There are dozens of fun things to do in Melbourne for couples, no matter if you’re on your first tinder date or celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary. This city is full of gems – from unique shows and live music venues to tasting tours, open-air movies, outdoor adventures, and romantic getaways.
These Melbourne date ideas can be used no matter how far along in your relationship you are, as long as you are fun! I’ve included a few fantastic ice-breakers (bars and activities that will lessen any awkwardness on a first date) and also some extremely romantic things to do with an established beau.
No matter what, these are all unique and fun things to do in Melbourne for couples – go ahead and pick which one fits your bill the best!
No time to read the whole post? I get you! My TOP recommendation for a date idea in Melbourne is to impress your date with a sunrise hot air balloon ride with a champagne breakfast.
Exploring Melbourne? Check out My Other Articles:
- Melbourne Weekend Getaways (also perfect for couples!)
- Guide + Map to Melbourne Hidden Bars (also fun for couples)
- Best Breakfast+Brunch in Melbourne CBD (because you’ll obviously go out to brekky)
- 13 Must-See Melbourne Day Trips
- Fitzroy Bars: A Guide (+ Map) to the Best Brunswick St Bars and Beyond
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AmazingCo Mystery Picnic or Other Experiences
AmazingCo is my new favorite company, and if you bear with me, I think they will be yours, too. AmazingCo has experiences in/near cities all over the world… and has TONS in Melbourne. They have food discovery tours, murder mystery party setups, and even girls/date night-in setups for fun times at home.
My FAVORITE thing they do, though, is their signature experience: The Mystery Picnic. This is a scavenger hunt that leads you to 4-6 different local businesses around an area to pick up picnic supplies, and then to a lovely area to have your picnic. I wrote a whole Mystery Picnic review here.
They set up Mystery Picnics for couples in Melbourne CBD, the Macedon Ranges, Torquay, the Bellarine Peninsula, Ballarat, and even Bendigo!! No matter what you and your date have in mind, there is a new and exciting Mystery Picnic for you. This is one of the most fun and unique dates I have done, and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as we did!
Yarra River 4 Course Dinner Cruise (Spirit of Melbourne)
This probably isn’t the best idea for a first date or new beau, but it’s a glorious Melbourne activity for couples who are looking for a good old-fashioned date night.
You may have seen the big red “Spirit of Melbourne” boat docked up in Southbank during the day, but come night time this old gal takes starry-eyed couples out on an indulgent date night.
Don’t let the price tag scare you – it’s all-inclusive of a FOUR-course menu, cheese platter, tea/coffee, AND drinks. Yes, I did say AND drinks. 😉 There aren’t many places in Melbourne you’ll find that – especially while floating on the Yarra River for a few hours!
Go to An Outdoor Cinema
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Melbourne for couples in the summer, it’s perfect timing for an outdoor cinema. Melbourne actually has multiple different outdoor cinemas that you can pick between for a movie under the night sky.
The Moonlight Cinema is actually in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. There’s a massive screen with food vendors and big bean bags to rent.
Sunset Cinema is located in Mount Martha at The Briars, about an hour South of Melbourne along the Coast.
Check out a Local Fever Event
Fever is an awesome company that puts on unique experiences in cities all over the world, and they have a FANTASTIC selection in Melbourne that is absolutely perfect for date night. Here are some of the best things to do in Melbourne for couples on Fever:
- Old Melbourne Ghost Tour with Dinner: I’m taking my partner to this soon for something fun, different, and spooky where we can hold each other tight (and eat delicious food).
- Harry Potter: a Forbidden Forest Experience: This super unique and fun date idea takes you to The Briars into an illuminated forest full of wizarding wonders. How romantic!!
Take Your Partner to a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight Concerts are Fever’s main thing, and they have ALL kinds of different candlelight concerts from full orchestras to tributes to certain artists and albums (like Radiohead or Adele). They’re often held in magical, romantic venues perfect for a date, such as the Sea Life aquarium or Meat Market.
Check for Fun Groupon Deals
On a budget and keen for a bit of an adventure at a lower price than usual?! Check Groupon! My partner and I have gotten tons of deals on Groupon in Melbourne, from massages to fancy dinners for a fraction of the price. It’s always great to try something new at a better price than usual!
