The coastal capital of Victoria offers tons of activities for partners, friends, and families. Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary date night in Melbourne? Try one of these four unique experiences.
Escape to The Moonlight Cinema
A fresh take on the traditional date night at the movies - indulge in new releases and cult classics under the stars at the Moonlight Cinema. Located in the central lawn of the Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne, you are surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife. Tickets range from General Admission to Platinum Experience, granting access to premium seating and wait service straight to your seat. Whether you splurge or stick with the GA, guests are offered freebies from sponsors. During our visit, we took home premium pet treats from K9 Natural and skin care products from Garnier.
The Moonlight Cinema season is through the summer months, December - March.
Take a Pottery Class
I don't know about you, but creative activities are my favorite kind of date. With ceramic studios placed all over the city of Melbourne, you'll have no issue finding a spot suited to your needs. Studios like Diana Ceramics offer unique classes like Glow in The Dark Wheel Throwing and Mud and Merlot Hand Building, perfect for beginners to get a feel for clay art. Or if you're looking for a more traditional experience, Lygon Street Pottery is the perfect spot. Advanced ceramicists and first-timers are welcome in this open-plan studio. Sign up for a technique-focused workshop, introductory class, or an immersive course in wheel throwing or hand building. Go get your hands dirty!
Pictures are at Lygon Street Pottery.
Soak in The Hot Springs
Just a short drive out of the city, you can find serene geothermal mineral springs. We were able to enjoy two of the day spas in the heart of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula: Peninsula Hot Springs and Alba Thermal Springs and Spas. Both offer a distinctive atmosphere, a variety of thermal pools, and sumptuous spa services.
Peninsula is the original spring spa of the area and well-known among locals. Nestled in nature, the pools are tucked away behind trees. Throughout the grounds, there are relaxation and wellness spaces like a sound dome, sun lounge, and tea house. If you find yourself too tranquil to drive home, you can book private glamping accommodation.
Alba, the contemporary day spa located across the street from Peninsula, opened in late 2023. In contrast to the naturalistic style of its neighbor, Alba is modern with a dramatic open-air landscape and oozes luxury. Immerse yourself in multi-sensory spa treatments, artisan massages, and even some fine dining if you find yourself hungry.
Both properties are worth visiting. However, if you are looking for a more romantic experience, at the basic level of pricing, I recommend Alba. For the majority of our visit, we had pools to ourselves. Whereas at Peninsula we were sharing the pools with 6+ people, some being children. The family-friendly environment of Peninsula may dissatisfy some. The cherry on top? A locker, towel, and robe rental are included with Alba's general admission, and at Peninsula they are additional expenses.
Need to take public transport? You can take the train to Frankston station and then the bus (Route 788) to the Rye Hotel. From there you can take a taxi or car-share service to your spa destination.
Dine and Roam Around Little Bourke Street
Located in Melbourne's central business district, exploring Little Bourke Street is a lovely way to spend time. Walking the one-way street you're pulled down intersecting avenues. The area is bustling, full of music, laughter, and delicious aroma sure to get your belly rumbling. If you have time (and a small party) I recommend freely roaming the area, perusing menus, and finding a seat on the fly. Our group had some dietary restrictions and a tight timeline so we reserved a table at Funghi e tartufo, a plant-based Italian restaurant. I highly recommend the polpette al sugo and pappardelle funghi e tartufo.
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