The Best Romantic Things to Do in and around Sydney

Home-grown Sydneysiders and savvy tourists often shy away from the classic tourist sites, especially when it comes to impressing that special someone. But the Aussies and globetrotters who head to Sydney’s world-famous hotspots in their millions can’t all be wrong. If you risk everything and join them, but add a romantic twist, you may just sweep your favourite person off their feet. Harbouring breathtakingly romantic, little-known spots as well as some of the most iconic landmarks on the planet, here are 13 of the best romantic things to do in Sydney.

Sometimes, when it comes to making a gesture and showing you care, less is more. Pack a blanket, two glasses, a bottle of something special and some nibbles. Take your partner by the hand and head for Echo Point Park. Found on Middle Harbour in leafy Roseville, this is one of the most romantic spots in Sydney. Seek out a bench made for two or a patch of grass on the tiered gardens with a view of the marina. Given your proximity to the city centre, you’ll be amazed by the sense of seclusion. Simply toast the moment as the boats and time pass by.

If you’re living in or visiting Sydney, date ideas are around every corner. But there’s nothing like a dose of old-world charm to get the romantic juices flowing. The Rocks is a network of characterful laneways beneath the Harbour Bridge that transport you hundreds of years back in time. For maximum brownie points, pick a Friday and visit The Foodie Market. It fills the old lanes with stalls selling delicious, locally-made street food from 9am until 3pm. You can then take a laid-back approach to the next couple of hours and wander the narrow, cobbled alleyways, maybe stumbling across Sydney’s oldest pubs; The Lord Nelson and Fortune of War are as atmospheric as they sound! Then join the free walking tour of the Rocks, available every evening at 6pm. Nailed it.

Tourists, locals and romantics alike all need to escape the city sometimes. Walking, talking, taking in the scenery and generally escaping is an ideal way of spending time with your special someone. Federation Cliff Walk takes you from Watsons Bay to Dover Heights along 5km of clifftop paths, and if your riveting conversation or the steep steps don’t take his or her breath away, the views will! Paths are wide enough to walk holding hands most of the time and your views across the Tasman Sea stretch as far as the horizon.

If your relationship deserves major TLC – away from everything and everyone else – the Six Foot Track, graded as hard, through the Blue Mountains is a three-day venture into quality time. Assuming your legs are up to it, this epic 44km hike lets you camp out beneath the stars.

Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens have the best seat in the house, with picture-postcard views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Enter the gardens via the Queen Elizabeth II Gate, past Government House, and wander the manicured paths and lawns as far as The Rose Garden and pretty pavilion. You’ll find yourselves surrounded by 2,000 pink, white and red roses. It’s one of the most romantic wedding venues in Sydney, so definitely worthy of a trip out with your loved one (you don’t have to get married!). If you want to turn up the heat, step inside Latitude 23 Glasshouse and Fernery. It’s hot, steamy and a tropical paradise for cacti, orchids and lovebirds.

It depends how brave you’re feeling. If you want to stay clear of glamour, glitz and show, but still need a helping hand with talking points, Archie Rose in Rosebery may be the place. Its on-site gin, vodka and whisky distillery is the first to open in Sydney for 160 years. The decor is industry-cool, with gleaming copper, barrel-wood furniture and experimental science-lab features encouraging you to have a go at mixing your own cocktails.

If you’re feeling confident and looking for a last-drink-of-the-night kind of place, Eau de Vie on Darlinghurst Road is dark, sassy and daring. Open until 1am every night apart from Sundays (midnight), this jazz-infused venue excels at showcase cocktails and funky midweek combos such as whisky with oysters or cheese.

If you’re looking for romantic ideas for anniversaries – whether you’re celebrating being together for days, months or years – a Harbour Dinner Cruise catches the right waves. Choose to embark at either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour and get ready to sail into an ultimate date-night treat. There’s a three-course dinner accompanied by fine wines, live music and dancing out on deck. Glass in hand, you can both admire the stunning views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline as you sail past in style. Dress to impress.

If you want to see the sights before the sun goes down, book a Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise. Start practising your photography skills now; these sunset selfies will melt the hearts of all your followers on Instagram, as well as those in the photo.

The Tower Eye reaches 309 metres up into the sky, providing unrivalled views of Sydney below and as far as 80km into the distance. Even more sensational at night-time, the revolving 360˚ restaurant and sparkling views of the city lights, ambitious menu and delicious wines will leave taste buds and senses tingling.

If you’d rather keep your feet on terra firma, city centre Tetsuya’s on Kent Street is a superb fusion restaurant, serving inspired Japanese, French and Australian dishes. Its acclaimed degustation menu includes 10 mini-courses to wow your taste buds. In-house sommeliers are on hand to recommend complementary wines for each dish. Overlooking a Zen garden which is calming by day and floodlit by night, prepare to wow your date.