You just have to be a bit open-minded to the fact that it may not be on par with, say, the fancy dinner cruise above. Some restaurants/venues etc may just be starting out and finding their bearings, but no matter what it will be cheap and an adventure! We had a $150+ dinner for about $50 one week, and some great massages.
Groupon is also available in many countries, so you can book it from overseas if you are coming to Melbourne on holiday. Don’t forget to apply for the Australia ETA before you arrive.
Some of my favorite things to get on Melbourne Groupon (click to check current offers):
- Couples Massages
- Dinner for Two (usually many 3+ course or more casual options)
- Other Activities (laser tag, water parks, garden mazes, and more!)
Check Out a Magic Show
Yep, there’s actually a really fun regular magic show in the CBD. Each Friday evening, local magician Luke Hocking lights up a 5-star performance room in the Melbourne CBD Marriott Hotel off Exhibition Street. You’ll enjoy a great 80-minute intimate magic show and unique romantic experience.
What better for a bit of a different Melbourne date night idea than seeing some impossible tricks from a more rare form of art?! If it all goes well, you can check out some of the bars I’ve mentioned below, afterwards!
Fun Melbourne Bars for Couples and Dates
To be on the list of fun things to do in Melbourne for couples, I reckon a bar has to have something special about it – an ordinary bar won’t do. So below I have included a few awesome and unique bars that would fit the bill for a cool date idea without being boring.
If you are really into hidden bars, check out my Melbourne Hidden Bars Guide + Map (I used to lead hidden bar tours, so consider myself a bit of an expert) or my guide to Fitzroy Bars if you’re more into the hipster vibe.
Holey Moley Mini Golf Bar
Holey Moley is a hilarious indoor mini-golf course spanning out two floors of the CBD (and there’s another one in city at the Crown Casino in Southbank too). It’s an amazing date idea – I know because my current partner took me here on our first date! Cute, huh?!
Sign up for a course, grab a golf club, and some balls, then grab a drink from the bar (there’s a place to put your drink at the beginning of each hole of course). It’s the perfect fun evening whether you don’t know each other well or not (making fun of each others’ golf skills/ boasting your skills is both a great ice breaker and a hilarious bonding experience). They have Holy Moley’s all over Australia, too!
Bartronica/Pixel Alley
Bartronica (in the city) and Pixel Alley (Fitzroy) are really fun video game bars. Pixel Alley has more old fashioned games, while Bartronica has both older games (pinball, pac man, shooting games, driving games) and newer/game console games (from Nintendo 64 onwards) with the possibility to reserve a little curtained game room.
These are fun bars to go as a couple because it has the element of playing games along with drinks. They are a great night idea for a new date too, as the playing of the game can remove any awkwardness or conversation lulls.
Enjoy playing a shooting/driving game against each other or be the judge of each other’s skills at Super Mario World or other silly arcade games.
The Lui Bar
If you want a bit more of a sophisticated experience, visit the highest rooftop bar in the city at the top of the Rialto Towers. If the Eureka Skydeck isn’t your thing, head up to this snazzy joint and grab a cocktail to enjoy with an AMAZING view of Melbourne. Not only that, but they have delicious snack food and different events throughout the year. This bar is sure to impress!
Check Out the Melbourne Zoo or an Animal Sanctuary
Nothing brings people together more than the shared experience of cuddling an adorable animal… right?! 😀 There are tons of places you can explore cute and cuddly OR massive and terrifying animals… all around the proximity of Melbourne!
If you don’t want to go too far, check out the Melbourne Zoo. There’s a wide variety of animals you can see there, many within enclosures that you can see from farther away. Grab discounted tickets online here.
If you have the means or more time, check out the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This is a bit different from a normal Zoo in that you actually board safari vehicles in an African style, and drive around the massive open area looking for wild animals. You can get there by car or also by public transport. Book tickets here.
Check Out a Theatre Show
Melbourne is actually very well known for theatre and musicals. It’s a great theatre city to the point that many shows begin in New York, continue to London, and then come right here to Melbourne! Have you ever seen a show here?!
If not, seeing a show is one of the fancier yet very fun things to do in Melbourne for couples. Melbourne has seen the likes of Evita, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West Side Story, and more. These are all very impressive and romantic date ideas that are easily paired with a nice dinner! The best theatres to check out would be the State Theatre, the Regent Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Princess Theatre.
For a current list of different theatres and shows throughout the city, check this list.
