Whether you’re head over heels for a blissful spa day in Mornington Peninsula or prefer adventurous dining in Brisbane, Australia is full of romantic experiences to make your quality time more meaningful.
Australia is abundant in experiences that amp up the romance while allowing you time to refresh and reconnect. Variety is the spice of life, so why not look beyond a classic ‘fancy dinner’ and celebrate your love with a bucket-list helicopter ride or an exciting underwater adventure? Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just wanting to spend some time with your special person – there’s something to do for every kind of couple across our sunburnt country.
Read on for our list of romantic experiences that will have you falling in love all over again.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Victoria
Alba Thermal Springs, Mornington Peninsula
Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to disconnect – luxurious pampering, secluded soaking and laidback dining is on offer at Alba Thermal Springs. Located in the Mornington Peninsula, a blissful wellness experience here is a one-way ticket to cloud nine, with 22 bathing pools to choose from, including geothermal pools open to the elements and a rain pool. After you’ve reached Zen, amble over to Thyme where a menu designed by award-winning chef Karen Martini awaits. Tuck into two courses of your choosing, then cheers to your love with a glass of local wine or craft beer.
Dumpling Party, Abbotsford
Spice up your date night with a cooking class at Otao Kitchen, founded by Hanoi native, chef Ha Nguyen. Since 2014, this kitchen has been celebrating the rich and varied culinary experiences of Melbourne’s multicultural community. The interactive dumpling making class sees you creating these doughy parcels of goodness with your choice of filling. Once you’ve evolved from student into culinary maestro, you’ll be invited to feast on your hard work with a glass of sparkling wine. It’s not just the art of dumplings that you can study: classes range from Asian (Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese) to European (Italian, Spanish) and even Mexican.
The Most Romantic Experiences in New South Wales
Sydney Harbour Cruise & Waterside Dining, Circular Quay
Want to celebrate your love in style? There’s nothing more spectacular than cruising Sydney Harbour with a glass (or two) of chilled bubbles. Admire iconic landmarks, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the open deck, then continue your starry-eyed celebrations at a handpicked waterside restaurant for a long lunch or dinner. There’s no better place to unwind with your special person.
Long Chim Thai Banquet for Two, Sydney
If spicy food is the way to your loved one’s heart, wow them with seven Thai dishes influenced by the frenetic markets of Bangkok. Long Chim, meaning ‘come and try’, serves up authentic, fiery plates that claim to be as explosive as you’d find in Thailand. Cosy up to your significant other and share dishes like duck breast red curry, som tum (spicy green papaya salad) and miang kham betel leaf wrap. Plus, with one glass of house beer or wine to whet your whistle, this dining experience is a great gift that you both get to enjoy.
The Most Romantic Experiences in South Australia
Private Helicopter to d’Arenberg, Wine Blending Session & Eight-Course Degustation, McLaren Vale
Sweep a loved one off their feet with a luxurious day of wining and dining in McLaren Vale. Start with a helicopter transfer over the South Australian coastline and fruitful wine region, then touch down at the famous d’Arenberg. Create your own bespoke wine in an interactive blending session, then devour an eight-course degustation menu at their flagship restaurant nestled within the picture-perfect rolling hills. For those art inclined, you and yours can take a romantic stroll through the d'Arenberg Cube's famous art installations.
Romantic Helicopter Flight to Mystery Location with Picnic & Wine, Hahndorf
Prefer your aerial adventure with a side of mystery? Lift off from Hahndorf to a secret location, where a picnic laden with gourmet treats awaits. Slow down and take in views of the Adelaide Hills as you devour soft cheeses, antipasto and wine. Back on board the helicopter, look deep into the emerald, green heart of the Adelaide Hills from the sky as you return to your departure point in Hahndorf.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Queensland
Vertigo, Brisbane
Take your love to new heights at Vertigo – Brisbane’s first vertical experience at the iconic Powerhouse. Dangle your feet four stories in the air, then dine on three-courses from Bar Alto’s expert chefs. Enjoy the likes of Carnaroli risotto with bay bugs, spring peas and mint, or gnocchi fritto, with proscuitto and stracchino. After sharing your dessert, why not opt for a thrilling 17-metre dropline descent to get back to ground level? There’s nothing like living life on the edge to bring you and your beloved together.
Luxury Great Barrier Reef Eco Tour, Port Douglas
There’s something undeniably romantic about sailing on the turquoise ocean, with the breeze blowing in your hair. There’s no better place to do it than the Great Barrier Reef, with an intimate luxury sailing tour courtesy of Sailaway. Here, romantics can spend some quality time away from crowded boats and have the freedom to explore as you please. With a marine biologist on board, learn the difference between an angel fish, damsel fish and sweetlip as you admire the kaleidoscopic array of aquatic creatures who live in this slice of paradise. Back on board, you and your special person can laze on the foredecks and simply watch the splashing waves on your return journey to Port Douglas.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Western Australia
Avon Valley Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast, Burwood
Peer into the lush folds of the Avon Valley at sunrise with a hot air balloon flight. Watch as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, see the hot air balloon’s reflection in serene rivers and spot quaint towns begin to wake up as you drift more than 600m above them. Witness the ever-changing landscape and high granite outcrops over the valley, with a view that is usually reserved for the birds. Upon landing, you can continue to revel in your love with a buffet-style breakfast at DOME.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Tasmania
Bespoke Gin Mixology Class, Birchs Bay
Found the gin to your tonic? Get into the spirit of romance with a bespoke gin mixology class at Hartshorn Distillery's Ewenique Tasting House. This micro-distillery in Birchs Bay shares land with Grandvewe Cheeses and is the first team in the world to make spirits from sheep’s whey. This sustainable approach to waste has already won the top honour in the World Vodka Awards 2018, while taking out the Innovative Tasmania 2017 Young Innovator of the Year award.
Taste, mix and blend premium spirits to create your own personalised gin from classic flavour profiles, or use your own palate to find the perfect tipple. Cap off your mixology session by taking home a personalised, wax-sealed gin bottle. Set in a beautiful tasting house, this property overlooks D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island, making it the perfect location to spend a serene afternoon.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Northern Territory
Uluru Sunrise and Field of Light, Uluru
See the sparkle in your love’s eyes at dawn with a sunrise Uluru and Field of Light tour. Start the day with a romantic meander through the immersive Field of Light art installation to see 50,000 individual spheres of technicolour light come alive. Continue onto the dune-top viewing area where you’ll be invited to see the Red Centre drenched in ochre-red hues. This epic sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta in all its glory will make the early rise and shine well worth it.
Looking for more inspiration? Read Australia’s Most Romantic Hotels
Feature image: Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Source: Supplied.
