15 Romantic Things to do in Sydney for Couples

You’re in luck if you’re looking for the best couples activities in Sydney.

While most people immediately think of Paris in any discussion on the world’s most romantic cities, it’s impossible to question Sydney’s uncanny ability to inspire feelings of love, affection and joy. That’s why there are plenty of romantic things to do in Sydney for couples.

So while the City of Love might have its unique charms, Sydney is a romantic destination in its own right. In fact, it’s one of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations for couples. Just last year, the UK’s Bucket List Company, which analyses social media data to find travel trends, named Sydney as the third most popular place in the world for proposals.

What makes Sydney a romantic city, you ask? Everything, really.

The comfortable weather, eye-catching architecture, varied cultural scene and trove of iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is easily one of the world’s most beautiful locations. It’s the way the light hits the water just before sunset. How the Manly ferry brushes your eye with the breadth of Sydney Harbour. How perfectly satisfied you both feel after a meal at one of Sydney’s world-class restaurants. The sounds of the waves crashing over the sand at any one of Sydney’s best beaches. And the strong sense of community that pulls you into the present and reminds you that life is one big, beautiful adventure.

Romantic cities are considered such for their aesthetic appeal. Their ability to ground you and your partner in the moment with cinematic visuals. Sydney is unique in the sense that it has the romantic air of a small city surrounded by beautiful nature, while also offering the big city charms that consistently pull couples towards chaotic sprawls like New York, Chicago, London and Tokyo.


The best couples activities in Sydney


Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is often ranked as the most romantic spot in Sydney (photo: City of Sydney).

1. Have a picnic at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

One of Sydney’s best-kept secrets is Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden which is, unsurprisingly, the most popular place in Sydney for proposals.

The small, romantic garden is the life’s work of Wendy Whiteley, sitting at the front of her home, its beauty is the result of Wendy finding ways to cope with her grief after her husband, artist Brett Whiteley, passed. Her gift to the world is this well-kept garden overlooking Lavender Bay, open to the public year-round despite being privately owned. Its many whimsical features and stunning views give this garden a surrealistic feel unlike any other of the best gardens in Sydney.

The serenity is a big part of the romantic atmosphere so try and time your visit for those earlier hours. Those are the best times to visit Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden as it’s still relatively obscured from tourists and many locals don’t show up until the early afternoon.

Sydney Travel Guide Tip: The garden is only a seven-minute walk from Milsons Point Station and almost directly behind Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur. Pop by the bistro’s adjoining patisserie in the morning to stock up on croissants and other baked goods to build yourself a little picnic before making your way to the garden.

Address: Lavender St, Lavender Bay NSW 2060
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free

Walking around Sydney Harbour is one of the most romantic things to do in this great city.

2. Take a walk along Sydney Harbour

Is there any surprise that Sydney Harbour ranks as one of the most romantic features of the city? The snaking body of water wraps its tendrils around Sydney and constantly breathes life into the city’s reputation as the one of the world’s dreamiest locations. Encompassing the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, there are many great locations around the foreshore but some of the most romantic include:

  • Mrs Macquarie’ Point’s Chair, CBD
  • Hermitage Foreshore Walk, Vaucluse
  • Blues Point Reserve, McMahons Point
  • Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe
  • Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo
  • Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Trail, Mosman
  • Rushcutters Bay Park, Rushcutters Bay

Take some time to have a little stroll along any of these paths. If you’re from out of town, you’ll get to experience what makes Sydneysiders constantly fall in love with their city (and often each other). If you’re a local, it’s a great way to remind yourself that you live in such a show-stopping city, blanketing you in those warm, fuzzy feelings oft associated with love and gratitude.

Captain Cooks cruise on Australia Day
There’s no better way to see Sydney Harbour than on a day or evening cruise (photo supplied).

3. Set sail on a harbour cruise

Personally, whenever I’m feeling a bit sick of Sydney, I like to catch the Manly ferry. The ride only takes 20-30 minutes from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf, but quickly breezes by Sydney Harbour’s greatest hits with views that remind you of the city’s magic. Many locals I know feel the same way, with Sydney Harbour an antidote for even the most stubborn cynic.