Trampoline Time at Bounce Inc
Taking each other on in a trampoline battle would be one of the most fun things to do in Melbourne for couples, in my book (and hopefully yours too)! Head just outside the city to Glen Iris (or two other locations) to access the amazing trampoline world of Bounce Inc.
You can jump on dozens of interconnected trampolines, jump off a big cliff, and even do an adventure challenge for maximum laughs. there’s no better way to solidify your love!
Brunching + Coffee
Brunch and coffee are two things that are quintessentially Melbourne, so any couple coming through the area would be silly not to indulge in this part of Melburnian culture. Melbourne is known to have the best coffee and breakfast in Australia… if not the world!
If you’re more of a morning date person, take your love to an amazing breakfast out. You can read my Melbourne CBD Brunch Guide here, but for the purpose of this article, my favorites are:
Higher Ground, Krimper Cafe, White Mojo (CBD), Au79, Three Bags Full (Abbotsford), Breakfast Theives, Slowpoke Espresso (Fitzroy/Collingwood), St Ali Coffee Roasters, Pure South Dining (Southbank/South Melbourne), Galleon (St Kilda), Black Gold, Cheeky Monkey, A Thousand Blessings (Richmond), and Journeyman (Prahran).
Hot Air Balloon Sunrise
If you want a REALLY unique date idea to sweep your other half off their feet (literally and figuratively), take them in a hot air balloon! This date idea is a great Melbourne experience that should be on any couples’ bucket list!
If you’ve been up early enough, you may have seen the hot air balloons that gently graze the skyline as the sun does the same. These are one-hour flights with the opportunity for an extra-romantic champagne breakfast and accommodation pickup as well.
They take off from a park near Yarra Bend, and are one of the best romantic things to do in Melbourne for couples. There’s no better way to start a very special day!
Dirty Dumplings in Chinatown
One of the most fun things to do in Melbourne for couples is to visit Chinatown and get some hot food! Locals know the tiny and authentic little dumpling houses as “dirty dumplings” because the health and safety may at times seem slightly suspect…. but it’s more of a loving term because you grow to know they’re trustworthy. 😉
Take a stroll down Little Bourke Street for lunch or dinner, and pop into one of the dozens of little dumpling houses that line the street. If you eat enough to be food-coma-worthy full, it will still rarely cost you more than $20-$30 each. What a price – even in the city!
Don’t forget the dumpling houses are also BYO – grab some wine beforehand for a classic Melbourne dinner date idea.
Go Skydiving!
Calling all adventure couples out there: Melbourne actually has one of only TWO city skydives in the WORLD. Skydive St Kilda has the closest dropzone to a city in the world, which means AMAZING views both of the beaches and the CBD.
If that doesn’t get you giddy, you can also Skydive the Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley… or all three! I did this in August and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Melbs. If you and your love adore adventure, this could be one of the best days ever!
The city skydive meets in st Kilda – you just have to make sure the weather is not too windy before you leave. They will drive you about an hour to the airport, where you will board the plane and then… jump!
Romantic Helicopter Ride
While we are on the subject of flying through the air, did you know that there are over 10 different kinds of Melbourne helicopter rides? There are a few scenic heli trips over the CBD, and a few Great Ocean Road tours that involve either a helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles or actually flying you there in one (epic).
But my personal FAVORITE and most ROMANTIC IDEA is a PRIVATE Yarra Valley Helicopter wine tour with wine, dinner, and more. You can visit multiple wineries while enjoying amazing views from the sky.
I honestly think a Melbourne helicopter tour might be one of the very most romantic things to do in Melbourne for couples… like, if you want to propose or something. It ain’t cheap, but it’s boujee as hell!
Read my article on the different Melbourne helicopter rides to survey your options.
Rent a Cabin in the Dandenongs
The Dandenong Ranges are a gorgeous getaway from Melbourne. The mountain ranges are only about 45 minutes from Melbourne, but you’ll feel like you just entered an entirely different country when you enter the winding and forrested roads.
There are some amazing rentals up here that would be awesome for a couples’ getaway (the feature image for this post was taken up there). Here are some of my faves:
- Fern Falls Cottage – Secluded forest cabin with jacuzzi
- Pet-Friendly Luxury Escape
- Mountain Cottage with Jacuzzi, Garden, & Balcony
Go on a Bike Ride (With Picnic Supplies)
Many don’t know that Melbourne is FULL of amazing bike trails the can take you for many kilometers along amazing views. You can rent bikes at a few places in the CBD, and take them on the adventure of a lifetime.
