25 Gold Coast Date Ideas That Aren’t Just Dinner And Drinks

Don’t you just love, love? Being the big old softies that we are at Urban List, I’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, offering to do the dishes just won’t cut it anymore. If you really want to win over your beau or beauty, it’s time to step up your date game.

Luckily, the best alternative date ideas on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country are here. Guaranteed to blow your ‘dinner and drinks’ plans straight out of the water. 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 to up the romance levels with your special someone.

Gold Coast Date Ideas At A Glance

• Date Ideas For Foodies
• Date Ideas For Creatives
• Date Ideas For Nature Lovers
• Date Ideas For Fitness Lovers
• Date Ideas For Playful Duos

Date Ideas For Foodies

Cook Your Way To Their Heart

Various Locations

I 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.

My top pick's to try your hand at creating traditional Mexican dishes at Clay Cantina in Coolangatta. There's seasonal classes on or full-blown Mexican cooking parties for groups of 10 if you want to make a double-double date (then some) a thing. Or, hit Mecca Bah and learn how to master cocktail making, which let's be honest, we could all brush up on. 

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 date to me. Whether it's your first or your fiftieth.

Miami Marketta is one of my favourite twilight markets and with up-and-coming new acts playing every weekend and a hidden gin parlour, head down from 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and BYO appetite. 

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. Winning plan: an epic Saturday sesh with your love 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. Stay close to the Gold Coast Highway for bus and tram travel options.

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. Cost: $160

Date Ideas For Creatives

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. I'm obvi talking about ‘Ghost’ and Crockd Studios (formerly 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 a beginner wheel-throwing, vase-making, or booty mug-building class. BYO bevs of choice and leave with a super cute creation (or two). Imagine eating homemade pasta with your beau, out of bowls you made yourself. Pretty romantic, if you ask me. Check out more epic pottery classes here. Cost: From $115

Create Something New Together

87 W Burleigh Rd, 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. Though there's that too, close by with MC's Sandwich House right next door. 

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 vino ala Andy Warhol.

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

23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220

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 your shirt back on and grab your lover for a night you will not soon forget.

Miami Marketta hosts frequent life drawing classes for $30 per person with materials provided. Cast those puritan values aside and sketch. Cost: $30+ booking fee per person.

Catch A Show

135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Whether you want to bypass the first date constant chatter and kick back at a movie instead, do a value-check with a comedy show and see what jokes they laugh (or don't laugh at), even indulge in a performance that's just so you guys (looking at you Led Zeppelin orchestra in the amphitheatre, just me?). Then HOTA has it all. Between frequently rotating exhibitions, theatre productions and stage shows, comedy, live music, talks and film festivals, this really is a mecca for dates on the Gold Coast. 

There's a full lake and parkland to wander around, markets on weekends to pull up a rug at, or come night there's foodie delights to induldge in at Palette or a rooftop hideaway at the Exhibitionist Bar if it's time for the date to end, but neither of you are ready to say goodbye yet. 

Date Ideas For Nature Lovers

Visit A Local Farm

Various Locations

This is one out-of-the-box date idea that is certain to make them swoon as you meander through fields, aw at farm animals and even collect up a haul to take home. Take them on a farm hopping expedition for sunflower selfies, pick-your-own fruit and veggies, stunning rural views and soul-warming country air. 

There's Farm & Co in Cudgen that homes sunflower fields in full bloom around December through March, though surprisingly are in bloom most of the year through crop rotation. Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm where you can pick berries and share an ice cream cone made from the field's harvest. Or Tumbulgum's Husk Distillery, which is, well, a gin distillery. But there are cows in the distance and sometimes hay bales, so that counts as a farm, right?

Hike In The Hinterland

Various Hinterland Locations

Chuck on that lycra activewear and show off your adventurous side, ‘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. My favourite hinterland explore for dates is Tamborine Mountain's Curtis Falls. It's the perfect level of dense rainforest, flowing streams and epic views. Make sure you do the full track after the waterfall lookout. There's a grassy knoll for picnicking on once you've returned to the carpark, or a cafe right by the entrance. 

Really want to make them sweat? Here's the best bush walks on and around the Gold Coast.

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. My pick's a prawn and calamari pizza with garlic, chilli and lemon from Justin Lane. If parking's out of control, head to Alex Black Car Park, next to Park Avenue. There's almost always a spot. 

