Love in this economy is tough. It seems every special activity, as simple as having a drink and dinner, is enough to bust the budget. If you’re sick of trying to make ends meet and just want space to relax with your significant other for less $ – we’ve got you covered.
Stock up on memories and quality time together with our guide to Cheap and Relaxing Mid-week Date Ideas in Sydney.
Outdoor Movie Night – Westpac Cinema
A stunning harbourside outdoor cinema is the perfect place to connect with your significant other, or to take someone new on a date. Situated at Mrs Macquaries Point over summer, Westpac OpenAir Cinema displays panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hide away together in the dark of the night while escaping reality as the flicks, played on a gigantic screen, spark conversation.
Whale Spotting at Cape Solander
Catch sight of whales as close as 200m off-shore at Cape Solander. The perfect spot to chat with your person while looking out for breaching, tail slapping and simple gliding through waves. June and July are the best times to see humpback whales as they migrate north to warmer waters, but they can also be seen from May to October. Cape Solander is a great spot to set up a picnic and look out to the open ocean, with a lookout and viewing platform offering a good vantage point.
Op-shop til’ You Drop
Vintage vibes and budget bliss – op-shops are treasure troves of unique and affordable fashion and household items. And let’s be honest, they’re a bit of fun too! Make a list of your favourite Sydney second-hand stores and bring your partner along for a day of bargain hunting. There’s something deeply satisfying about searching through racks of clothing or shelves of knick-knacks. Especially when it’s far away from the chaos of regular commercial shopping centres!
Picnic at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Look out to Sydney Harbour Bridge and Lavender Bay while relaxing in the calm and quiet of Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. It’s a stunning spot to spend some time together, with a wonderful backstory, having been transformed from a wasteland into a green oasis. Take a walk through one of the many paths through the garden, and don’t forget to look up and take in the leafy tree canopy. Not a bad date by our standards!
Swim at North Sydney Olympic Pool
Swim under the sights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the North Sydney Olympic Pool. This is one of the city’s most iconic places, having been open since 1936 following the completion of the Harbour Bridge. With its art deco-style decorations and architecture, it’s a pretty romantic spot for time spent with your significant other, or time spent getting to know someone new. And if your date is a water sign, even better! (that’s Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio BTW).
Take an Art Class (or Make Your Own!)
Get creative and have fun with paint and alcohol. There are plenty of art classes around the city that you can pair with your favourite cold beverage. Places like Cork and Chroma are BYO and offer a relaxed place to express yourself and create a stunning piece of artwork (if you’re good at it, of course). Some art classes can be a bit pricier, but honestly there’s nothing stopping you from getting the supplies yourself and testing your painting abilities at home or at a park.
Visit Wistaria Gardens
If you think your date is pretty, or handsome, Wistaria Gardens will give them a run for their money. Take a stroll, have a picnic, or find one of the many workshops that take place here, among the captivating wistaria blooms and calming pathways. Located in Parramatta, this is a two-hectare oasis which has been heritage listed as one of Sydney’s most intact surviving Edwardian Gardens. See why it is so highly valued by the locals, especially in spring when its colourful floral display is at its absolute best.
Day Trip to Sydney’s Nudist Beaches
Get a little saucy at one of Sydney’s popular legal nude beaches. Maybe it’s a little out of your comfort zone, or perhaps it’s right up your alley. Either way, spending time at a nude beach with your loved one is free, fun, and definitely something new to do! Do your research and get familiar with the best beaches to get your kit off – we’re talking places like Obelisk, Cabblers, Lady Bay Beach, Little Congwong, Washaway, Werrong and more.
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