With its glistening harbor views, pristine golden beaches, and iconic architectural sites, Sydney is Australia’s most spectacular city. And all that pretty scenery sets an idyllic backdrop for a memorable romantic rendezvous: whether it’s a first date with a new flame or an anniversary with a beloved spouse. To help you ace your courting game, we’ve curated a creative list of 15 Sydney date ideas. From extravagant special events to low-budget romantic endeavors, there’s an innovative suggestion for every budget and taste. So break free from your mundane dating routine and try something new in Australia’s biggest city.
Grab a drink with a first date at Sydney Opera Bar
Sydney’s most iconic watering hole is a top spot to calm those first date jitters with a drink in hand. This buzzing waterfront bar straddles the spectacular Circular Quay, offering love-struck drinkers uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. If the get together is going well, the attached Opera Kitchen plates up delectable Mod-Oz cuisine and classic pub fare.
Despite the million-dollar views, the prices here aren’t outrageous by Sydney standards. Got a thing for the theater? Book yourself a show at the adjacent Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s most recognizable performing art centers.
Scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Thrill seekers can see the city from dizzying new heights on this adrenaline-pumping adventure. BridgeClimb Sydney offers a slew of exciting escalating experiences to summit the city’s world-famous Harbour Bridge. Although it’s an expensive endeavor, it’s well worth the splurge for couples celebrating an anniversary or special occasion. If you want to take your date to see the massive steel arch on a budget, you could walk or cycle across it instead.
Sound dangerous? Don’t worry, you’ll be in safe hands. The company provides in-depth training before kitting you out in a harness, overalls, and other essential safety gear. Nonetheless, it’s a heart-thumping experience that’s guaranteed to evoke vertigo for you and your date.
Scare yourself silly on a Ghost Tour
There’s nothing like a traumatic supernatural experience to fortify a budding romantic relationship. And while Sydney’s goosebump-inducing ghost tours can’t promise an in-person spectral encounter, they offer a great way to learn more about its haunted locales.
The top pick is The Rocks Nightly Ghost Tour, where eccentric historians lead you through a convict-era settlement while regaling macabre tales. To up the apparition ante, Q-Station does a terrifying overnight stay at a haunted old quarantine facility in Manly.
Enjoy an after-hours evening at the Art Gallery of NSW
Artsy types could pencil in a date night at the Art Gallery of NSW to combine nerve-quashing drinks with world-class exhibits. Dubbed Art After Hours, the evening event is a long-standing Sydney institution where local bohemians gather to admire the gallery’s eclectic collection with a cocktail in hand.
The shindig runs every Wednesday until 9pm, and the café stays open so you can scoff tasty nibbles with your rosé. Free public transport whisks tipsy revelers to and from the event; it’s a terrific option for penny pinchers.
Take a boozy art class at the Bondi Paint Club
If you prefer to be a tad more hands-on with your art (while still sipping a tasty tipple), enroll in a one-off, alcohol-orientated art class. These fun-filled evenings have you and your date paint mediocre “masterpieces” as you quaff vino to break the ice. It’s a brilliant first date idea that gives you boozy social lubricant, a fun, creative outlet, and the chance to indulge in self-deprecating humor—a winning combo.
The concept has taken off in Sydney; you’ll find several ‘stroke and sip’ studios scattered around the city. Try the Bondi Paint Club, the Ivanhoe Hotel in Manly, or Stacks Bar & Restaurant in Darling Harbour.
Practice your swing at Holey Moley Golf Club
Mini golf is a timeless date idea that’s been enamoring loved-up couples for decades. Holey Moley Golf Club makes our list of top date ideas in Sydney because it takes the concept to new extremes with its labyrinth-like maze of sensory putt-putt experiences. Each zany course adheres to a cheesy vintage theme—think 80s and 90s nostalgia—and there’s a licensed bar to facilitate smooth conversation and ruin your par.
The renowned nationwide chain has a wide range of branches peppered throughout Sydney. Rest assured, there’s a crazy mini golf course somewhere near you.
Try flying indoors at iFLY Skydiving
Keen to experience the thrill of free-falling without confronting your fear of heights? iFly Indoor Skydiving replicates this death-defying activity sans the risk of actual death. The Penrith-based outfit houses a high-tech wind tunnel that blasts air upwards to simulate the sensation. Punters dress up in a cute onesie and step inside the transparent glass cylinder with a real-world skydiving instructor.
The place packs out with kids, so book an evening session (and avoid the school holidays) for a more subdued and romantic vibe.
