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Variety is the spice of life, so why not look beyond the classics (fancy dinner and a movie) and celebrate your love with a bucket-list helicopter ride or an exciting underwater adventure? Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just want to spend time with your special person, there’s something for every kind of couple.
The Best Romantic Experiences in Victoria
Alba Thermal Springs, Mornington Peninsula
Located in the Mornington Peninsula, a wellness experience at Alba Thermal Springs is a one-way ticket to bliss. Dip your way through 22 bathing pools – including geothermal pools open to the elements and a rain pool – and amble over to Thyme where a menu designed by award-winning chef Karen Martini awaits. Toast your love with a glass of local wine or craft beer before tucking into a delicious two-course lunch.
Three-Hour Paella & Churros Cooking Class, Port Melbourne
Spice up your Valentine’s Day with a hands-on Spanish cooking class at Hola con Lola in Port Melbourne. Led by expert chef Lola Migliore, this experience will have you crafting rich, aromatic paella and mastering the art of golden, crispy churros. After all the fun in the kitchen, sit back and savour your creations over lunch accompanied by sangria, lively Spanish tunes and your lucky date.
The Best Romantic Experiences in Victoria
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.
Five-Course Sardinian Tasting Menu at Chef-Hatted Pilu, Freshwater
Go the extra mile for your significant other with a culinary escape to Sardinia at one of Sydney’s most awarded restaurants, Pilu at Freshwater. With views over the picturesque Freshwater Beach, this chef-hatted restaurant offers a breathtaking setting for its acclaimed five-course tasting menu. Let the coastal interiors set the scene as chef and owner Giovanni Pilu brings the bold flavours of his Sardinian heritage to every dish, think Sardinian spinach and goat milk ricotta ravioli and Hiramasa kingfish crudo with blood orange, Campari and mint
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 the 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 sweetlips 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 watch the splashing waves on your return journey to Port Douglas.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Western Australia
Gondola Ride on the Spectacular Swan River, Perth
Swap the canals of Venice for the charms of Perth with a private gondola ride along the glistening Swan River. Glide through the water in a Venetian-inspired long boat, complete with plush velvet seating, the serenade of mandolin music and a gondolier decked out in traditional Venetian attire. For 30 magical minutes, you’ll soak up the romance and breathtaking views of Perth’s iconic skyline – all from the cosiest seat on the river.
Avon Valley Hot Air Balloon Flight with Breakfast, Burswood
Peer into the lush folds of the Avon Valley at sunrise with a hot air balloon flight. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday this year, this weekday slot is the perfect excuse to tick off a bucket list experience. 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’s usually reserved for the birds. Upon landing, you can continue to revel in your love with a buffet-style breakfast at Dôme Cafe in Northam.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Tasmania
Coal Valley Wine, Gin & Cheese Tour, Hobart
If you and your Valentine happen to be in Hobart on February 14, then this all-encompassing tour is the perfect day out. Start with awe-inspiring views from the top of Mt Wellington/kunanyi before diving into Coal Valley’s finest wineries and distilleries for tastings of wine, gin and local spirits. At Frogmore Creek Winery, savour a two-course lunch paired with local wines, then wander historic Richmond Village hand-in-hand. Along the way, sweeten the journey with cheese and chocolate tastings fit for two.
Wine Tasting & Two-Course Lunch with Matched Wines at Josef Chromy Wines, Launceston
Raise a glass to romance with a wine lover’s dream at Josef Chromy Wines in Tasmania. Start with a guided tasting of four exquisite drops before settling into the chef-hatted Josef Chromy Restaurant for a two-course lunch that’s as beautifully plated as it is delicious. With stunning vineyard views and perfectly paired wines, it’s the ideal way to toast to love – whether it’s with your partner, friends or family.
The Most Romantic Experiences in Northern Territory
Uluṟu Sunrise and Field of Light, Uluṟu
See the sparkle in your love’s eyes at dawn with a sunrise Uluṟu 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 Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa National Park in all its glory will make the early rise and shine well worth it.
Feature image: Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Source: Supplied.