My top ideas for a bike ride would be to take it along the Main Yarra Trail, which stretches from the CBD and follows the lusciously green twists and turns of the Yarra River for over 35km. It seriously feels like you’ve left the city entirely! You can ride it as long as you want, and find a serene park spot with a river view to stop and have a picnic. Check a map here!
Another idea is to take a bike ride along the beach along the Bay Trail. This one actually stretches for the entirety of the coastline all the way from Port Melbourne down to Portsea, if you so desire (but trust me, you don’t. ha). Ride a bike along the bay trail and choose a secluded beach to have a picnic along the water! Try riding to the Brighton Bathing Boxes as well.
Take a Chocolate Tour
Whether you are from Melbourne or not, you may not know that it’s actually well-known for having lots of quality chocolate. There are different shops all over the city, and one amazing company has put together a tour where you can visit tons of them in one delicious afternoon.
Think, an afternoon where you and your date have 10+ different kinds of chocolate tastings, tea, coffee, local knowledge, and even a wine pairing! This tour is fab for locals, lovers, and visitors alike. You will also get to see a bit more of the city, visit some famous places, and eat plenty of chocolate!
Go Rock Climbing
Melbourne has some awesome indoor rock climbing walls, which would be super fun for an adventurous daytime Melbourne date idea. Rock climbing is a different experience and an athletic challenge you wouldn’t want to miss in Melbourne – just make sure you trust your partner to hold the rope! 😛
If you and your significant other want something a bit different and daring, Hardrock Climbing is right in the CBD, or there are often multiple rock climbing deals on Groupon in Brunswick, Northcote, Knox, and more.
Get 360 Degree Views at the Eureka Skydeck
There’s nothing more magical than gazing out over a beautiful view with your partner… and if the highest viewing platform in not only Australia but the whole Southern Hemisphere (no kidding) doesn’t accomplish that sense of magic, I’m pretty sure nothing else would.
Although it can obviously be considered on the more touristy side of things, you truly can’t beat the view from the Eureka Skydeck. The best time to go is just before sunset, so you can see the whole city in the light, see sunset from above, and then the lights slowly turn on. You can grab basic drinks up at the top like beer, wine, coffee ,ad nsoft drinks. But if you want REAL drinks, check-up in the bar section of this article at Bar Lui.
Punting on the Lake
if you’re looking for a bit more of a romantic thing to do in Melbourne for couples, think about going Punting on the Lake. Inside the Royal Botanic Gardens, you can take a punt boat ride all around the lakes with a traditionally-dressed guide.
You can find the boats in the middle of the Botanic gardens, next to the bustling cafe. The views are colorful and wonderful, and it’s a unique Melbourne experience.
You can hold an old-fashioned parasol if it’s hot (the perfect photo op) and learn all about the ecosystems in the gardens.
Melbourne Star
The Melbourne Star is an attraction that even many locals haven’t been on, and it’s absolutely worth doing once. After all, it’s the only observation wheel in the southern hemisphere! For a fun Melbourne outing for couples, take a ride on the Melbourne Star and soar above the Melbourne skyline.
I recommend teeing up your ride for sunset – you can also check out a nice restaurant in Docklands before or after. On a date, make sure to get the Melbourne Star ticket that includes a drink of bubbly!
Melbourne Dinner Ideas for Couples
As Melbourne is a foodie city, it’s definitely one of the fun things to do in Melbourne for couples to go and eat a delicious lunch or dinner. Some restaurants that would complete a special night with a special someone are:
Chin Chin
As one of Melbourne’s best-rates restaurants, Chin Chin is a shoe-in for date night ideas in Melbourne. If you want the full experience, try the ‘Feed Me’ option where they will bring out courses upon courses of delicious Aussie-Asian Fusion food until you can’t eat another bite… then they’ll bring dessert.
Dine in the Dark
Head to Dining in the Dark Melbourne for a true sensory dining experience… in the dark! Truly focus on the taste of a delicious multiple-course menu with wine pairings when you aren’t actually able to see the dish. There are few of these that come through Melbourne and only last a few months at a time, so look into Dans Le Noir or Dining in the Dark to see what’s on now.