For something a bit off the beaten track, and less known, 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.

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. Cost: from $99.

Wander Around The Botanical Gardens

Various Locations

It's the dog-friendly date idea Gold Coast lovers adore. A wander around the expansive area that is the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. This place is massive. From the lakelands filled with adorable turtles and a snaking boardwalk, to the native bushfood garden and gumtree corridor. There's even an off-leash dog area and swimming lagoon for them to cool off in. BYO matcha and pound the pavement as you meander around the parklands. Honestly, it's well-worth a stop, and the best park about this looping track is that you can call it a day at one lap, or go again if the conversation's flowing. 

Or opt for Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens which is brimming with rose gardens, snap drags, sheltered rainforest walks and more challenging summit tracks. Grab a cuppa and head here, or pack a full picnic for a waterside snackathon. 

Date Ideas For Fitness Lovers

Find Your Balance At SUP’ing 

Murlong Park, Tallebudgera Creek, Murlong Crescent, Palm Beach QLD 4221

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 All Coast Paddle Boards Hire, a casual SUP date offers the added bonus of a good time without hurting the hip pocket.

The team here are super friendly and give good intel about the conditions and technique, so you'll be in safe hands. Well, right until you're out in the deep, reach for your date to steady you and both fall in which is both hilarious and romantic and leaves you wondering how you will get back on the board graciously. 

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 date on the Gold Coast, whisk your love 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 lovers, conquer the SkyPoint Climb, where you’ll soak up stunning views over the Gold Coast—all while being 270 metres above sea level.

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.

Hit up Get Wet Surf School in Main Beach, Australian Surfing Adventures in Burleigh, Broadbeach Surf School in Broadbeach or Go Ride A Wave in Surfers Paradise. 

Take 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. Hire a Lime Bike from one of the many Gold Coast locations (download the Lime App for real-time locales) 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. Rumour has it, if you can last a day of tandem riding together, you can last a lifetime.

Try A Swing Dancing Class

Mermaid Beach Bowls Club, 9 Markeri St, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218

For a midweek date to get your heart pumping, look no further than Swing On In. This full energy dance school welcomes beginners and advanced dancers alike. Headed by husband and wife team Ray and Chrissy, there is love in the air from the moment you walk in. Their cheeky banter sets the scene for a low pressure, fun date. And if your date doesn't work out? I know more than a handful of wedded duos that met on this dance floor, so there's that. Head down Wednesday night from 6.30pm. Bonus points if you head down early and play a game of barefoot bowls before class ($7 for 1-2 hours) to get your chats in before you're spinning and full belly laughing on the d-floor. 

Have a date coming up quick? Head down 28 Jan 2026 for a free class. Regular cost $20.

Recover at Breathe Performance

10/354 Brisbane Rd, Arundel, QLD 4214

Prefer to sweat solo? I get it. Follow your gym sesh with a full body recovery at Breathe Performance bathhouse. You could even opt for one of their upstairs reformer classes. Inside the recovery centre you'll indulge in magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, a traditional sauna, steam room and free-flowing sparkling water. Order wellness lattes from the cafe and protein rich snacks delivered direct to the industrial chic snacking nook. What I love about this date idea is that it's capped time, you each get a cheeky look at their rig and if the good times are flowing, it's a short drive or casual wander over to Black Hops II. $39 per person for 90 minutes. 

Ride Down The Rail Trail

Various locations

If you haven't heard of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, consider it option number one for your active date. Road trip to Murwillumbah and grab a bike (or pack your own), then pedal down a pristine track, dotted with quaint cafes, eateries and even a pub. This bustling bike path is actually the old railway line, so the scenery is next-level beautiful. Want to make a full day and night of it? Stay at a farmstay, hotel or even eco retreat at one of the many accommodation options along the track. 

Date Ideas For Playful Duos

Snuggle At The Drive-In Movies

100 Stapylton Jacobs Well Rd, Stapylton QLD 4207

Normally, I'm 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. 

Play A Round Of Mini Golf

2492 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218

Like that annoying family member who’s always asking you about the hobby you had at 8 years old despite being 29, 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.

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. Cost: $15 per person.

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.

 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. From $19.90 per person.

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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