We go through the best date ideas in Melbourne, from drive-ins to ice slides.
Coburg Drive-In
It wasn’t the scene for romantics for Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in the 1978 classic Grease but the drive-in has always been perceived as one of love’s most sensual arenas. The Coburg Drive-In houses the widest screen in the southern hemisphere so bring along your station wagon, a basket of strawberries, crackers and cheese, open the boot and let your emotions unfurl. Finding Dory, Ice Age: Collision Course, The Conjuring 2 and Warcraft: The Beginning are among the flicks now showing. Don’t forget the jaffas.
155 Newlands Road, Coburg North
A Giant Ice Slide
We don’t have frozen lakes or snow in Melbourne but year after year the city tries desperately hard to mirror the northern hemisphere winter. O’Brien Group Arena has provided a chance to put on the skates like Torvill and Dean while the Wonderland Spiegeltent is the place to embrace a commonly idealised snowy utopia. Nonetheless, the Eureka Skydeck is the romantic hub this winter. Get all giddy trying to propel your partner aloft as you slide down 40 metres of slippery slope and then enjoy a free iced tea and some tucker with a selection of food trucks pan frying. How cute. Operating from June 25 until July 17.
Southbank, CBD
Escape Room Melbourne
Once the door closes you’ve got 70 minutes to get out or your toast. The mystery behind a derelict room abandoned for more than half a century is your investigation in Flemington’s original Escape Room while South Melbourne’s Kellar’s Magic Emporium sees you fulfill the role as a newly appointed magician’s assistant – better prove your worth or await condemnation. It’s not a game of seven minutes in heaven, so no extracurricular activities please, but if you get out in time you may have unearthed one more appealing attribute in your attractive accomplice.
9 Lee Street, Flemington and 12-18 Yarra Street, South Melbourne
Wild Nights at Werribee Zoo
Be there to comfort your acquaintance through a mesmeric and sometimes frightening evening at the Werribee Zoo. The hippopotamus won’t bite but it might get close so be sure to keep your arms around. Whisper or have a kiss when the nocturnal Eastern Barred Bandicoot comes out to play and then as things wind down, spike a few marshies and sing a few John Williamson classics by the fire. There’s also exhilarating fire shows for those couples looking to accelerate the heart rate. Operating from June 25 until July 9.
K Road, Werribee
Como House and Garden
Built in 1847, Como House & Garden was home to one of Melbourne’s most industrious but indeed frolicsome families. For 95 years, Como was the residence of the Armytages, an affluent farming family known for their social buoyancy. Now it serves as one of Melbourne’s premier picnic spots and function centres. Bring a potato salad, some prawns and a bottle of Moet and admire each other among the estate’s billowing natural artistry ripened for over 150 years. Alternatively, adjoining café, the Stables of Como, can take care of the hamper for you if your romantic energies didn’t transpire in the kitchen.
Williams Road & Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra
Cat Café
Everyone loves cats. What better way to gratify your date by taking them to Melbourne’s kitten heaven? the Cat Café. It’s newly relocated and houses 14 cats you can pat and cuddle if your partner’s affection hasn’t sufficed. There’s coffee and some sweet treats on the menu and all the cats, from Chirp to Nod and Shakespeare are from rescue shelters. Buy your counterpart something purrfect from the range of gifts on offer and you’ve got yourself a second date.
30 Guildford Lane, CBD
Fairfield Park Boathouse
Like a scene from The Notebook, Fairfield Park Boathouse has been driven by romantic inclinations ever since its establishment in 1908. Paddle along the Yarra River and throw bread to the ducklings like Rachel McAdams once did or simply enjoy a picnic on land as the rosellas sing the afternoon away. A simple but sophisticated menu awaits you inside the boathouse if you’d like to sit face to face while scones and jam with Devonshire tea is available in the teahouse for the most traditional couples.
Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield
The Break Room
Whether you had a tough argument, are in need of some frivolity or want to test your brawn, a playful game of bash, crash and smash might just be the eccentric experimentation your relationship needs. Inside the Break Room, you’re given a baseball bat, a stool, a selection of crockery or bottles and an empty brick room… that’s it. People have smashed drum kits, shattered flying saucers or just thrown plates – I’ll leave it your imagination. Nothing’s more impressive than a display of artless technicality or blatant incoordination.
29 Budd Street, Collingwood
Sherbrooke Falls Trail
While the physically inclined tackle the 1,000 Steps Kokoda Walk you have the opportunity to enjoy one of Melbourne’s most pictorial walking trails towards Sherbrooke Falls. Chat about the birds, the trees or about each other as you meander through some of the city’s finest sassafras and mountain ash, some of which date back almost 200 years old. The O’Donohue Picnic Ground is sitting, waiting, listening for when those trekking munchies come around. In this case, you’ll have to prepare your own hamper.
Sherbrooke Lodge Road, Sherbrooke
Image: Don Whitaker
