Welcome coffee, mimosa and pastry to kick things off and a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Date: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: Various timeslots
Location: Darby Street, Cooks Hill
Cost: $109 per booking
Website
Mother’s Day Classic Newcastle
Be part of one of Australia’s largest charity events and raise money for breast cancer research. Bring your family, grab some friends and make a morning of it at the Mother’s Day Classic Newcastle! This year the course is a flat 5km loop that follows the Stockton foreshore walking track taking in views of the Hunter River, Newcastle Harbour, Nobbys Lighthouse and Stockton Beach.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 8am (run), 8.30 & 9am (walk)
Location: Griffith Park, Wharf Crescent, Stockton Foreshore
Cost: Check website for pricing
Website
NOVA Cruises Mother’s Day Morning Tea Cruise – Newcastle
Treat Mum to an unforgettable Mother’s Day aboard NOVA Cruises! Relax and soak in the stunning views of Newcastle Harbour while enjoying a delicious Devonshire tea and a glass of bubbly. Complimentary mimosa or glass of sparkling for Mum.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 9 – 11am
Location: Lee Wharf, 5 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle
Cost: Adults/Concession $60, Child (3-14years) $40, Infants Free
Website
NOVA Cruises Mother’s Day Morning Tea Cruise – Lake Mac
Treat Mum to an unforgettable Mother’s Day aboard NOVA Cruises! Relax and soak in the stunning views of Lake Macquarie while enjoying a delicious Devonshire tea and a glass of bubbly. Complimentary mimosa or glass of sparkling for Mum.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 9 – 11am
Location: Booragul Public Wharf, First Street, Booragul
Cost: Adults/Concession $60, Child (3-14years) $40, Infants Free
Website
Mother’s Day Breakfast Cruise on the Harbour
Celebrate Mum in the most beautiful way, with a relaxing morning on the water, delicious breakfast, and sparkling harbour views.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 9.30 – 12pm (check-in and boarding from 9am)
Location: Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal
Cost: General Admission (12yo+) $79, Child (2-12years) $49
Website
Mother’s Day Picnic at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
Be entertained by music from Jumpin’ Jukebox, collect a free plant – one for every mum. Enjoy a scone or cupcakes from the Scone Stall. This year there will also be card readings available from Deb Jackson and a kid’s craft stall to make a gift for mum. Bring a picnic (you may book a table in advance), have a snack and a coffee at the Kookaburra Cafe, or r pre-order your grazing box supplied by Feast & Foliage (bookings for platters will close at 1pm on 8th May).
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Cost: General Admission Adult $10, General Admission Child (4-16) $5
Website
Homegrown Market’s Maitland Mother’s Day Market
Bring the special Mumma in your life for a market treat and street food brekky to Homegrown Markets mummas day market! There’ll be a lineup of fab handmade and design stalls, yummy street food, live tunes and entertainment plus a Kids Craft/Game Zone, permanent jewellery bar, face painting and more.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Harold Gregson Park, Maitland
Cost: Free entry
Website
Mother’s Day at Tocal Homestead
Celebrate Mother’s Day with the family and explore the magnificent Tocal Homestead. This special high tea service includes an assortment of savoury morsels, sweet treats and fresh scones. Your choice of “The Tea Collective Newcastle” pot of tea. Bar service available.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: Sittings from 10am, 10.15am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 12.45pm & 1pm
Location: Tocal Homestead, Paterson
Cost: Adults $68, Children $38. Tickets available online.
Website
Mother’s Day at Stanley Park
Every Mother’s Day, Stanley Park open the property and welcome people to bring a picnic or buy scones/seafood/sausage sangers/cakes/coffee from their vendors. The Barn will be open for those wishing to sit undercover. BYO picnic blankets & chairs. Entertainment by The Pat Eyre Band.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: Stanley Park, Fullerton Cove
Cost: $10 per vehicle entry, $5pp for walk-ins
Website
Mother’s Day at 8 at Trinity
Celebrate Mum in style in a luxurious waterfront setting and a 3 Course Set Menu Lunch or Dinner. Join 8 at Trinity Restaurant for Mother’s Dayfrom 11.30am for lunch or from 5.30pm for dinner for a 3 Course Set Menu Dinner including a heart shaped chocolate for Mum.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: From 11am for lunch or from 5pm for dinner
Location: 81 Trinity Point Dr, Morisset Park
Cost: Lunch: Adults $158pp* – Children: $48pp*. Dinner Before 8pm: Adults $138pp* – Children: $38pp* 10% Sunday surcharge applies to all ticket prices.
Website
Going out for Mother’s Day?
If you’re planning to head out for breakfast or lunch, think about what will actually make the day easier (and more enjoyable) for everyone.
For families with younger kids, venues with outdoor space or a playground are always a win. Cafes near the beach or lake are great for a walk afterwards, and more casual spots tend to be less stressful than formal dining.
You might also find these helpful when choosing where to go:
Our guide to family-friendly cafes with playgrounds.
Tip: If you’ve got your heart set on a particular venue, book early. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year.
Free & Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day
You don’t need to spend a fortune to make Mum feel special. Here are some genuinely lovely (and budget-friendly) ways to celebrate with the family.