It's hard to find totally deserted beaches in Sydney, despite there being more than 100 of them. But you can avoid the crowds as they fight for space on Bondi Beach and Manly Cove, if you know where to look. Escape to the almost tourist-free Resolute Beach, at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. It’s about an hour’s drive north, and worth every minute.

Collins Flat Beach is ridiculously close to Manly Beach, but nestled between Little Manly Cove and North Head, hardly anyone knows it’s there. With views of the harbour and a waterfall for company, this is one of the most romantic things to do in Sydney – maybe it’s because you’re so close to everyone else, and yet so far away…

If you really want to show off, why not paddle or kayak out to Store Beach from Manly Wharf. This sandy secret can only be reached across the water.

No self-respecting list of things to do in Sydney, romantic or otherwise, can miss out the Opera House. But rather than just admire the ingenious architecture from afar, why not experience this iconic building from the inside and buy a ticket to the opera? Of all the romantic things to do in Sydney, this has got to be the ultimate I-love-you-evening. Share the magic of dance, song, music and theatre together, as world-class performers give their all in this epic venue. Feel the thrill of the pre-show atmosphere at a dramatic choice of bars and restaurants and arrive early for al fresco drinks at the waterside Opera Bar, international dishes at the Opera Kitchen or prize-winning cuisine at Bennelong.

If you’re looking to inject untethered excitement into your next date in Sydney, then maybe you need to leave the city behind. Or see it from above? Private balloon rides can be arranged.

Your check-in point for The Camden Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight is a 50-minute drive and requires an early start from Sydney. Whatever sleep you may lose is more than made up for in dreamy moments and mesmerising views as you float across the Macarthur region landscape at sunrise. Your hour-long flight can be followed by a Champagne breakfast and transfer packages are available.

If you’ve done this before (you old romantic!), you can go one further and experience the magic of the Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight. This two-hour drive from Sydney only heightens the sense of anticipation and your early-morning journey is rewarded with golden views of Hunter Valley vineyards and lakes 2,000 feet up in the air in a basket made for two.

Shake off the shackles of the city and allow you and your partner to be treated like rural royalty for the day. Your multi-talented chef will collect you from central hotels then stop off at Sydney Fish Market. Once your ingredients for breakfast have been expertly selected, it’ll be freshly cooked by said chef, en-route, overlooking Hawkesbury River. Your onward journey will take you through restful countryside and on to Hunter Valley, where you’ll visit three of Australia’s best wineries. Wine tastings and vineyard tours provide mid-course enlightenment, as your chef prepares lunch, with a complementary course for each wine. If you’re a lover of the finer things in your glass and on your plate, this 12-hour immersion in Australian gourmet food and wine will feel and taste like heaven on earth.

If you’re a Sydneysider and reckon you and your date have done it all before, you need to take it up a level. A Sydney Harbour Helicopter Flight Tour is just the thing to inject a bit of whirlwind into your romance. Book a package and your high-flying experience includes transfers from city-centre hotels to the heliport, a safety briefing and a thrilling 20-minute helicopter tour of Sydney Harbour. Don’t forget to take photos for airborne shots of your favourite city as you’ve never seen it before, not to mention envy-inducing selfies. Once you’re back at the heliport, enjoy complimentary snacks and watch the in-flight video recording of your trip, before being returned to Sydney. Wow!

For the last of our unique date ideas, what about a cruise along the scenic coastline of Jervis Bay? Take the pressure out of your big day out and book a Jervis South Coast Cruise. Your departure point is Huskisson Harbour, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. As your cruise leaves at 8am, we suggest you make a romantic weekend or mini-break of it and stay the night before – they’re worth it, surely? The sparkling turquoise waters off Jervis Bay are teeming with incredible marine sights during this three-hour voyage of discovery. Your expert guide will share fascinating facts as you sail past what is claimed to be the whitest sand in the world and ancient sea caves. You’ll observe the adorable antics of a seal colony and if your luck’s in, dolphins will swim alongside the boat. Winter months can also bring humpback whales within viewing distance.

Sydney possesses limitless romantic opportunities for first dates all the way through to golden anniversaries. Young, old, local or far-flung, there’s something on this list for you, and we hope that our 13 recommendations feed your imagination and nurture your romance. From excursions out in the vineyards of New South Wales, harbour helicopter rides, coast cruises and gourmet tours to unique twists on the usual tourist spots; don’t be shy. Embrace your inner Casanova and surprise them.

If it's your first time in Sydney, check out our guide on the top things to do in the city.