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.

Under $20

Enjoy a Leafy Picnic While Listening to Free Live Tunes

Brisbanites are gifted brag-worthy sunshine and clear skies almost all year around, which makes for perfect outdoor gig and picnic weather. So, as the site has since 2018, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is letting everyone make the most of Brissie's ace climate with a Gigs & Picnics series.

Taking place on the last Saturday of most months when it's not too hot or cold — running from 12–4pm on April 27, May 25, August 31, September 28 and October 26, in fact — the event will rustle up some of the city's best food trucks, put on some free tunes and invite folks, including you and your other half, to get cosy on their own blanket all afternoon.

Entering through the main gateway at the intersection of Alice and Albert Streets, attendees can expect everything from jazz and modern reggae to dub and gypsy, all in gorgeous greenery-filled surroundings.

You can also order a picnic basket in advance, which'll be there for you on the day. Or, if you're bringing your own feast, just remember that the gardens aren't BYO.

Under $50

Slurp Up $2 Oysters Over Champagne

There are two ways to approach Sundays. You and your favourite person can either take the half-to-go view, leisurely and blissfully enjoying the fact that you've still got a whole day of weekend left. Or, you can go with a half-over outlook, feverishly making the most of every second you have because work looms the next day. Either way, Shuckin' Sundays can add to your fun. Each week, it's Victory Lane's excuse to dish up $2 oysters from 11.30am–3pm.

At the Ascot spot on Racecourse Road, you'll want to head to the streetside oyster cart every Sunday during the mollusc-slinging window. The oysters are shucked fresh, and you can pair them with regular drinks from Victory Lane's menu or $15 glasses of Laurenti Grand Cuvee champagne.

When it launched in mid-April, the event proved so popular that the oysters sold out in three hours. So, this is the kind of deal that you'll want to arrive early to make the most of.

Live tunes will provide a soundtrack, including after the special ends until the venue's 5pm closing time.

Under $100

Arcadium Adventures

Try to Escape From a Locked Room (For Fun)

By now, we've all heard about escape rooms. They've been one of the big thing in adult puzzles for a few years now, so much so that Brooklyn Nine-Nine even based one of its storylines around the concept. And, they've popped up all around Brisbane, so you and your significant other can choose between sites in the CBD, West End, Spring Hill and more.

The idea is simple: people enter a room, get locked in, and have to work together to find their way out. The solution is often far from straightforward, and usually involves a theme of the crime, mystery or horror variety.

But, no matter which kind of room and experience you choose — because picking from all the different themes is part of the fun — trying to find your way out of a confined space is a great bonding activity.

And if you're taking inspiration from the most-recent season of Heartbreak High, that's okay — who doesn't want to relive movie and TV dates?

Tourism and Events Queensland

Take a Road Trip to Hit Up the Scenic Rim's Farms

Back when Ekka cancellations were a thing, no one got to throw a ball in a clown's mouth. Hopping on rides, seeing fireworks and browsing for showbags were all scrapped, too. That's obviously no fun at all; however, for the farmers who were due to exhibit at Brisbane's annual show, the impact cut far deeper.

So, in response, an idea was born: the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail. Since 2021, it has been encouraging Brisbanites to head south, hop between properties and enjoy local wares. And, even though the Ekka returned in 2022 and 2023, the trail has become a regular occurrence. In 2024, it's making another comeback on Sunday, April 28 (then again on Sunday, July 28).

Do you and your plus one throwing a little love towards the Scenic Rim's primary producers? Keen on a day out of town? Farmers in the region will be rolling out the welcome mat from 9am–3pm. Follow the itineraries and you'll be hitting up at spots such as Towri Sheep Cheeses, complete with cuddles with lambs; Tommerup's Dairy Farm, with artisanal dairy products on offer; Scenic Rim Brewery, where there'll be tastings; and Elderflower Farm, possibly including picking flowers depending on the season.

That's just a taste of the list of producers involved — and if you'd like to get up close to some camels and alpacas while you're in that part of southeast Queensland, that's usually on the cards, too. Most of the trail's stops are dog-friendly, and bringing your esky to fill with produce is highly recommended.

One Big Blowout

Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons

Get Nostalgia at Australia's Newest Music Festival

Some music festivals introduce you and your special someone to your future favourites and today's biggest names. Others are all about enjoying yesterday's greats. Australia has no shortage of both kinds of events, but it's adding one more nostalgic-driven fest: the brand-new Pandemonium Rocks, which will debut on the country's east coast in April.

Blondie and Alice Cooper lead the lineup, meaning that 70s hits 'Heart of Glass' and 'School's Out' will echo through the fest. The familiar tunes won't stop there, either, with Wheatus sure to bust out 'Teenage Dirtbag', and Wolfmother certain to give 'Woman' and 'Joker and the Thief' a whirl.