16 Unique Valentines Day Ideas in Melbourne

Valentine’s Day in Melbourne is the perfect time to explore the city, feel the romantic energy and celebrate your love. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas Melbourne, we’ve found 16 amazing ideas that will have you and your significant other feeling loved up in this Australian city. 

From arty portraits to outdoor adventures, here are 16 unique Melbourne Valentine’s Day ideas to inspire you to make the first move. 

1. Cheers to Rooftop Drinks 

Kick off your romantic Valentine’s evening in Melbourne with a view. Melbourne is known for its hospitality and breathtaking rooftop bars, setting the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in the city. Can you see the twinkling city lights already? 

Fitzroy’s Naked in the Sky offers panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline, a chic ambience, and a menu with tasty tapas. Or maybe Madame Brussels is more up your alley: an outdoor rooftop garden bar that gives vintage charm, complete with faux grass and tennis gear. 

Enjoy a cocktail or two before your next event, or settle in for the night under the stars with this Melbourne Valentine’s Day idea.

2. Have a Picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens

A Valentine’s Day picnic in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens is bliss for couples wanting to celebrate during the day. 

Pack a picnic basket with gourmet cheeses, fresh fruits, and bubbly. Lay a cosy blanket beneath the trees, admire the nature around you (and your partner, of course!) and pop the champagne. It may seem cheesy, but a picnic never goes out of style for Valentine’s Day. 

3. Paint Your Partner at Pinot & Picasso

For a creative Valentine’s Day twist, try Pinot & Picasso in Melbourne’s trendy suburbs. This paint and sip experience guarantees fun, laughter, and self-expression as you create your masterpieces. With all art supplies provided, a talented artist will take you step-by-step through your chosen artwork, so don’t worry; there’s no talent necessary here. 

This Valentine’s Day, these paint and sip studios offer their Paint Your Partner session, where you can connect, bond with, and create a portrait of each other. If you’ve got a sense of humour, you’ll get a kick out of this Valentine’s Day idea in Melbourne! Bring your own BYO drinks and snacks or order a grazing box with your local Pinot & Picasso studio ahead of your date night. 

With nearly 10 studios around the Melbourne CBD area, there are plenty of opportunities to get arty together this Valentine’s Day. 

4. Enjoy a Yarra River Cruise

Watch the city sparkle with a Yarra River cruise in Melbourne. They offer special Valentine’s Day packages, including a delightful dinner, live entertainment, and uninterrupted cityscape views. Sip champagne, savour gourmet dishes, and let Melbourne’s iconic landmarks light up your night. 

Choose from a classic dinner cruise or an intimate private charter, making this Valentine’s Day in Melbourne smooth sailing. 

5. Experience Melbourne Zoo After Dark

For a unique Valentine’s Day, visit Melbourne Zoo after dark. See the most exotic creatures in the world with this fun experience. 

The Zoo’s special night tours reveal nocturnal creatures’ behaviours that can only be seen at night. Make it more exclusive with a private animal encounter, allowing you to get close to lemurs and big cats. If your partner is an animal lover, this Melbourne Valentine’s Day idea is a no-brainer. 

6. Stroll through the Queen Victoria Market

On Valentine’s Day, take a walk through Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market, a vibrant hub of culture and cuisine. Explore the fresh produce section for local ingredients like artisanal cheeses and fresh fruit (we’re thinking chocolate-dipped strawberries!).

This Valentine’s Day idea will make you fall in love with Melbourne again as you try delicious foods worldwide. You could even stop here before heading to a picnic or making food together at home. We’re really giving you all the ideas for Valentine’s Day! 

7. Uncover Hidden Gems with Laneway Dining

Take the candlelit dinner and make it unforgettable. Discover the best food Melbourne has to offer in their hidden laneways. Popular spots like Degraves Street, Hosier Lane, and Hardware Lane offer modern and diverse dining options bound to have your mouthwatering through every course. 

