

10 Unique Date Ideas for a Romantic Melbourne Getaway
Booked a romantic getaway in Melbourne with your other half? You could certainly linger in your hotel all day. Or head out for a typical date night—dinner, drinks, and a movie or “live” show.
But why settle for the ordinary when you can plan the ultimate lovers’ weekend in Melbourne? After all, you are in Australia’s capital of creativity, where there is always a fresh and exciting experience around the corner!
Need ideas for unique couple activities in Melbourne? Below are 10 memorable dates that you can go on, as recommended by the Pan Pacific Melbourne team.
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Start the Day With a Sunrise Run by the River


To make every minute of your Melbourne romantic getaway count, get an early start! On the Yarra Sunrise Running Tour, you and your beloved can soak in the sunrise over Melbourne’s picturesque Yarra River, before setting off on a jogging adventure to see iconic Melbourne sights.
With your trusty guide leading the way, the 7.5km running route will take you to Melbourne landmarks such as the Shrine of Remembrance, where you can stop for photos and water breaks, while getting some quick and quirky insights into Melbourne’s rich history.
First time in Melbourne? Your guide has the inside scoop on the best restaurants in the city. And since Melburnians love their coffee, you can be sure that your tour will end in one of Melbourne’s best cafes!
Book Yarra Sunrise Running Tour
Greet the Morning in a Hot Air Balloon
For early risers, a hot air balloon flight over Melbourne is a breathtaking way to catch the sunrise and see the highlights of the city. From the air, you will get a bird’s eye view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Shrine of Remembrance, and the Yarra River winding its way through the suburbs. If you are planning a marriage proposal, this would be a great time to pop the question!
Book Melbourne Hot Air Balloon Flight
Dip into Melbourne’s Melting Pot of Food and Culture
Early risers: head to South Melbourne Market (open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) for a morning coffee date, with plenty of good vibes. Savour some of the best French pastries in Melbourne at Agathe.
Prefer a guide to show you the highlights? Join the South Melbourne Market tour every second Saturday of the month, where you can sample market delights, meet specialist traders, and have a market adventure to remember.
Planning to sleep in? Let your inner foodie loose at the weekend marketplace Grazeland, which offers everything from Afghan kebabs to Greek loukoumades (donuts). Here, the energy picks up towards the evening, when musicians and roving performers pitch in to create a lively atmosphere that is fun for everyone.
Book South Melbourne Market Tour
Get directions to South Melbourne Market (5-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Get directions to Grazeland (14-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Enter the World of Art
Hoping to fall in love—with great art? At THE LUME Melbourne, you and your date can use all of your senses to engage with classic masterpieces. (For guests at Pan Pacific Melbourne, THE LUME is located directly opposite the hotel entrance.)
THE LUME has a grand vision: to bring art to life through immersive sensory experiences. A Van Gogh exhibit, for instance, will showcase your favourite pieces—such as Starry Night—in digital form, but the fun does not end there. With a fully immersive experience, you will also get to listen to ambient sounds and music from the past, and enjoy a thematic meal at a vintage pop-up cafe. Even if you are not an art aficionado, you might well become one after this visit!
Book tickets to THE LUME Melbourne
Get directions to THE LUME Melbourne (1-minute walk from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Conquer the Dance Floor


It may sound complicated, but the salsa is easy to learn, and you will only need to master three steps to hit the dance floor in style!
To get started, book a class with The Salsa Foundation—they run free classes at their studio located in the Melbourne CBD. Many attend these classes to meet new friends, but if you prefer not to rotate dance partners, you can indicate that you will be attending as a pair, and choose to only dance with each other.
Book a class at The Salsa Foundation
Get directions to The Salsa Foundation (7-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Take a Scenic Helicopter Ride
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take to the skies with your date on a private helicopter tour. You will relish the thrill of flying, as well as the 360-degree view of Melbourne’s city centre, including its towering skyscrapers, major landmarks, pristine parks, and beautiful beaches.
Book a Melbourne City Tour with Microflite
Go Punting on the Lake
Wondering what “punting” is? A punt is a long, narrow boat, used mostly for recreation, and you can take a punt tour at Melbourne’s stunning Royal Botanic Gardens to enjoy a view from the water, while a guide schools you on the area’s history and wildlife.
Get directions to Royal Botanic Gardens (8-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Bond Over Mini-Golf
Have an hour to spare, and need a novelty date idea? Head to Holey Moley for some wacky pop-culture themed golf, which is especially fun for those who love 80s and 90s nostalgia. After conquering the course, you can have a go at duets in the karaoke room, or simply chill out at the full-service bar.
Get directions to HoleyMoley (8-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Catch the Sunset at Princes Pier


Need a viewing spot to take in the beauty of sunset with your significant other?
We recommend that you head to Princes Pier! Formerly a major pier that was decommissioned in the 1980s, it was left to the mercy of vandals who repeatedly tried to burn the place down. Since then, the pier has been partially restored, but its most photogenic feature has been left untouched—the over 3,000 bridge supports that have stood through time in the waters, like “soldiers on parade.”
Get directions to Princes Pier (8-minute drive from Pan Pacific Melbourne)
Go on a Moonlight Kayak Tour
For a romantic sightseeing date on the waters, try the Melbourne Moonlight Kayak Tour—no prior kayaking experience is necessary!
This tour begins with a safety briefing and kayaking lesson. Thereafter, you will set off to explore the sights in Victoria Harbour before docking in a beautiful marina for a unique on-the-water dinner.
After your meal, continue kayaking through Melbourne’s lively downtown, past the Crown Casino and Flinders Street Railway Station. Your tour ends in the heart of Melbourne, directly across the river from Federation Square, where you can easily head back to your hotel, or continue with the night’s festivities.
Book tickets to Melbourne Moonlight Kayak Tour
Need accommodation advice for your Melbourne getaway? Check out our hotel deals, or contact the friendly team at Pan Pacific Melbourne today!
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