Five Romantic Brisbane Date Ideas for This Week From Budget to Blowout

Tired of the classic movie and dinner date night combo? Us too. That's why we're always on the hunt for new things to do, scouring the city for not-boring Brisbane activities — ones that are guaranteed to take your next date way beyond done-before beers at the pub.

Whether you're taking someone on a second date or doing your 100th with your significant other, we've got some killer (and, yes, cute) ideas for dates to go on this week, no matter how much money you've got to spend.

Just think of us as your cultural wingman. You're welcome.

Free

Redland City Council via Flickr.

Take a Scenic Stroll Around the City

Putting one foot in front of the other and then seeing where they take you is one of life's simple pleasures. Whether you and your other half prefer to stroll along leisurely or charge forward at a brisk pace, there's always fun to be found in something as simple as a walk around Brisbane.

You don't even need to leave the city to enjoy a good ol' saunter. Brisbane has plenty of gorgeous walks to offer and, with the sun often shining and the weather frequently warm, it's always a good time to head out for a stroll. Want to wander along the river? Hike around the city's main mountain? Amble through bushland? Trek over a bridge? You can do all that and more if you head to one of our ten picks for the best walks (or runs) in and around Brisbane.

Here's an oldie but a goodie to get you started: when it comes to the southern side of the Brisbane river, finding somewhere to walk in the heart of the city is easy. Between Kangaroo Point, South Brisbane and West End, all you need to do is close your eyes and point to find a top-notch place to head.

Or, although you'll need to pay for the ferry ride over, Straddie always delivers. While you're winding your way along the 1.5-kilometre Point Lookout trail, keep an eye out for more than a breathtaking view of the ocean. The area is a prime site for spotting marine, bird and wildlife, including whales, dolphins and giant sea turtles. Make the trek during sunrise or sunset for the best views of all.

C Callistemon

Escape the Wet Weather in a Gallery

Spring showers, storms and wet weather are part of living in Brisbane — and a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to finally catch that exhibition you and your special someone have been meaning to see. Escape the elements and step into a haven of vibrant and colourful artworks that will surely take your mind off the wild weather.

Some of our go-to inner Brisbane galleries include Artisan, Milani Gallery, Jan Murphy Gallery and the Institute of Modern Art — and the South Bank double that is the Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Art Gallery, of course.

Spend all day browsing the talent and leave with some newfound inspiration to pick up a paintbrush. Or, if you're eager to marvel at a museum's wares, rather than a gallery's, check out the latest displays at the Queensland Museum.

Some of Brisbane's galleries can be visited for free, but others have an entry fee — so factor that into your budget.

Under $50

Shop and Sip Your Way Around a Christmas Market

The festive season is upon us, again, which means that Christmas shopping is about to become everyone's favourite pastime. Thankfully, trawling the mall isn't you and your favourite person's only option when it comes to finding a gift, either for your loved ones or yourself — or grabbing ingredients for a delicious meal.

Returning for another year from 4–10pm on Saturday, November 23, the Carseldine Markets is hosting a twilight event brimming with the spirit of the season. Get your list ready, because all the art, craft and fresh produce stalls you know and love will be on site, just waiting to help you out of a festive fix — there'll be more than 200 of them, in fact.

Prepare to tuck into festive treats, too (because you'll need to eat while you browse) and sips from the Stone and Wood pop-up bar, as well as ample entertainment. Yes, it's a Christmas wonderland, with the decorations and carols to prove it. Warning: if you're more of a Grinch than one of Santa's elves, you'd best prepare yourself for an overdose of holiday cheer.

Entry costs $3, and there's free parking onsite.

Under $200

Mike King

Add Some Magic to Your Night Out

Brisbane has a new temporary home of tricks, magic and illusions: South Bank's Maritime Museum. The riverside spot is welcoming three immersive pop-ups, each making their return to the Queensland capital, and all aiming to give attendees a multi-sensory reprieve from their routines — and one of them is Maho Magic Bar.

If you and your date not only like magic, but also cocktails, neon lights and feeling like you're in Tokyo, head to Maho Magic Bar until Sunday, December 8. As the River City discovered on its past visits, it's a bar, a performance space and a show all in one — all thanks to Broad Encounters, aka the folks behind eerie Edgar Allen Poe-inspired warehouse experience A Midnight Visit, too.

Here, glowing lighting sets the mood, cherry blossoms hover above, and sake cocktails and shōchū lead the drinks menu. Also, magic shows happen at your table. An immersive event from the moment that you approach its luminous exterior, it's designed to replicate a night out in Shinjuku, and to conjure up an 'anything can happen' feeling.

The ace thing about the setup: whether you adore magic or don't think it's your thing, you'll still be entertained given the atmosphere (and the drinks and those lights) are a massive part of the allure. Still, magic is nonetheless a big part of it. Busting out illusions: a lineup that includes the gender stereotype-busting Kaori Kitazawa, Japanese TV staple Shirayuri, actor and Maho Magic Bar's hostess Spica, sleight-of-hand mixologist Jun Nakamura, the engineering-driven Wambi and close-up magician Sarito.

One Big Blowout

Arden

Hit the Coast to See Troye Sivan, Glass Animals and G Flip

When Spilt Milk announced that it wasn't taking place in 2024, instead delaying its next festivals until 2025, it looked like fans of the event were in for a hefty wait till they could next hear live tunes echo from its stages. But if you and your significant other are on the Gold Coast — or can get there — that's no longer the case. Spilt Milk's regular fests remain postponed until next year; however, it's still returning this weekend for a new gig series.

Meet Spilt Milk House Party, aka the shindigs you throw when you're not throwing your regular shindig. If the tactic sounds familiar, that's because Yours and Owls is deploying it in 2024, too, calling it a pre-party instead. The idea is the same, though: get a bunch of acts to play at a smaller event, rather than the usual big festival rollout. For its version, Spilt Milk hasn't skimped on talent.

In addition to his already-announced Australian tour, Troye Sivan leads the Spilt Milk House Party lineup. For company, he'll have Glass Animals, G Flip, Artemas and Sycco.

The quintet have a date with the Broadwater Parklands on Saturday, November 23.

Top image: Peter Wallis.