And so visiting couples looking for things to do in Sydney would be well-served by taking a harbour cruise and soaking up the famous waterway. The only question is, what are the best harbour cruises in Sydney? There are quite a few companies to choose from, all offering different packages with the most popular choices being Captain Cook Cruises and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney.

I don’t want to give you choice anxiety so these are just two of the best Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruises for couples:

Premium Harbour Experience by Captain Cook Cruises

One of the most popular Captain Cook Cruise packages is this accessible premium harbour experience, which includes one full circuit of the harbour that lasts between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. You’ll also get an Australian cheese and charcuterie board to share between two and the choice of either smartphone or printed commentary to provide context to all the many sights.

Price: $59 – $69pp

All-Inclusive Dinner Cruise by Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney

If you’d rather have a dinner cruise around Sydney, take a look at one of the most popular Journey Beyond packages. The all-inclusive dinner cruise is a 2.5-hour circuit around Sydney Harbour with a three-course dinner using fresh New South Wales produce. Each guest gets a welcome glass of bubbles and an all-inclusive package of house beers, wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea. You’ll also have more premium beverages available for extra cost.

Price: $210

READ MORE: The best cruises to take on Sydney Harbour every Australia Day

Gillian Adams is one of the best spas in Sydney
Several day spas in Sydney offer couple’s treatments (photo supplied).

4. Get a couple’s treatment at Sydney’s best spas

Day spas are frequently popping up in Sydney and 2025 will see several new sauna complexes open up around the city. Sydney’s wellness offering is becoming world-class, so take note of all the couple’s treatments available if you want a more relaxed date idea that’ll actually feel like a holiday.

Three of the most popular couple’s packages at Sydney spas include the following.

The Suite Retreat at SpaQ (150 minutes)

Head along to the top floor of QT Sydney to find one of Sydney’s most cherished wellness spots, SpaQ. There are two choices for couples, with the most premium being The Suite Retreat. The soothing treatment is designed for couples seeking smooth, hydrated skin, relief from tension and a better mind-body connection. It includes a foot scrub and full-body massage with jojoba oil with a Uspa facial to finish.

Address: 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 8262 0088
Price: $870 per couple

Couple’s Relaxation Escape at Day Spa by Chuan (90 minutes)

The Langham Sydney is one of our most dependable five-star hotels, with a highly polished, clean-cut aesthetic that perfectly spills into the infectiously calm, tranquil Day Spa by Chuan. Although the spa is best recognised for its massive indoor pool, the treatment rooms are where the magic really happens. Dial into a 90-minute Couple’s Relaxation Escape which includes a massage, Champagne and macarons in a private couples room.

Address: 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 8248 5250
Price: $287 per couple

Couples Massage Experience at Gillian Adams (3 hours)

The Gillian Adams Salon & Spa is one of the best-kept secrets in Turramurra, fashioned as an Art Deco day spa lifted by Romanesque features and gourmet lunches. It’s been a source of great inspiration for Sydneysiders for over 30 years now and has welcomed many couples with its signature treatments. The most suited for groups of two is the Couples Massage Experience which features time in the beautiful aquamedic pool and steam rooms plus a relaxation massage and a special gourmet lunch.

Address: 1356 Pacific Hwy, Turramurra NSW 2074
Contact: (02) 9488 9944
Price: $660 per couple

READ MORE: The best day spas in Sydney

The dining room at Pilu at Freshwater
Nothing beats a boozy long lunch in Sydney on a perfect day (photo supplied).

5. Have a long lunch at some of Sydney’s best restaurants

If you don’t have the constraints of office hours weighing you down and you want to spend a day with your other half, there are few date ideas in Sydney as reliable as a big, indulgent, leisurely long lunch. You’ll want the harbour to play a part in the scene if you want the quintessential lazy long lunch. Or you want a dining experience that’s fun, engaging and has plenty of talking points.

Catalina, Rose Bay

For more than 30 years, Catalina has been considered the quintessential lunch spot in Sydney with its perfect position on the water’s edge of Rose Bay. The sparkling vista is clearly what pulls crowds in, including international stars and politicians, but the consistent quality of both food and drink is what keeps them coming back for more. Working your way across one of the kitchen’s pitch-perfect marron tails

Address: Lyne Park, New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Contact: (02) 9371 0555
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (12pm – 10pm)

Pilu at Freshwater

Seaside Italian restaurant Pilu at Freshwater has been around since 2004 now, its reputation for romance endearing for over two decades. It’s all in the setting. Overlooking Freshwater Beach, this historic cottage is a sea of Sardinian flavours and old-school techniques. There’s little surprise that Pilu is often booked out for weddings given its beautiful, intimate private dining room and terrace overlooking the crashing waves.

