Love is in the air, and you’d like to take your partner on a date. And while Melbourne is full of romantic restaurants, hidden bars and soothing day spas, it’s not easy on the wallet, and things do add up quickly. If you’re looking for date ideas that don’t break the bank, there’s lots of free things for you to do in Melbourne and beyond. Make memories together with romantic garden trips, artistic adventures and more. Have fun!
Here are some free date ideas to try in Melbourne
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
With over 38 hectares to explore, there’s so many things to see and do together at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Hold hands, stroll through the gardens and admire more than 8,500 species of plants from all around the world. Smell the flowers, find sanctuary in Fern Gully, have a picnic on one of the many lawns and more.
If you’re keen for a change of scene, the gardens in Cranbourne are also a great place to explore, and is filled with over 100,000 plants and 10km of walking tracks. Start planning your date to Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria here.
Free art galleries
Get your dose of art and culture by checking out some of the free galleries around Melbourne. There’s plenty of free art to admire at NGV, and ACMI has some cool interactive experiences to try in their free exhibitions. If your date is a music lover, bring them to the Australian Music Vault and learn all about the stories of Australian music. For fans of science, bring them to Science Gallery Melbourne for an exciting collision of art and science. If you like street art, head over to The Outsiders Melbourne and marvel at a collection of rare works.
St Kilda Pier
Take a sunset stroll along the newly reopened St Kilda Pier. Gaze at the city skyline, watch the boats bobbing along the water and feel like a main character in a movie as you share your hopes and dreams with each other. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the adorable St Kilda penguins.
The Conservatory
Wander over to Fitzroy Gardens and pop into The Conservatory. Leave the world behind and admire a free display of spectacular flowers. The display changes every other month, so you’ll always find something new to admire together. It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm (or 5:30pm during daylight savings), and only closed on Christmas Day.
Salsa dancing
If you’ve always dreamed of going dancing together, why don’t you go salsa dancing at The Salsa Foundation? They do free salsa classes for beginners every week, on Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm and every Sunday at 3:30pm. There’s also a free beginners class for bachata every Tuesday at 6pm. You’ll find The Salsa Foundation at 600 Collins Street. Bookings are required.
State Library Victoria
Have a study date together in the magnificent State Library Victoria and find plenty of cool books in the massive collection. There’s also free exhibitions to check out and free tours for you to take.
Abbotsford Convent
Visit the historic, multi-arts precinct, Abbotsford Convent. Take a self-guided tour and learn the history of the Convent, admire art in the St Heliers Street Gallery, pop into the open studios to see the work of local creatives and hang out in the sprawling heritage garden and grounds. Find out more here.
Flying foxes at Yarra Bend Park
Love nature? Head to Yarra Bend Park and keep an eye out for the colony of grey-headed flying foxes. This nationally threatened bat species can be seen roosting in the park during the day, and at dusk, you can watch them fly out in large numbers. There is a viewing platform at Bellbird Picnic Area, as well as a Bat Colony Nature Trail. If you’d like to learn even more about the flying foxes, there are free tours for you to join.
Sculpture park at Heide Museum of Modern Art
The exhibitions at Heide Museum of Modern Art are ticketed, but the gardens and sculpture park are completely free! Located roughly half an hour away from the city, the heritage-listed gardens and sculpture park are open all year round. See over 30 works across the 15-acre site, then explore the different gardens, including two kitchen gardens, a healing garden and more. You’re welcome to bring a picnic along, just remember to take your rubbish with you. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they’re on a lead. See more here.
Victoria State Rose Garden
Smell over 5000 blooming roses at the delightful Victoria State Rose Garden. This charming space has a gazebo, where you can duck out of the sun and whisper loving things to each other. Walk down the paths and feel like you’re living in your own period romance as you take in the colourful flowers. This garden is particularly stunning in November and March, but there are always blooms available to admire from early October to late July.
And although you need a ticket to explore the nearby Werribee Park Mansion, the gardens are also free for you to enter. Discover an ornamental lake, a grotto, plenty of plants and a lawn that’s great for picnics. If you’re looking for free date ideas in the west of Melbourne, these two spots certainly tick the box.
Serendip Sanctuary
Drive less than an hour from Melbourne to Lara and have a fun day out together at the wildlife oasis, Serendip Sanctuary. This 250 hectare space is located at the base of the You Yangs and is home to 150 different species of birds, including emus, as well as mammals like wallabies and kangaroos. There’s also a picnic area, complete with free electric barbecues. It’s open every day from 8am to 4pm, except for Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Beaches
Take pictures together in front of the famous Brighton Bathing Boxes, go snorkelling and enjoy lovely long walks on the beach. With plenty of beaches to choose from in Melbourne and Victoria, there’s so many possibilities for free dates.
Redwood Forests
There’s two Redwood Forests to choose from if you’re looking for free date ideas outside of Melbourne. If you live on the east, make your way over to East Warburton and admire plenty of towering Californian redwoods. If you’re on the west, drive over to The Otways and walk among the enchanting giants in Beech Forest. You can pack a picnic to enjoy in both locations if you’re feeling hungry.
National Parks
Up for an adventure? Go and explore the best that Victoria has to offer and check out the wonders of our national parks. Walk through forests, valleys and coastlines, and make memories that you won’t forget.