Yes, Sydney’s got a lot to offer lovers looking for a very romantic dinner for two, from A-class pasta joints to rooftop vistas. Meaning, if you’re looking to dial up the romance over a meal, you’ve got options.
But if you’re looking to do something different this decade, or if you, like us, frequent restaurants and wine bars often enough for it not to be the most exciting of date nights on your agenda—we’re here to reassure you there are more fish in the sea, variety is the spice of life and, yes, Sydney’s got date ideas beyond just dinner and drinks.
We've got staycations, pottery classes, and distillery tours—so get ready to get romantic.
Behold, 10 dates that don’t involve a restaurant.
Race Your Date Around A Go-Karting Rink
While most of Sydney's go-karting is found on the city's outskirts, Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter is hiding Hyper Karting, a 410m-long racing track inside the confines of a giant indoor car park. With bright and spacey fluorescent colours and a dark underground vibe, this electric go-karting (or E-karting) racetrack is channelling some pretty serious Tron vibes if you book in a night-time session. So, if you’re looking to get racy, this could be just the high-octane activity you seek.
Book in a session via Hyper Karting’s website.
Seize The Clay At A Pottery Class
Naturally, the iconic pottery Swayze scene from Ghost springs to mind—and while you probably can’t get quite as supernatural or steamy in one of these awesome Sydney pottery classes, you will get to test your artistic skills, get a bit messy and, hopefully, take home some new crockery for the kitchen (platters, bowls, keep cups and teapots). Plus, some of them offer BYO wine nights, so you can sip away as you create a future masterpiece.
Slurp Oysters While Knee-Deep In Water
We know, we know—food is involved in this Valentine’s Day treat. But there is more to this date idea than aphrodisiacs. Located on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Broken Bay oyster farm offers a hands-on, wader-wearing experience via Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. The ‘Immerse Yourself’ tour will see you slurping down oysters and drinks while wading in water. You’ll also cruise around the oyster leases on a boat and get a hands-on shucking masterclass.
The Immerse Yourself tour costs $195 per person and runs for approximately 150 minutes. To book, head to Sydney Oyster Farm Tours’ website.
Get Competitive Over Arcade Games
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Dating a big kid? Or, just love to get competitive with your other half? Requisite for a fun date night at Archie Brothers is a bae with a healthy sense of competition who ain’t afraid of clowns. The circus-themed adult arcade bar is a wonderland of bright colours, loud noises, and all the other mod-cons of a kidult’s paradise like a cocktail bar slinging boozy thickshakes. The space houses everything from a laser tag arena and 10-pin bowling to dodgem cars and a VR ride, so there is no chance of boredom here.
Float Around The Harbour On A Picnic Boat
Want to live out that scene from The Notebook? You know, the one where Ryan Gosling is paddling a canoe while gazing romantically into Rachel McAdams’ eyes. Except instead of a canoe, it’s an electric GoBoat puttering along Parramatta River and around the harbour. Without the hard work of paddling, you and your partner in crime can cruise along with a picnic and some drinks. No boating licence is required either, as these eco-friendly glorified tinnies go slow and are easy to drive.
Book a GoBoat session via the website.
Tour Sydney’s Most Exciting Art Galleries
Gallery hopping is a great date idea—especially at one of these super-cool Sydney art galleries. You’re bound to see something that excites, challenges, or inspires you and your Valentine. And, hey, maybe it’ll spark some fiery conversation on age-old moot points like, what is art? And, what makes good art?
There are a few world-class exhibitions showing at the moment, including White Rabbit Gallery’s Big In China, Five Hundred Arhats at the Powerhouse, and two Matisse shows at the Art Gallery of NSW—Matisse: Life & Spirit and the multi-sensory Matisse Alive.
Get Boozed (And Knowledgable) At Hickson House
The Rocks has had a bit of a makeover of late, with plenty of new bars and restaurants opening in the historic precinct. So, if you haven’t walked down the historic streets by the harbour in a while, this could be an ideal way to woo your boo. Hot tip: go to Hickson House Distilling Co.
Inside the enormous, lofty bar, a towering wall of backlit gin bottles glows beneath a pair of twinkling chandeliers—this is definitely a breathtaking spot for a cocktail. Then, you’ll want to head on a distillery tour, where you’ll learn all about the whisky- and gin-making processes—and get to sample the goods, of course. The 45-minute tours only run Thursday–Sunday, so you’ll have to book this one in as a pre-V Day date (we suggest you keep another idea up your sleeve for the big day, too).
Hickson House Distilling Co's tours run at 3pm, 4.30pm, and 6pm every Thursday–Sunday, and cost $40 per person. Book via the website.
Tackle Sydney's 80km Coastal Walking Track
The idea of walking from the sun-kissed sands of Bondi all the way to the surfy shores of Manly sounds dreamy, right? If you’re ideal bonding time is a cute-but-somewhat-sweaty adventure, then the Bondi to Manly Walk should be high on your list. It weaves through 80km of major historical points for First Nations people and the First Fleet, as well as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, joining a bunch of existing trails into one mammoth coastal hike. Block out a full day together, grab your walking shoes, snacks and a picnic, and soak up some of Sydney’s prettiest coastline. Does it get much more romantic than that?
For other hikes near Sydney, we've got you covered right here. Prefer something a bit faster? Try these running routes instead.
Book A Staycation
Sydney’s boutique hotel offering has totally exploded over the past five or so years. This means there's ample choice for a romantic city staycation. We love the extra-trendy Paramount House Hotel (with a room service menu that’s 10/10 thanks to chef Mat Lindsay), this former convent turned design hotel in Surry Hills, and of course, The Old Clare Hotel. Or, you could book a night at QT Bondi and try your luck getting into the oh-so-popular Totti’s.
Or Go All Out With A Romantic Getaway
Escaping the big smoke and spending a weekend away with your bae is always a top idea—especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day. So, we're sure you’re already dreaming of a chance to skip town, stoke the fire, and get cosy with your significant other.
NSW is decked out with some stellar romantic escapes featuring outdoor hot tubs, Tuscan-style courtyards, in-house wine cellars, private pontoons, and spa treatments. From self-contained villas in the Hunter Valley and a cosy cave stay in the Blue Mountains to these lavish, safari-style glamping tents and luxe cabins on a South Coast winery, these stays are sure to dial up the romance whenever you book for (because every day is Valentine's Day, right?!).
Need more ideas? Here are the best Valentine’s Day dinners to book this year, as well as an epic Valentine's Day gift guide.
Image credit: Destination NSW, Hyper Karting, Pearls Australia, Zennieshia Butts, GoBoat, Hickson House Distilling Co, The Old Clare Hotel, Paperbark Camp
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