Don’t you just love, love? Being the big old softies that we are at Urban List, we’ve gone and done you a serious solid by rounding up a bunch of super cute and endlessly entertaining date ideas on the Gold Coast to keep your romance blossoming. As time goes by, we know offering to do the dishes just won’t cut it anymore. If you really want to win over your beau, it’s time to step up your date game.
Luckily, we’re here with the best alternative date ideas on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country that will blow your ‘dinner and drinks’ plans straight out of the water. It’s not original and it never was. For those of us who’ve convinced another human we’re sane enough to pair up with, here are the best date ideas on the Gold Coast that are guaranteed to up the romance levels with your special someone.
Sip Your Way Along A Brewery Crawl
Miami to Currumbin
If your partner can’t get enough of the golden thirst quencher then you’re in luck, because the Coast is positively bursting with craft breweries. So why not plan an epic Saturday sesh with your love by taking them on a brewery crawl?
Start in Burleigh with Black Hops and then bike or Uber (depending on how much you’ve had to drink) down the road to Miami and visit the good folk at Lost Palms and Precinct Brewing. Last but certainly not least, head to Currumbin hotspot Balter Brewing for an XPA and a feed from their delish and ever-changing food truck.
Head Up The Mountain For A Mystery Picnic
Tamborine Mountain
Take a break from the city and find some romance amongst the hidden gems of Tamborine Mountain on a mystery picnic date.
Put your thinking caps on to solve the interactive riddles sent to your phone that will take you on a journey around the area to collect local artisan produce. The final clue will lead you to a secret spot where you can enjoy your well deserved picnic—just BYO picnic rug.
Bowl Your Way Into Their Heart
Surfers Paradise
Take it back to your childhood and smash some pins like you’re twelve years old again. A quirky, throwback date can’t be beaten and we’re not saying it should be abused for first date brownie points but it totally should be.
Zone Bowling Surfers Paradise has twelve interactive bowling lanes, which let you choose the images displayed on the ground as you send the ball down towards the pins. Plus, all your favourite arcade games, laser tag and bumper cars are right next door at Timezone Surfers Paradise. You also can't go wrong at Strike Bowling on Cavill Avenue. It’s easy to have fun when you’re smashing bumper cars around like an over-enthusiastic child.
Get Your Hands Dirty At A Pottery Class
14 Nuban St, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223 &
110 Marine Parade, Kingscliff NSW 2487
Image Credit: Stone Studio | Instagram
You’ve all seen that movie, now let’s not bounce around the fact that you’ve all wanted to recreate that scene. We’re talking about ‘Ghost’ and Stone Studio in both Currumbin & Kingscliff offers one of the closest chances you’ll ever get with their ultra-romantic Clay & Sip nights.
Crack open a bottle of wine and get your hands dirty at this beginner wheel-throwing class on Friday nights. BYO bevs of choice and learn the basics of wheel-throwing—plus you'll also have a super cute creation (or two) to take home. Imagine eating homemade pasta with your beau, out of bowls you made yourself. Pretty romantic, if you ask us. Check out more epic pottery classes here.
Get Artsy At A Boozy Painting Class
Various Locations
Image Credit: Brush & Barrel | Supplied
Booze and brilliant works of art might not sound synonymous, but if your bae is of the cultured variety they’ll love the opportunity to show off their artistic skills and drink wine.
Whether you’re a weekday or weekend drinker-meets-creative, here are the Gold Coast's best paint and sip classes. At most of the classes you'll be guided by an instructor while slapping around paint and creating dazzling artworks. Perhaps your muse is the woods, animals, or even your love.
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Embrace Your Inner Picasso At Life Drawing Classes
54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
There’s always that one person who wants to get their kit off on the first date. Fortunately, (or unfortunately, your choice) chances are it won’t be you or your partner this time. So please, put on your shirt back on and grab your lover for a night you will not soon forget.
Dust Temple holds life drawing classes every first and third Thursday of the month for $20 per person (BYO materials). Cast those puritan values aside and sketch.
Attempt Surfing Lessons
Various Locations
If you’re a rarity on the Goldy and find yourself not gifted with the ability to surf, then this date idea will be sure to cool the heat between two lovers.
Whether you are a beginner or pro, a private surfing lesson is guaranteed for some laughs and a little cheeky competition. The view of the stunning Gold Coast skyline in all its glory is also absolutely guaranteed to up the romance levels.
Cook Your Way To Their Heart
Various Locations
We get it. The point of a date is to take out the unnecessary work while you enjoy yourselves. But, if you’re up to tackling a DIY dinner and building those culinary skills, then sign up for one of the many cooking classes offered around the Gold Coast.
Our picks? You can re-enact Lady and the Tramp after a pasta (or pizza) making class at Salt Meats Cheese. Try your hand at creating traditional Mexican dishes at Clay Cantina in Coolangatta. Or, hit Mecca Bah and learn how to master cocktail making, pizza making or let the little ones loose at the kids' cooking class.
Visit A Local Farm
Various Locations
This is one out-of-the-box date idea that is certain to make your new date swoon while you show your softer side. Take them on a farm hopping expedition for sunflower selfies, pick-your-own fruit and veggies, stunning rural views and soul-warming country air.
We've done the hard work for you, with our wrap up of six local farms you can visit which are all within easy driving distance of the Gold Coast.
