What to wear? Where to go? There are so many stress factors in planning your first date, but don’t worry, we have you covered!
Come rain or shine, introvert, or extrovert, expensive or cost-effective – we have a date idea for you…. Something unique and thoughtful to turn on the romance.
Shake those first date nerves by following one of our EPIC date ideas!
OUR TOP PICKS FOR FIRST DATE IDEAS IN THE GOLD COAST
1) ICE CREAM ON THE BEACH
Simple and elegant! Just grab some Baskin and Robbins and walk down to Mermaid Beach, which is a 4-minute walk. Mermaid Beach is a long stretch of beach, which is beautiful and clean. As you and your date walk to the beach, you can get to know each other and then sit down and eat your ice cream in the sand.
Maybe this doesn’t seem overly romantic, but sometimes (depending on the person) less is more, and if you look at movies such as The Notebook you’ll see just how sweet ice cream with the right person can be!
Bonus – if you time it right, you can watch the sunset together.
Pro: it’s delicious and cost effective.
Con: your date could be lactose intolerant. Preferable in good weather.
This is the ideal date for foodies, taurus star signs, and anyone who wants a cute/casual first date.
2) WATER SPORTS AT TALLEBUDGERA CREEK
Whether you take a volleyball, frisbee, play marco polo, or rent a boat or surfboard – Tallebudgera is guaranteed to make your date’s jaw drop. With the clear, still water, it’s a great location to go for a swim without the disruption of waves. You could also prepare some food prior to your date and surprise them with a romantic picnic – there’s also BBQ facilities available.
This location is also good for taking photographs together.
Pro: cost effective and a jaw gapingly beautiful location.
Con: it must be good weather!
This is the ideal date for sea, water, and outdoorsy types.
3) TAKE A WALK WITH SUNFLOWER
Back in the olden days, taking a “walk through the garden” was all the rage of courtship, but location is key! Travel back to the golden era of courting and surprise your date by telling them you’re taking them somewhere and take them for a walk (or even a makeshift picnic) near the sunflowers. It’s beautiful, romantic, and memorable.
This date idea has multiple locations: Toowoomba, Nobby, Warwick and Allora (just web search the location and sunflowers and it’ll direct you).
This location is also good for taking photographs together.
Pro: petrol aside, it’s essentially free and very thoughtful/different. Also, you can pick a flower and give it to your date, or even press it and keep it and give it to them later (a nice token from a first date memory).
Con: needs to be good weather – not good for anyone who suffers from allergies.
This date idea is best for outdoorsy folk, photography lovers, and flower lovers.
4) VISIT INFINITY
Want to go on a date but the weather isn’t agreeing with you? No worries! We have you covered! At Infinity you feel as though you’ve been teleported into another world. Check out the beautiful displays, interact and have lots to talk about with your date.
Perfect for a sensory stimulating first date!
This location is also good for taking photographs together.
Pro: it’s not too expensive and good for any weather!
Con: can get very busy/loud on weekends.
This date idea is best for people who aren’t photosensitive or have vision problems.
5) VISIT MOVIE WORLD
So many romantic movies incorporate theme parks because it’s the perfect place to create memories and spark up some romance. You can go on rides together, get your photo taken together, and check out the shows. There’s always lots to do at Movie World!
Alternate theme parks: Dreamworld and Wet’n’Wild.
Pro: it’s guaranteed to be a fun day out!
Con: can be busy, better in good weather & costly (depending on if you pre-pack food and drinks to take or not).
This date is ideal for movie, tourists buffs and theme park lovers.
6) DINNER AND SHOW AT DRACULA’S CABARET
Fun and entertaining – Dracula’s Cabaret is guaranteed for a good time! The shows are themed, funny, and interesting to watch. Also, the food is delicious and – over all (meaning both the show and dinner) – this location has really good reviews.
Bonus – it’s good for any weather, so you don’t have to stress if it’s raining on the day.
Pro: when you’re doing an activity such as this, it’s easy to make conversation.
Con: can be busy.
This date is ideal for horror lovers & quirky types.
7) VISIT CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
With food and shows available, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place to take your date – especially if you’re looking for a longer all-day kind of meeting. Be sure to visit the website prior to your visit, that way you can plan your day and make sure you don’t miss any of the incredible shows!
Pro: adorable animals to look at – making conversation easy!
Con: can be busy, lots of children (especially during the holidays or on weekends).
This date idea is best for animal lovers and tourists.
