Dating in Australia is one of the most exciting parts of the international student experience. Whether you’re in a relationship or enjoying your single life, there’s so much to explore in the Australian dating scene.
So, if you’re a little tired of the standard “dinner and a movie” date, don’t stress. You’ll have plenty of options that are way more creative and way more fun. Incredible nightlife, restaurants, outdoor dates – the list goes on and on. With so many possibilities, it can be tough to know where to start. Fortunately, with the help of this guide, planning your next great date just got a whole lot easier.
Here are five of our best date night ideas for 2021.
1. Explore your city on a restaurant crawl
Restaurant hopping is a fun way to try new things with someone special. You can taste new foods, experience different atmospheres, and maybe find your new favourite spot. But when it comes to planning a restaurant crawl, you may not know where to start.
It’s this gap in the market that caught the attention of some local and international students. Together, they came up with a perfect solution: an app that plans date night for you! This group of students, known as Imprints, named their app idea Spiced Dating. They then pitched it in the City of Joondalup and franked.io‘s annual Joondalup Innovation Challenge. Ultimately, their creativity paid off – Spiced Dating was crowned the winner of the event!
Two of the team’s members were Curtis Brand and Russell Lee. Curtis is a local, second-year Pre-Service Teacher at Edith Cowan University. Based in Singapore, Russell is an offshore international student at the University of Western Australia. He is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Management).
Spiced Dating would tell you where to go on a date in Joondalup by directing you to different venues for different meals or activities. No matter where you are, you and your date can easily adopt this model in your own city! When you do, you’ll soon discover that the date night possibilities are endless.
“You pick three cuisines and the app offers suggestions,” Curtis explains. “Sure, you could catch up over coffee. Or maybe you end up going out for a cheeky drink at a bar or you enjoy a nice walk to a local Lebanese restaurant.”
Russell says that Spiced Dating is especially ideal for international students because it’s “a great opportunity to try out different restaurants in Joondalup that they might not have tried otherwise. [It gives couples] a different and new experience.”
This unique date night idea for students, conceived by fellow students, helps you support local businesses (which is incredibly important in 2021!) while enjoying an evening out.
2. Have a virtual paint and sip night
Are you and your partner in a long-distance relationship? Are you currently unable to see each other due to a lockdown in your area? These challenges can be tough, but you can still have fun together with one of our best home date ideas: an online paint and sip night.
To have a virtual paint and sip night, you’ll need a few tools. First, grab some art supplies – we recommend a canvas, some acrylic paints and brushes. Next, you’ll need your favourite beverage, whether it’s wine, a smoothie or even tea. Finally, decide what to paint! You can use a reference image (try your hand at a Van Gogh), or why not try portraits of each other? Grab your tablet or laptop to jump on a Zoom call with your date. Once you’re online, the two of you can chat, sip and paint the night away! It’s a great way to feel connected while fuelling your creativity.
3. Have a picnic in the park
Sunshine, fresh air, yummy snacks – we can’t think of a better set-up for a date! Head to the grocery store to grab some cheese, crackers, fruit, and whatever else you’d like. Pack it all up in a cute picnic basket or a cooler/esky, along with a big blanket or a couple towels. Once you’re packed and ready, make your way to your favourite local park. Pick a spot and enjoy your feast in the great outdoors.
4. Find the fun in fitness
Maybe you and your special someone are super into fitness. Maybe you’re not a fitness fanatic, but you’re hoping to become a little more active. Either way, a date that includes some physical activity could be a great option for you.
If you’re wondering where to go on a date in the fitness world, there are heaps of options you can explore. Take a spin cycle or a boxing class together. Do yoga in the park or over Zoom if you’re keen on a virtual date. Get back to nature by going for a hike or a beach walk. If you’re more into sport, play a few rounds of basketball or soccer. No matter your fitness level or budget, there are exercise dates to suit your needs.
5. Host an at-home spa night
Sometimes, the pre-date jitters can get the best of you. So, why not opt for a relaxing date to melt some of that stress away?
An at-home spa night is one of the best home date ideas for 2021. Grab some face masks from your local chemist, light some candles and play some soothing spa music to set the mood. More into DIYs? No problem! Make your own face masks from scratch using ingredients in your kitchen.
Best of all, this is a super affordable option for students on a budget. You can unwind without breaking the bank – sounds like a win-win to us!
“As a City, which is home to the first innovation hub in WA, our goal is to build Joondalup’s reputation as a place for innovation and creativity and these innovators of the future look set to make their mark at a local, national and global level,” shares Joondalup Mayor, Albert Jacob.
The Joondalup Innovation Challenge is a Virtual Employability & Entrepreneurship Challenge designed to build the employability and resilience of University students. It brings together educators, business leaders, entrepreneurs and artists to build a community unlike any other – learn more here!