Get Outside
- Head to Nobbys Headland for 360-degree views of the city, harbour and coastline — one of Newcastle’s most iconic spots and completely free
- Pack a picnic and settle in at Blackbutt Reserve, Speers Point Park or the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
- Take a ride on the Stockton Ferry — the kids will love it, and the views back towards Newcastle are genuinely beautiful
- Head to The Bay and do a short hike along the Tomaree Coastal Walk in Port Stephens
- Explore one of the region’s walking tracks at a pace that suits the whole family
See: Best Picnic Spots in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Playground + Coffee for Mum
Find a playground near a good café, grab a coffee and let the kids wear themselves out. Mum gets to sit down. Everyone wins.
See: Playgrounds with Nearby Cafes in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Family Bike Ride
If Mum is up for some fresh air, a ride along one of the region’s kid-friendly cycle paths is a lovely way to spend a May morning.
See: Kid-Friendly Cycle Paths in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
DIY Spa Day at Home
Set up a home spa using beauty products you have at home. Put on some music, give Mum a hand massage, and make an afternoon of it. The kids will be surprisingly into this.
More ideas: 10 Fun and Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day
Breakfast in Bed Ideas Kids Can Help With
Breakfast in bed is a classic for a reason — and it doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. Here are some easy ideas that kids of most ages can get involved in (with a bit of help from Dad or another grown-up).
Simple Ideas That Work
- Heart-shaped pancakes with fresh berries and icing sugar — use a heart cutter in the pan
- Banana bread — the smell alone is a lovely wake-up
- Dippy eggs with toast soldiers — simple, classic, kids love making it
- Fresh fruit salad with yoghurt — low mess and easy to prep the night before
- A beautiful tray: real mug of tea or coffee, flowers from the garden, and a handmade card
The Tray is Everything
Whatever you make, present it well. A proper tray, a real mug (not a travel cup), a small bunch of flowers and a handmade card from the kids will make even simple toast feel thoughtful.
Mother’s Day Crafts Kids Can Make at Home
Handmade gifts from kids are genuinely the ones that get kept. Here are some simple craft ideas using everyday items — no special supplies needed.
Cards & Keepsakes
- Handprint flower card — press little hands in paint on card stock, turn them into a bouquet with a drawn stem
- ‘Reasons I Love You’ jar — write on strips of paper and fill a jar for Mum to read throughout the year
- Photo frame decorated with craft supplies, shells or dried flowers
- Coupon book — ‘one free hug’, ‘one breakfast in bed’, ‘one quiet afternoon’ — kids can draw these themselves
Something to Display
- Painted terracotta pot — let kids paint and then plant a small herb or succulent inside
- Nature crown or wreath using leaves and flowers gathered on a morning walk
- Salt dough handprint ornament — simple to make and lasts for years
Something to Eat
- Decorated biscuits using store-bought shortbread and icing — kids can go to town on the decorating
- Chocolate bark with whatever toppings the kids choose — no baking required
Need more inspo? Try these simple ideas:
Mother’s Day Craft Ideas Kids Can Make at Home
Not sure what to get Mum?
If you’re looking for a gift, think of something that your mum would love such as:
- A piece of jewellery
- A short getaway or overnight stay
- A hamper or treat box
- Something for weekends away or family outings
- An experience you can do together
- A new wallet or handbag
We asked mums what they actually want for Mother’s Day — and the answers might surprise you.
What Mums Really Want for Mother’s Day
If you’ve left things late, a voucher or online order can still work really well.
Mother’s Day can be complicated
For some, Mother’s Day isn’t always easy — especially if you’ve lost your mum or are navigating a different kind of day.
If that’s you (or someone you know), this article might resonate:
Mother’s Day Without Your Mum
Left it to the last minute?
You’re definitely not the only one.
Some easy fallback ideas:
- Grab takeaway breakfast and head somewhere scenic
- Pick up a few treats and set up a picnic
- Let Mum have a quiet morning while the kids handle things
- Keep the day slow and relaxed
No pressure — it’s about the effort, not perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mother’s Day in Australia falls on the second Sunday of May each year. In 2026 that’s Sunday 10 May.
There’s a solid range of events across the region each year — including the Mother’s Day Classic walk/run at Stockton, markets, high teas, winery lunches and waterfront dining. Check back on this page for confirmed 2026 events closer to May.
Most cafés and restaurants in Newcastle are open on Mother’s Day, though many run special set menus and sell out quickly. Book as early as you can — Mother’s Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year.
A walk up to Nobbys Headland, a picnic at Blackbutt Reserve or Speers Point Park, or a morning ride along a family-friendly cycle path are all lovely low-cost options. Add breakfast in bed made by the kids and you’ve got a pretty great day sorted.
The Hunter Valley is a beautiful spot for Mother’s Day — many wineries and restaurants offer special long lunches or high tea experiences and you can also head to the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens. If you’re driving from Newcastle, it’s a great excuse for a morning in the Valley.
The Mother’s Day Classic is a charity walk and run held every year on Mother’s Day across Australia. The Newcastle event runs along the Stockton Foreshore and raises funds for breast and ovarian cancer research. It’s family-friendly, pram-suitable and a lovely way to start the day.