Catch Some Live Music Together
Melbourne is known as one of the live music capitals of the world, so making the most of this would be perfect for a Melbourne date night. No matter which day of the week it is, you can find a venue with live music – more highly concentrated up on the north side in Fitzroy, Collingwood, or Brunswick.
Some of my faves for live music are B. East, Baxter’s Lot, Bar Open, Grace Darling, and Penny Black. Check them all to see which one(s) have a gig on any night!
You can also check out my guide on Fitzroy Bars or the best things to do in Fitzroy – even better to enjoy with your love.
Go Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is an awesome activity for couples – then you can take a bottle (or a few) home with you to continue the fun! You can do a wine/food tasting tour right in the city with a Melbourne Food and Wine Walking Tour (tasting wine and food with restaurant wine waiters), or you can go exploring to a wine region.
There are actually multiple wine regions around Melbourne, including the Pyrenees (which aren’t too far from Ballarat), the Mornington Peninsula, and perhaps the most popular – the Yarra Valley.
Whenever my friends visit me, I take them on the tour below to visit the Yarra Valley. It’s the perfect tour experience, visiting 3-4 wineries, a dairy (yum, cheese), and a chocolaterie in one day. Bon appetite!
Melbourne Planetarium
For a more relaxed Melbourne date night idea, take your S.O. out-of-this-world… literally. The Melbourne Planetarium is part of the Scienceworks Museum in Spotswood.
It has a 16 meter dome where they project a fascinating display about the night sky, constellations, cosmic mysteries, and more, followed by a presentation of the current night sky and what is currently visible. They often have great specials and even events – at one point they did a show to the Pink Floyd Album ‘Dark side of the Moon!’
NGV Friday Nights
What’s way cooler than going to the museum?! Mixing going to the museum with food, drink, and live music of course!
The National Gallery of Victoria runs winter and summer sessions of their ‘NGV Friday Nights’ series, where your ticket comes with exclusive after hours entrance to the current paid exhibit. But that’s not all – there are renowned artists and food/drink specials right in the museum hall.
At NGV Friday nights you can salute Queen Victoria and drink glasses of wine while looking at whatever amazing art display is on show at the moment. They usually have specials and a lineup of great artists.
Take a Day Trip or a Weekend Getaway
The last of my favorite fun things to do in Melbourne for couples is to have a little getaway! Whether you have a single day, an afternoon, or a whole weekend, there are SO many places around here to have a road trip. Luckily, I have another post on exactly that! Click here for the best day trips from Melbourne.
If you want more than a day trip, check out these Melbourne Weekend Getaways (I included luxe couples accommodation options that are PERFECT for a special treat)! Phillip Island, the Yarra Valley, and the Mornington Peninsula are perfect for a romantic weekend with your love.
Lastly, check out my Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary for a perfect couples’ coastal weekend.
Go on Some Rides at Luna Park in St Kilda
Luna Park in St Kilda may be one of the oldest theme parks in Australia, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. This famous Melbourne attraction is popular with tourists, but many locals haven’t even been there… crazy, right?!
Have a classic Melbourne day and take your love to Luna Park. Ride on the old wooden rollercoaster with ocean views, ride some other fun rides, and win them a stuffed animal in a game or two. You can head to the beach after a few hours if it’s hot!
Queen Victoria Market or Night Market
It might be one of Melbourne’s most touristy things to do, but it’s always a good time to visit Queen Victoria Market. Make a game of it and split ways with your date, set a meeting point, and agree to return in 20 minutes with a small present that the other person will like. It’s a sure way to make them smile and have some fun!
If you are looking for a date idea on a Wednesday, visit the night market for some AMAZING food. Make sure to come with empty bellies, because there’s enough artisanal food at the night market for a hundred meals!
Go Penguin Hunting
If you don’t have time to visit Phillip Island for the fairy penguin parade, head to St Kilda at sunset to see if you can spot any tiny penguins. Each evening penguins emerge from the water to sleep in the rocks for the night, so bundle up with your date (maybe even share a blanket if it’s cold 😉 and spot some wildlife right in the city.
Take a Spooky Melbourne Ghost Tour
Did you know that apparently, Melbourne is home to a lot of haunted places?! This Ghost Tour will show you a few spooky places in the city and tell you all about what went down there. There’s no better way to bond with a date than being frightened together, right? Explore some spooky streets and places and if you are lucky you might even see a ghost.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.