8) GRAB SOME FOOD AT MR PP’S
What’s better than dining high with your date? At Mr. PPs you can enjoy amazing food while eating on the rooftop restaurant. With tons of positive reviews, PPs won’t let you down. Delicious and mouthwatering, especially the pizza! Just be sure to book in advance as this location can book out quite often.
This location is also good for taking photographs together.
Bonus – it’s also good for all kinds of weather!
Pro: trendy location (not too pricey)
Con: can be busy, particularly on weekends.
This date is perfect for foodies, pizza lovers & taurus signs.
9) DINNER AND SHOW AT OUTBACK SPECTACULAR
With its spectacular reviews, this date location is bound to deliver – whether you go there to wine, dine, watch the shows, or even book a room package, this location is bound to sweep your date off their feet!
Bonus – the food is AMAZING and it’s good for all kinds of weather.
Pro: fun and entertaining.
Con: can be costly depending on the package you book.
This date is best for introverts & horse/animal lovers.
10) HIKE AND BBQ AT SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK
If you’re going to get to know your date, where better than on top of a mountain or near a waterfall? There are picnic tables available and a BBQ area where you can show off your cooking skills or make a famous sausage sizzle for your date. With lush rainforest, ancient old trees, and beautiful scenery – this location is guaranteed to steal your dates heart and create memories neither of you will ever forget.
You could even camp out if you wanted to extend the date.
Pro: beautiful rainforest with hiking trails and lookout points.
Con: it must be good weather! Can be exhausting…. Be sure to wear comfy/hiking appropriate footwear! And take lots of water.
This date idea is best for laid back, outdoorsy types, and nature lovers.
11) PICNIC AT POINT DANGER
Get a little dangerous with your date by taking them to this beach location.
Despite his name, the location is very serene and relaxing. Relax or sunbake on the sand, go for a swim, or watch the clouds (or sunset or stars if you go late enough). There is gorgeous look out points which oversee the ocean and beautiful scenery, picnic tables, and a barbecue area. But most importantly of all, this location just sounds cool. Picture this, you and your date decide to get together as a couple, you can say, “our first date was at Point Danger,” and it makes you both sound badass – especially if the person you’re saying it to doesn’t know it’s a chill place.
Interestingly, this location is a historical point.
This location is also good for taking photographs together.
Pro: beautiful and relaxing location.
Con: needs to be good weather.
This date idea is best for beach bodies, sea lovers, and nature/outdoorsy types.
12) VISIT SKYPOINT
With this date, the sky’s the limit!
Skypoint is 230 meters above sea level and allows you to check out a breathtaking view. If you’re feeling gutsy, they have a Skypoint climb available, or you can enjoy the highest bistro and bar the Gold Coast has to offer. Either way, your date will be feeling on top of the world!
Pro: the view is beautiful! It’s guaranteed romance!
Con: a better experience in clear/good weather.
This date idea is best for tourists and height lovers.
13) RELAX AT RAINBOW BAY
Go for a swim, have a picnic or laze on the beach. You could agree to meet early and watch the sunrise, or the sunset – either way, this location will soothe your soul and allow you a serene location to get to know your date one on one.
You could also have a night picnic at this location, where you set up a romantic spot and place out some lights (preferably nothing flammable) and a blanket, maybe with some rose petals sprinkled (if it’s not too windy) – or a bouquet placed in the middle.
Pro: It’s relaxing and beautiful.
Con: better in good weather.
This date is best for beach lovers and outdoorsy types.
14) GET A COUPLES MASSAGE AT RETREAT WELLNESS
With the pressures of everyday life, getting a massage can be a great first date idea to unwind. You could go for coffee or dinner afterward and share some wine, but psychologically your date will associate their time with you with ‘relaxation.’
Also, this is good for all kinds of weather, so you don’t need to worry about what the weather will be like when you’re scheduling/planning your date.
Bonus – not only do you get to go on a great date, but you get a massage during it.
Double bonus – good for all types of weather!
Pro: a massage is also good for your health.
Con: can be expensive.
This date is best for people working high pressure jobs.
15) GO ZIPLINING
Get your blood pumping by going ziplining with your date! At Treetop Challenge (canyon flier zipline) you go across Tamborine Mountain, where you can marvel at the gorgeous scenery before soaring through it (more than 70 meters above the canyon).
Bonus – it gives you something exciting to talk about afterward.
Pros: it’s memorable.
Cons: it is a little costly and needs to be good weather.
This date idea is best for adrenaline junkies, outdoorsy types and height lovers.