Address: Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096
Contact: (02) 9938 3331
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday (12pm – 10pm); Sunday (11:30am – 9pm)

Ormeggio by the Spit, Mosman

Ormeggio at the Spit has been the North Shore’s favourite Italian restaurant since it opened in last 2009. Much like Pilu at Freshwater, a lot of the praise rests out the restaurant’s blockbuster location by the sea, overlooking the water with a superbly relaxed atmosphere. Handmade pasta is generally the best way to go here, and it’s always safe to expect silky, sumptuous dishes that won’t leave you feeling bloated afterwards.

Address: D’Albora Marinas, Spit Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
Contact: (02) 9969 4088
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm)

Bathers’ Pavilion, Mosman

Mosman’s other prime date spot is Bathers’ Pavilion, also resting almost entirely on its winning combination of good food and great views. The intimate, cottage-like setting is part of the charm, building up a romantic ambience that’s best suited for those special anniversaries.

Address: 4 The Esplanade, Mosman NSW 2088
Contact: (02) 9969 5050
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (8am – 10pm)

L’Heritage, Chowder Bay

L’Heritage, a quaint French restaurant in an old army drill hall overlooking Chowder Bay, was always going to be an unexpected delight in Sydney. The subversiveness is part of the appeal, with L’Heritage easily considered one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. Try and grab a small table by the window for the best experience and make sure the meal ends with the quintessential chocolate fondant—one of the best desserts in Sydney.

Address: 7b Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
Contact: (02) 9968 1658
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm)

Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant

Romantic restaurants are considered such usually due to ambience, excellent food and even better wine. Yum cha is a hard left turn but Royal Palace Seafood Restaurant has a perfect take. The relatively calm, authentic atmosphere is fun and has plenty of talking points, so this is one of your best bets if you want a livelier date that ditches the white tablecloths and hushed service

Address: 393-399 Sussex St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 9211 8518
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (10am – 11pm); Friday – Sunday (9:30am – 11pm)

Manjit’s at the Wharf

Sydney’s favourite Indian restaurant has been around for decades, having engineered the cross-section of Australian tastes with Indian flavours. The family-owned business has been dominating ever since, peering over the water from King Street Wharf with a lively atmosphere and impeccable service. If intimate fine dining isn’t your thing, a date at Manjit’s always goes down well.

Address: 10/49 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 9279 3379
Opening Hours: Monday (530pm – 10pm); Tuesday – Sunday (12pm – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm)

READ MORE: The 20 most romantic restaurants in Sydney

Four people in kayaks toast to sunrise in Sydney Harbour.
Few things express the romance of Sydney than watching the sun rise over Sydney Harbour from a kayak (photo supplied).

6. See Sydney Harbour by Kayak

A cruise around Sydney Harbour is always going to win big for couples, but shrinking your vessels down to something more active and intimate is often a better way to go. Especially if you want to see one of the best sunrises of your life. Hit up Sydney by Kayak so you and your date can tackle Sydney Harbour bright and early. You’ll head out to an ideal sunrise spot with your kayak and your coffee, then it’s a matter of getting the best angle as you witness raw natural beauty at its best.

Price: From $175

The Royal Botanic Garden is one of Sydney’s most romantic spots (photo: City of Sydney)

7. Relax in the Royal Botanic Garden

A serene carpet of green, framed by themed gardens covered in beautiful, bold flowers is always going to build up a romantic scene. Sydney’s famous Royal Botanic Garden adds water and peace to that equation, making it one of the most remarkably tranquil gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Plan a picnic near the elegant Rose Garden for the most romantic atmosphere or just walk around along the water’s edge. The restful, contemplative ambience is great setting for more meaningful talks.

Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000

Lilypad Palm Beach is a great choice for a romantic weekend away from the city (photo supplied).