Enroll in a SUP yoga class
Would your partner dig doing the downward facing dog while balancing on a stand-up paddleboard amid incredible coastal views? A local yogi and SUP superstar runs this Zen-like 1.5-hour morning tour in Manly. This blissful date idea off the coast of Sydney makes for a zen start to the day. No SUP or yoga experience is necessary, but expect to get wet if you’re unfamiliar with either art form.
If you just want to splash about without contorting into a sitting forward bend, Sydney Harbour offers idyllic scenery for a paddle. The classic kayaking trip to Goat Island makes for an awesome date for adventurous types.
Cruise with your date in style on Sydney Harbour
Sound cliché? Maybe it is. But taking a scenic sunset cruise around the city’s spellbinding harbor is one of the most romantic date ideas in Sydney. A bewildering array of competing agencies run similar nautical excursions each evening, though it’s hard to go past Sydney Tall Ships. Their towering 19th-century vessels evoke the romance of yesteryear, while delectable tapas and top-shelf wines ensure an amorous evening.
Want to experience the magic of sailing Sydney Harbour on a bare-bones budget? Then hop aboard the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay. This sea-faring public transport service takes in all the top sites for a modest ticket fee.
Do a dinner and movie in style
While the classic dinner and movie combo has been done to death, taking your date to an outdoor cinema is destined to impress. Seasonal screenings sprout up throughout Sydney each summer, some of which boast shimmering waterfront views, and all sell delicious, freshly-made food.
The most picturesque motion picture palace is Westpac OpenAir Sydney, a Royal Botanic Garden venue framed by the city’s signature skyline. If it’s raining (or cold), try Govindas instead. This homely Indian restaurant does an excellent vegetarian buffet and has an intimate, indoor cinema room.
Chow down at Chinatown
Sydneysiders flock to Sydney’s Chinatown to slurp steamy Singapore noodles, sip flavor-infused soups, and celebrate the Chinese New Year. The bustling oriental shopping and dining district makes a brilliant base for a date, with a mesmerizing array of Asian eateries to peruse. Most serve imported oriental beers (or spirits like saké) to get the conversation flowing.
If you’re tired of Chinatown, Spice Alley (located in Chippendale) has a vibrant ensemble of chic Pan-Asian eateries and happening bars.
Learn to craft your own artisanal booze
Liquor loving couples will adore a date night comprised of distilling (and drinking) their favorite drop. While the city hosts countless chic micro-distilleries, Archie Rose Distilling Co. is the cream of the crop. This fantastic Surry Hills venue hosts scheduled gin, whisky, and cocktail masterclasses that let you perfect the art of artisanal booze making.
If you just crave a cheeky tipple, there’s no harm popping into their lively bar. Impromptu distillery tours and cellar door experiences teach you about the production process as you quaff through what’s in stock.
Hike from Bondi to Coogee
The 3.7-mile (6km) Bondi to Coogee route is Sydney’s most spectacular coastal hike. Bushwalking enthusiasts and active types will adore this outdoorsy date idea, which gives you sublime scenery and a solid workout in one fun-filled afternoon.
While the world-renowned walk only takes a couple of hours, you can make a full day of it by stopping for a swim at one of its numerous secluded coves. Highlights include snapping a pic at the iconic Bondi Iceberg Club and submerging yourself in the Bogey Hole. Hip waterfront cafes provide an idyllic spot to refuel, and you’ll spot several ancient aboriginal sites along the route.
Explore Sydney’s sublime national parks
Separating Sydney from the Hawkesbury River, Ku-ring-gai Chase is the city’s favorite outdoor playground. This thickly forested national park has a plethora of undulating trails to trample on, plus a network of twisted creeks for paddlers. If you’re not feeling energetic, take a scenic drive to Bobbin Head for a picnic lunch instead.
On the city’s southern end, the Royal National Park has a gorgeous ensemble of pristine beaches and gushing falls. Wattamolla Beach is the nicest sandy stretch near Sydney, while the divine Figure Eight Pools make for the perfect couples’ Instagram pic.
Catch a band at the Oxford Art Factory
Keen to treat your date to an auditory evening of indie melodies? Then look no further than the Oxford Art Factory, the city’s most iconic live music venue. A stone’s throw from the CBD, this bustling warehouse-like venue lures music lovers from all over the city who come to groove to alternative rock tunes every night of the week.
Andy Warhol’s iconic New York studio inspired the décor—think pastel-colored murals intertwined with industrial-style design. An unpretentious vibe, affordable drinks, and banging tunes (both established and up-and-coming bands) make it a must for live music lovers.