Out to impress? In the dog house? Losing your eyesight from straining to read the menu at too many candle lit dinners? It’s time to give the ol’ ‘Netflix and chill’ a rest for a while and treat your significant other to something a little more exciting.
Take the pressure off the occasion, avoid any awkward silences, and have some fun. Whether you’ve just swiped right and got a match or have an anniversary coming up, these five
date ideas are sure to impress bae.
Rock climbing at Hardrock Climbing Company
501 Swanston St, Melbourne
If you’re anything like me, every time you tram past the Hardrock Climbing Company’s indoor rock climbing wall on the edge of the CBD you think to yourself, ‘I’m going to do that one day’….but never have. Well, there is no time like the present to channel your inner Spiderman.
Not only is rock climbing a full-body workout, but it is so fun. It’s a two person activity; when one person climbs the wall the other person holds the rope (called belaying, if you want to impress your date with some rock climbing lingo). Even if you have a fear of heights, the instructors make you feel safe, and there’s beginner walls to start on until you are comfortable to tackle the more challenging ones.
$30 will get you entry, harness and shoe hire AND you can stay as long as you like. If you’re new to rock climbing it will probably take a few hours before your arms turn to jelly, so allow three hours for your date.
A date at the Hardrock Climbing Company is an inexpensive, hands on, trust building rendezvous idea and hey, if your date isn’t going well, you can just climb to top of the wall and stay there.
Rowing at Studley Park Boathouse Kew
1 Boathouse Rd, Kew
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream… Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream…
There’s something romantic are rowboats. Impress your date by hiring a rowboat from The Studley Park Boathouse, one of Melbourne’s oldest and most iconic establishments. Only 10 minutes from the city, you’ll feel as if you are far, far away from the hustle and bustle as you drift down the Yarra River, with beautiful bushland on either side. Oh, so tranquil.
For two people, one hour of boat hire will cost you $36, and $22 for an extra hour after if you’re having too much fun. If you’re aren’t into lazily floating down the Yarra, there’s also kayaks and canoes available to hire.
And if it starts raining, you can just re-enact the scene from the Notebook, minus the 700 ducks. If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.
Camp under the stars at St Jerome’s: The Hotel
271 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Glamping, with a difference. St Jermone’s Hotel is Melbourne’s boutique camping experience taking luxury camping to new heights, literally. Located on the rooftop of Melbourne Central, the site is home to 21 spacious canvas tents, decked out with everything you’d expect to find at a 5 star hotel.
The tents are tall enough to stand up in, with fluffy blankets, heating, a filled esky, robes, beauty products, even mood lighting to woo your date. Wake up to 360 degree views of the city, with a complimentary breakfast delivered to your tent, including barista made coffee.
A staycation at St Jerome’s will cost you upwards from $390 for the night. It’s not cheap, but you pay for what you get; luxury. The perfect anniversary get away, without actually going anywhere. Camping will never be the same.
Mini-golf at Holey Moley Golf Club
590 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Tap, tap, tap it in at Melbourne’s newest themed bar, Holey Moley Golf Club. Little Bourke’s brand new bar and mini-golf course means you can challenge your date to a game of putt-putt while sipping on themed cocktails.
Regardless of your skill level, Holey Moley is a fun date destination. A round of nine holes costs you $16.50 per person and takes about 40 minutes to complete. There’s also table-tennis and arcade games to continue on the fun afterwards. A fully licensed bar and drink cart means you can drink while you play, but remember, drink and putt responsibly.
There is no alligators, so no chance of one biting your hand off. Set the par high for future dates and remember, it’s all in the hips.
Trampolining at Bounce
Various locations
As an adult, it’s easy to forget how enjoyable the simple things are in life. Bouncing on a trampoline is one of those things. If you spent hours and hours jumping on the backyard trampoline after school as a child then you are sure to enjoy Bounce Inc, Melbourne’s favourite indoor trampoline centre.
Bounce appeals to everyone. A date at Bounce guarantees a couple of laughs, even if it’s at your expensive as your failed swan dive into the foam pit turns into a bellyflop. Trampolining is a fun activity that you really can’t mess up, so there’s no pressure or expectations.
There’s 3 locations across Melbourne, and a one hour session will only cost you $16, plus $2 for Bounce Inc. socks. You’ll be bouncing off the walls in no time.
By Madeline Wallman