8. Spend a night at Lilypad Palm Beach

Since 2022, Lilypad Palm Beach has been floating out in the water as one of the most unique short-stay accommodations in Sydney. The all-inclusive floating villa has been popular for events and weddings since, with it’s onboard infrared sauna, wine cellar and bohemian interiors feeling completely cut off from the rest of the world.

If you want to plan the ultimate date in Sydney, take a seaplane out to the villa and spend a night or two immersed in the privacy. Accommodation doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a small price for the Scandi-style offering.

Price: From $1,990 per night

Paint & Sip classes are becoming a popular way to spend time together as a couple (photo supplied).

9. Learn a skill together

Learning something new together is a great way to bond for both blossoming and long-term couples. Sydney’s got plenty of opportunities for that, from cooking classes to upskilling workshops. The pasta-making masterclass and bottomless lunch at Paddington favourite I Macheroni or OzHarvest’s Cooking For A Cause classes are great options if you want to learn some new dishes together.

For something different, hit up Pinot & Picasso for their popular Paint & Sip classes, get active with a joint surfing lesson at Manly Surf School, or make your own cheeseboard with resin art. Not unique enough for you? Sydney’s got a varied spread of fascinating workshops, from beekeeping to jewellery-making.

The Hijinx Hotel redefines fun for couples (photo supplied).

10. Test your skills together

Learning a skill is one thing, but testing the ones you already have can be even more interesting for couples after active date ideas in Sydney. Fortunately, the alternative entertainment movement of the past few years has propped up all sorts of escape rooms, concept arcades, sports simulators and gaming complexes around town.

Maniax in Marrickville is your best bet if beer and axe-throwing sounds romantic to you. For something more conventional, the nostalgic Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Alexandria can throw enough arcade-style entertainment at you to last an entire day. There’s also Fortress in Chippendale with its innovative mix of bars, boardgames and interactive games, GolfSpace if you want to team up with a cutting-edge golfing simulator, and Hyperkarting, a futuristic go-kart circuit built into a car park in the Entertainment Quarter. For the ever-popular escape rooms, pay attention to Alexandria’s Hijinx Hotel with its fun themes and challenging spaces.

A bottle of whisky sitting on the Sydney Opera House steps
Head along to Archie Rose to taste the distillery’s unique Sydney Opera House whiskies (photo supplied).

12. Visit one of Sydney’s breweries or distilleries

Look to Sydney’s best breweries and distilleries when you’re after a more entertaining date idea. Discovering Sydney’s best craft drinks together means plenty of talking points to keep the romance flying throughout the night. But there are so many in Sydney that it’s often hard to land on just one.

We recommend putting together a crawl around the many brewery tasting rooms in Brookvale like Bucketty’s Brewing Co. and Dad & Dave’s Brewing. But you can also stick closer to the water by dropping into Felons Brewing Co. Manly on Manly Wharf. The Brisbane-born brewery has quickly emerged as one of Australia’s most dynamic sources of craft beer, so if you both love your brews, there are few things as perfect as grabbing a few paddles and sitting out by the wharf.

If the mood leans towards more spirits then make the trek to Rosebery for the great Archie Rose Distilling Co. The distillery, which just became the very first to make a pair of single malt whiskies for Sydney Opera House, is known for its range of incredible gins and whiskies on offer.

A room at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is one of Australia’s oldest five-star hotels, refreshed with a recent top-to-bottom refurbishment (photo supplied).

13. Book into one of Sydney’s luxury hotels

If your idea of a date stretches beyond just a few hours, then take it through to the morning at some of Sydney’s best luxury hotels. Not all are made equal. If you want a romantic hotel in Sydney then you’ll need to find one that offers a holistic lifestyle experience with excellent restaurants and maybe even a day spa, or at least a pool and a gym.

If you want a good hotel for a couple then consider the following.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

For classic couples who want to spin around that old-school glamour of Australia’s very first five-star hotel reborn. There are two excellent restaurants and two classy bars to keep you busy for a day or three, plus the suites are generously sized, comfortable and contemporary. The location also means you and your loved one have Sydney CBD’s greatest hits at your fingertips.

