Brisbane date ideas for less
Shake up date night for less with a little help from Brisbane! Treat your special someone to a day or night out with our guide to free and cheap ways to plan an unforgettable date – with spontaneous day trips, sunset picnics, market mornings and even glow worm encounters. These date ideas are guaranteed to fill your hearts and prove a little creativity goes a long way.
North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah
01. Set sail for Straddie
Swap Brisbane streets for island life and spend a day exploring North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah. Hop aboard the passenger ferry and jump on a bus to make your way to Point Lookout, where the spectacular North Gorge Walk delivers ocean views, resident dolphins and the chance to spot turtles or migrating whales.
Refuel with coffee and breakfast at The Blue Room Cafe, grab lunch overlooking the water at Fishes at the Point, or stretch out on the sand at Cylinder Beach. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide to things to do on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah and start planning your day trip.
02. Glow together
At Tamborine Mountain, you can pack a lot into one date – you can even extend it to a weekend. Waterfalls, rainforest, lookouts, glow worms and oh-so-good pastries – which are all competing for your affection. Join the queue at Franquette Bakery for flaky croissants and pastries, stretch your legs on one of the mountain's many rainforest trails or take the short walk to Curtis Falls. Finish your glowing day at the Glow Worm Tours, where thousands of tiny lights glow overhead, turning an already memorable day out into something a little more magical.
03. Meet me at the camels
Who knew one of Brisbane's most memorable date ideas involved camels? At Summer Land Camels, entry is free, giving you plenty of time to wave to the friendly camels, learn about Australia's largest wild camel dairy operation and take far too many photos together. The farm's cafe also serves camel milk gelato, cakes and coffee, making it easy to turn your visit into a sweet treat.
04. Picture perfect
Pick a camera roll theme or simply spend the day exploring Brisbane through a different lens. From the Story Bridge views at Wilson Outlook, where you can snap a few photos before settling in to watch the sunset over the city, to the bougainvillea arbour at South Bank, the City Botanic Gardens and colourful Brisbane laneways, there's no shortage of photogenic backdrops waiting to be discovered with your special someone.
05. Love at first bite
Who says you need a restaurant booking for a date? Why not create a three-course feast entirely from Brisbane market stalls. Start with pastries and coffee, hunt down something savoury for the mains, then finish with a sweet treat. Along the way, browse artisan stalls and see if you can find a small keepsake for each other! The Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Brisbane Powerhouse make a great starting point for your DIY feast. In the Southern suburbs, you can eat your way through West End Markets, while in the Northern neighbourhoods the Milton Markets mix food, handmade goodies and live entertainment into one easy morning date.
06. Cheers and cheese
For a classic date idea, pick up a ready-made grazing box from Grape & Grazing and head to New Farm Park. Find a shady spot beneath the park's famous fig trees, unpack your spread and let the afternoon take care of itself. If you're visiting in October or November, the jacarandas add an extra splash of colour and while you watch the afternoon light dance across the Brisbane River.
07. Explore Brisbane's best vistas
Walk (or drive) up to Mount Coot-Tha or Mount Gravatt to enjoy a magical sunrise or sunset from the lookouts at each summit. Both have cafes at the top so you can linger over a latte either at Mount Coot-Tha's The Summit Cafe or Lovewell Cafe at Mount Gravatt, while admiring some of Brisbane’s best vistas.
08. Stroll the Brisbane River
Follow the Brisbane Riverwalk from New Farm and see where the day takes you. Grab a coffee or bite to eat from Mary Mae's, then continue towards Howard Smith Wharves before crossing the Kangaroo Point Bridge and making your way up to Joey's for one of Brisbane’s best skyline views. For a different perspective on the city, follow the river towards The Regatta in Toowong instead and discover a different side of Brisbane. Make it a coffee hop or a bar hop - it's up to you!
09. A brush of romance at QAGOMA
Spend the day wandering through world-class exhibitions and discovering new artists. Much of Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is free to visit, making it easy to lose a few hours wandering between galleries before stopping for lunch at the Queensland Art Gallery Cafe or GOMA Restaurant.
10. Romantic wander
With winding pathways, towering fig trees and river views around every turn, the City Botanic Gardens were made for dates. Pick up a coffee or bite to eat from The Gardens Club, then follow the garden paths wherever they take you. You might end up beside the ornamental ponds or stretched out on a picnic rug by the river.
11. Cheap eats, big flavour
From pancakes before sunrise to dinner after dark, Brisbane City has affordable dates covered. Start the day with a towering stack of pancakes at Pancake Manor, settle in for lunch at Fat Noodle with a steaming bowl of pho, or make a dinner date of it at Hellcat Maggie for wings, burgers and good times. Looking for more ideas? We’ve got a whole menu of City cheap eats for you to try.
