11 Ideas for Keeping Date Night Interesting in Brisbane

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According to studies, a couple's long-term satisfaction with each other depends on a few key factors. Thinking positively about each other, thinking about each other when apart, acting affectionately with each other, sharing new and challenging activities, and generally being happy in both their shared and individual lives – all of these factors play a part.

Individuals that incorporate these factors into their long-term relationships report intensities of romantic love comparable to individuals newly in love. Feeling like your love is growing a little stale? Then bring these factors in by creating some memorable dates, from each of these categories…

1. The foodie date

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Are you and your date self-confessed foodies? Try out these options.

Picnic in the Botanic Gardens

A beautiful cheese board can be enjoyed over many hours and is conducive to great conversation. Why not pick up one of The Cheese Pleaser's signature hampers before heading to the Botanic Gardens or Orleigh Park for it's views over the city? Products they love to add include Fire Dancer peanuts, Bee One Third honey, olives and chutney, rocky road, nougat, salt, caramel fudge and pistachio dukkah. Yum!

Dinner at Urbane

Intimate dinners are the cornerstone of romance. The number one rule when choosing how to make it amazing is to pick a memorable location – and we're here to help. If your date is a self confessed foodie, there's no better Brisbane restaurant than Urbane. The proud recipients of three chef hats, Urbane is an icon in the Brisbane dining scene and will without a doubt leave your date feeling special.

Evolution is an important part of the history of food and at Urbane, guests are treated and encouraged to try new taste sensations. The menu cannot be labelled by country or style, with the talented team in the kitchen fans of both traditional and modern techniques from around the globe. The menu is, however, heavily influenced by the best local produce they can find. Headed by co-owner and Executive Chef, Alejandro Cancino and Brisbane local Andrew Buchanan, you'll be amazed from the moment you step through the doors at Urbane.

Fancy giving your date a romantic invitation to dinner? Present them with a Good Food Gift Card and let them know you're taking them out for a special meal.  

2. The nature date

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If getting outdoors is just what Cupid ordered, consider heading to these Brisbane beauties.

Rockpools and swimming holes

The Cedar Creek section of the Mount Tamborine National Park is located just an hour from Brisbane and is the ideal stop before heading up to Tamborine Mountain. The Rock Pools track provides easy access to Cedar Creek and some of its spectacular cascades, waterfalls and rockpools, and access to the swimming holes is easy via slope rock shelves. Just be warned, the water can be quite cold, even in the heart of summer.

A forest walk

Mt Coot-tha Forest is Brisbane's largest natural area, with more than 1500 hectares of open forest. The summit track travels from the J.C Slaughter Falls PIcnic Area, through open eucalypt forest. Once at the summit, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the city, Moreton Bay, Stradbroke Islands and the southern ranges. Pack a picnic and enjoy.

Kookaburra Showboat Cruises

You can even take your dinner date out into nature by heading to the river for an entertaining, show-stopping dinner date where great food, exciting performance and beautiful views come together. The iconic Kookaburra River Queen paddle wheelers will take you on a cruising journey past Brisbane's best sights, including the beautiful Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point cliffs, Story Bridge and Southbank. Enjoy a feast for the senses over three courses or indulge in savoury and sweet treats as part of high tea. Alternatively you could go all out and enhance the experience by ordering the Showboat's signature seafood platter, which includes everything from Moreton Bay bugs and tiger prawns to oysters, calamari, lobster and more.

3. The cultured date

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For the cultured date, Brisbane has lots to offer.

Cinebar

Artsy folk will love Blue Room Cinebar, which exhibits both arthouse and mainstream movies while serving wine, beer and light meals. Located in Rosalie, it's an independent, gold-class style cinema in the heart of Brisbane and offerings include a large selection of nibbles, handmade pizzas, share platters and desserts – all made in house and delivered straight to your seat. Even better, it's just gone through a major renovation to make it an even more stand-out cinematic experience.

Ghost tour

For those that prefer their dates on the darker shade, the Boggo Road Gaol Ghost Tours will give you a great reason to stay close to each other. Mainland Australia's longest-running ghost tours, they're led by local horror historian Jack Sim and commence every Wednesday – Sunday evening from 7:30pm. Another tour worth noting is the Toowong Cemetery tour, held both Friday and Saturday night.

Galleries and museums

The Cultural Precinct at Southbank has two galleries to choose from plus there's also the exhibition rooms at the State Library of Queensland. Alternatively you can tap into your nerdy inner self and check out the Queensland Museum or the Museum of Brisbane.

4. The conversation-starting date

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Need a little help getting the conversation flowing? These dates are sure to keep it interesting.

Comedy night

A good giggle will always create a memorable date and at the Brisbane Powerhouse Knockoff hour, you're sure to get that. Held every Friday from 6pm, Knockoff offers one hour of free comedy by a variety of local and national comedians and with unspoilt river views it's the right way to start your Friday night.

Teppanyaki at Ten Japanese Restaurant

For the fun, interactive, conversation-starting dinner date, you can't go past Ten Japanese Restaurant in Broadbeach. Ten delivers impeccable formal Japanese dining, from hot towels on arrival to highly personalised attentive service that comes complete with a parting gift.

Awarded a chef hat by the Brisbane Good Food Guide three years in a row, Ten offers a choice of two degustation menus, one being 5-6 courses, the other 12-13 courses. While the menus change each month, you can expect to find dishes such as fresh sashimi, Byron Bay pork belly, Patagonian toothfish and mouth-watering Tajima Wagyu sirloin

5. The active date

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Like to keep moving on your dates? Get stuck into one of these more active options.

Adrenaline fuel

If your idea of a date is to get the heart pumping then look for an adrenaline-filled date such as hot air ballooning, a helicopter ride, or rock climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Challenge yourself in the great outdoors and enjoy the best views of the beautiful city.

Two-wheeled date

Brisbane's bike paths offer non-stop Instagram-worthy scenic views and are the perfect way to see the city. Don't have a bike? Then simply jump on a couple of the CityCycle bikes dotted around the city and start cruising the river's edge. Not sure where to go? Then check out this list of great bike paths.

Date night isn't just for Valentine's Day

Choose dates that will foster long-term satisfaction and your love will never feel stale again. Want to make your date really special? Present your loved one with a Good Food Gift Card, highlighting the fact that you'd love to do it again soon.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.