Address: 101 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Average Price: $345

QT Sydney

If your preferences lean towards a darker, sexier and more bohemian style, take a look at QT Sydney. The high-concept boutique hotel is a thematic extension of the State Theatre and old Gowings building, pulling on the arts, fashion and retail industries to cobble together a style unlike any other luxury hotel in Australia. It helps that Gowings Bar & Grill is one of the best hotel restaurants in the country, and the street-level, Parisian-indebted Parlour is equally indulgent.

Address: 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Average Price: $294

Langham Sydney

One of the smaller properties in the ultra-luxurious Langham staple is this stately hotel down near Barangaroo. The Langham Sydney only has 98 rooms and suites, making it a true boutique while also maintaining a tight, consistent design language that flavours plush simplicity over any grand statements of excess. The calm design is what makes the hotel such a romantic charmer, made even more essential with the soulful Day Spa by Chuan and that blockbuster indoor pool.

Address: 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point NSW 2000
Average Price: $555

Featherdale Wildlife Park is the biggest collection of Australian flora and fauna in the world (photo supplied).

14. Visit some of Sydney’s best zoos

Sydney has some of the best zoos in Australia, including the world’s most picturesque with Taronga Zoo sitting on a slope in the leafy suburb of Mosman, peeking over a fantastic, ultra-wide vista of Sydney Harbour with the CBD in the background. A date here will never go astray and always feels like an occasion. Catch the ferry out to Mosman, and spend a few hours visiting all the animals, including the new penguins and pygmy hippos.

On the other side of the scale, you’ve got Featherdale Wildlife Park. Located out in Western Sydney, the highly interactive park encompasses a whopping seven acres of Australian bushland and features over 260 species native to Australia. That makes it the largest home of Australian flora and fauna on the planet, so it’s a great little microcosm of the country and a unique way to better explore and understand our nation’s ecosystem. Learning something together is always the recipe for a great, memorable date.

A new work has been commissioned for the unique Tank space at Art Gallery of NSW
Angelica Mesiti ‘The Rites of When’ 2024 (video still), 7-channel digital video installation, colour, sound, approx 30 min, collection of the artist, commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the Tank, 2024 © Angelica Mesiti

15. Bond over world-class art

One of the smartest considerations when planning a date is how many talking points there will be. The more opportunity for meaningful, intelligent conversation means much more mental stimulation than your typical movie-and-a-meal operation. The most approachable solution is an art gallery. Simple, easy and effective.

The Art Gallery of NSW is always a reliable option with its varied spaces and cutting-edge galleries. Make sure you’re checking out both the permanent collection and the special exhibitions to get the full picture of why AGNSW is considered one of the most fascinating art galleries in the Southern Hemisphere.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: 1800 679 278
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday (10am – 5pm); Wednesday (10am – 10pm); Thursday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)


Tips & advice on romantic things to do in Sydney

Any good date night idea in Sydney is going to have all of the following ingredients:

  • Ambience: You want to choose an experience that comes with an indescribable feeling. You know, the one that just brushes over you as soon as enter a lavish dining room or art gallery and feel like you’ve well and truly escaped from any stress. A transportive atmosphere is going to do most of the heavy lifting on any date so choose somewhere that feels like somewhere. Whether this means the small details at QT Sydney that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Hollywood movie set, or the outdoor dining area at Ormeggio at the Spit that could easily be mistaken the Mediterranean.
  • Difference: Don’t opt for something you could do anywhere in the world. The best dates are the ones that also offer a strong connection to the city you’re in. You want a sense of place, so choose somewhere in Sydney that you wouldn’t be able to do in another city like Melbourne or Adelaide.
  • Talking Points: Whether this is the first date or the fifth, the conversation is most likely going to run stale. You’ll get to that dreaded moment faster if you picked somewhere with not much going on. As such, you want talking points. This means you want your setting to constantly give you think to discuss, keeping that conversation flowing. This could mean a consistently excellent restaurant where every dish brings something new and interesting, or a great art exhibition that features works that resonate with both you and your partner.

Is Sydney a good city for couples?

Sydney is a great city for couples. As above, the harbour city is considered one of the most romantic in the world thanks to its blend of big-city excitement and pristine, postcard-worthy nature. As we’ve shown you, there’s also a great variety of things to do in Sydney for couples at night and just as many things to do when the sun is up.


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