12. Movie night
Lights, camera, action! You can't go wrong with a movie date night. With affordable tickets at Cineplex cinemas throughout Brisbane, it's easy to settle in with a bucket of popcorn, get cosy and escape into a movie for a couple of hours. Catch the latest blockbuster at Balmoral, Hawthorne, South Bank, or other locations and enjoy a classic date-night.
13. A wheel-y good date
Take your South Bank date to new heights aboard the Wheel of Brisbane. Located in the heart of Brisbane's cultural and entertainment precinct, this Brisbane icon offers 360-degree views across the river, city skyline and beyond. Pair your ride with a wander through South Bank's parklands and a bite to eat nearby and you've got yourself a date that ticks all the boxes.
14. Fish, chips and sunsets
What's more romantic than fish and chips by the water? Grab a takeaway feast from Corner House Fish & Chips and settle in along the Manly foreshore. Over on Brisbane's northside, Doug's Seafood Cafe in Sandgate serves up equally delicious waterfront fare, while Seafood Lovers Cafe in Redcliffe pairs fresh seafood with Moreton Bay views.
15. Bring your own bottle
Take your tastebuds travelling with a date night at one of Brisbane's BYO restaurants, whether that's rich curries and Himalayan specialties at Himalayan Cafe in New Farm, a spread of Turkish favourites at Caravanserai in West End, traditional Greek dishes at Lefkas Taverna, or comforting Italian classics at Giardinetto in Fortitude Valley.
16. Bring your own feast
Can't decide what to eat? That's the beauty of a BYO food bar. Grab takeaway from your favourite local spot or organise your own snack plate and let the bartenders take care of your beverages. From The End and Cobbler Bar in West End to The Scratch Bar, Junk Bar, Mr Henderson and Cardigan Bar, Brisbane has plenty of spots where your ideal date night starts with choosing the food yourselves.
17. A rolling good time
Roll up, kick off your shoes and see who can get closest to the jack while enjoying a relaxed afternoon on the green at Brisbane’s many barefoot bowls locations. New Farm Bowls Club, Merthyr Bowls Club and West End Bowls Club all offer a fun and affordable way to spend an afternoon together.
18. Date, drink, repeat
Food from all over the world, in one handy location. For just $6 entry, Eat Street Northshore opens the gates to a world of flavours, live music and enough food stalls for even the picky eaters! Order a few dishes to share as the lights twinkle overhead - you'll no doubt need to schedule a second date to sample all the stalls you missed.
19. Koalas and temples at Daisy Hill
Get up close with adorable koalas for free at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, then head around the corner to Chung Tian Temple for a walk through the gardens, temple, art gallery and tearoom. Still in the mood for animal encounters? Try one of Brisbane’s many wildlife parks, zoos and farms where you can even picnic with alpacas!
20. Keep it cool
When Brisbane turns up the heart, it’s time to take the date poolside. Cool off at Enoggera Reservoir, Streets Beach at South Bank or one of Brisbane City Council's many inner-city and suburban pools. Bring along your own waterside picnic or grab an ice cream from a nearby gelato stop, then find a shady spot, get ready to relax the day away.
21. Chasing waterfalls
If you are both adventurers at heart, head beyond city limits and seek out some of Brisbane’s most spectacular waterfalls. Wander to Browns Falls in Karana Downs, stretch your legs on the track to Purling Brook Falls in Springbrook National Park or make a day of it at Cedar Creek Falls on Tamborine Mountain. Check out our guide to Brisbane's beautiful waterfalls, lakes and waterholes.
22. Hit the hiking trails
An active date is always a good idea, especially when Brisbane has so many incredible trails within 30-minutes of The City. From short scenic walks to more challenging hikes, there's plenty of opportunity to get the heart rate up and earn that post-walk coffee. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to some of the best hikes near Brisbane and find a trail that suits your pace.
23. Camping under the stars
Swap date night for a weekend away and pitch a tent under the stars. Roll up the swag, pack the billy at one of Brisbane’s best camping spots for a weekend away to enjoy nature and each other’s company. As the sun disappears and the campfire starts crackling, indulge in toasted marshmallows and come daylight, spend your time exploring nearby hiking trails or heading down to the beach before doing it all again tomorrow!
24. Bullseye
Out of the box and for less, Oche turns a classic game of darts into a fun and interactive date night. With food, drinks and a variety of games all under one roof, you'll be on target for a night filled with laughs and memorable moments, this could quite possibly go down as your favourite date!