Find Your Balance At SUP’ing
Currumbin Creek
A little less challenging than surfing, but still resulting in equally as many laughs and use of coordination or, lack thereof. With gear hired from Currumbin Boat Shed, a casual SUP date offers the added bonus of a good time without hurting the hip pocket.
Defy Heights On A Daredevil Climb
Q1 SkyPoint Climb
Image Credit: TEQ | Grace Elizabeth
Not for the faint-hearted, but sure to create a memorable first date, whisk your companion up to the 77th floor of the Q1 Hotel. There’s nothing like visiting the top of Australia’s tallest building to get the love bug going.
Just make sure they aren’t deathly afraid of heights otherwise it’ll be memorable for all the wrong reasons. For those adventurous baes, conquer the SkyPoint Climb, where you’ll soak up stunning views over the Gold Coast—all while being 270 metres above sea level.
Hike In The Hinterland
Various Hinterland Locations
Chuck on that lycra activewear and show off your inner Bear Grylls, ‘cause the Gold Coast Hinterland offers the kinda stunning scenery one could only dream about when being wooed.
You can up the romance levels at this sky-high treetop walk and gawk your way through stunning canopies of overflowing giant trees covered by vines on O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk. Really want to make them sweat? Here's the best bush walks on and around the Gold Coast.
Snack Your Way Around A Twilight Market
23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220
There’s no better way to impress your date than by shovelling copious amounts of food down your throat and wiping your dirty hands on your shirt. But in all seriousness, strolling around the night markets under the fairy lights and snacking as you go sounds like a romantic first date to us.
Miami Marketta is one of our favourite twilight markets and with up-and-coming new acts playing every weekend and a hidden gin parlour, it’s ticking all the romantic boxes.
Cruise The Waterways On A Dog-Friendly Electric Boat
Isle of Capri
Image Credit: GoBoat | Supplied
Cruising the Gold Coast waterways, bubbles in hand, fur baby by your side, all on a private picnic cruise—this is what awaits you at GoBoat Electric Picnic Boats. With no license or experience required to drive, each electric GoBoat fits eight people around a large picnic table and comes complete with a sunshade bimini for extra comfort.
BYO picnic, tipple of choice and jump aboard at the Isle of Capri where you can cruise the Gold Coast waterways with eight people onboard—plus your doggo. Packages range from one hour ($99-$129), to two hours ($149-$219) to three hours of lazy picnic boating ($199-$289). There's plenty of safety equipment onboard and it's the perfect adventure for little ones and doggos.
Set Up A Picnic With A View
Various Locations
Chances are you’ll probably be joining 1,200 other couples at the Gold Coast’s most iconic sunset spot, but a sunset picnic on Burleigh Hill is a sure-fire good time. Pack the picnic blanket, grab a snack from one of the many nearby takeaway joints and BYO bevvies for an oh-so-romantic time, complete with a stunning view.
For something a bit off the beaten track, make your way to The Panorama in Tallai, where you’ll have a secluded hill almost entirely to yourself, while you can soak up stunning views over the city.
Play A Round Of Mini Golf
2492 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Like that annoying family member who’s always wasted at Christmas, this date idea is always sticking around. Mermaid Putt Putt has stood the test of time and delivers all aspects a chill date should offer; junk food, competition, laughter and solid ice-breaking potential for those awkwardly nervous first dates.
Bonus: if you're after group date ideas, mini golf is always a winner and a great way to establish your dominance as the superior couple.
Take It Slow With A Romantic Beachfront Bike Ride
Various Locations
Image Credit: Brooke Darling Photography | Supplied
A beachside bike ride is a cheap and incredibly rewarding way to spend the day. Grab a beach cruiser from Cheap As Bike Rentals from $15 and soak up the ocean views as you cycle along the Gold Coast’s expansive waterfront.
If you want to take it up a notch, test your relationship with a tandem bike. It’s a fun (and at times frustrating) way to explore the coastline. If you can last a day of tandem riding together, you can last a lifetime.
Snuggle At The Drive-In Movies
100 Stapylton Jacobs Well Rd, Stapylton QLD 4207
Normally we’re not one for movies on dates. But the beauty of this date night option is that you’re confined to a car and won’t be disrupting other viewers should the conversation really flow. Also, the drive-ins are a seriously legit excuse for the classic yawn and reach around a la Grease style.
Impress Your Date With Your Creative Flair
27 Lemana Ln, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Whether you’re vibing on watercolour painting, printmaking, pottery wheeling or embroidery (as all red-blooded males do) then make The Craft Parlour your next date option. Offering an array of creative workshops to put your hands to good use, you’ll be far too preoccupied to be thinking about dinner and drinks.
Show Off Your Moves At A Beginner Salsa Class
Unit 3/76 Ferry Rd, Southport QLD 4215
What better way to win your love interest over than by showcasing your horrendous dance abilities? It’s definitely not going to get you a place on Dancing with the Stars but a session with Gold Coast Salsa might just dance your way into your partner’s heart.
If you’re feeling adventurous and are somewhat confident in your pelvic ability and coordination, salsa dancing is a damn sexy first date.
Looking for more? Check out:
- The Gold Coast's Best Restaurants
- The Gold Coast's Best Accommodation
- 50 Free Things To Do On The Gold Coast
Main image credit: Urban List
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