From pasta to gourmet pizza, you’ll be overwhelmed with choices but not disappointed with the experience this Valentine’s Day. 

8. Get Cosy at the Moonlight Cinema

A movie night under the stars? Say less! For a classic Valentine’s Day idea, head to Melbourne’s Moonlight Cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens. 

Bring your own drinks and snacks, get cosy under a blanket and watch a flick together in this romantic outdoor setting. We’re not gonna lie, this Valentine’s Day idea may set a new standard for movie night at home. 

9. Enjoy a Breath-Taking Hot Air Balloon Ride

Want to go the extra mile for your Valentine? Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Melbourne with a hot air balloon ride over the stunning Yarra Valley. We recommend getting up at the crack of dawn to see the breathtaking views of vineyards and the Melbourne region as the sun rises. 

After your hot air balloon ride, you can enjoy a romantic gourmet breakfast and look back through your photos and videos to relive the experience again! 

10. Serve Up the Love at a Cooking Class for Two

Spice up your relationship with a cooking class for two in Melbourne this Valentine’s Day. Choose a cuisine you both love or try something new as you learn from the many talented chefs in Melbourne. 

Collaborate and bond while creating delicious food in these interactive cooking classes. If you’re unable to get out of the house for Valentine’s Day, you can always see which Melbourne restaurants offer virtual cooking classes.

At the end, light the candles and enjoy the meal you made together. It’s a perfect blend of learning, creativity, and togetherness for food-loving couples (which is all of us, right?).

11. Get Jazzy at a Melbourne Jazz Club

Melbourne’s jazz scene sets the stage for a romantic Valentine’s Day. Jazz clubs citywide offer special performances in intimate settings with soft candlelight and soulful melodies. 

Bird’s Basement, a renowned jazz club in the city, has hosted global legends and maybe you this Valentine’s Day! Sip on cocktails and lose yourself in the rhythm and blues this Melbourne Valentine’s Day. 

12. Go Under the Sea at the Melbourne Aquarium

Explore the Melbourne Aquarium for a unique Valentine’s Day adventure. Along the Yarra River, it showcases sea creatures from Australia and beyond. 

Walk through tunnels and galleries to meet sharks, stingrays, and colourful fish. Don’t miss the Oceanarium, which surrounds you with the deep sea – it’ll feel like you’re in a movie (or more realistically, the ocean)! 

If your partner is a sea world lover, the Melbourne Aquariums offers behind-the-scenes tours or private encounters for a more immersive experience.

13. Treat Your Love to a Romantic Beach Getaway

While we’re still in summer, it’d be a shame not to do one more trip to the beach and dip your toes in the water. Escape the city for a romantic beach getaway on Valentine’s Day. 

St. Kilda Beach, close to the city centre, has an iconic pier and a vibrant atmosphere that is not to be missed. Or head to Brighton Beach, known for its colourful bathing boxes, which is perfect for a beachfront picnic. 

Wherever you go for your beach trip, pack your favourite snacks and champagne, share a meal by the sea, and enjoy the summer sun while it lasts in Melbourne. 

14. Sip on Cocktails at the Botanical Cocktail Garden

For a unique Valentine’s Day idea in Melbourne, escape to Eau De Vie‘s hidden botanical cocktail garden. Tucked away from the bustling streets, it’s an oasis for cocktail enthusiasts and romantics alike. Known for their innovative creations, the cocktail menu features fresh herbs and exotic flavours that will tingle your taste buds.

Whether a classic or something exotic, Eau De Vie’s Botanical Cocktail Garden is the perfect place to start your Valentine’s Day events in Melbourne. 

15. Laugh and Cry at a Live Show 

Melbourne’s theatre and comedy shows set the scene for a perfect Valentine’s Day outing. Iconic venues like Princess Theatre and Regent Theatre host a variety of shows, from classic plays to musicals. 

If comedy is more up your alley, book a show featuring local and international talent at comedy venues like The Comics Lounge and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 

A night of live entertainment like this gives you something to look forward to – we know your partner will be impressed with how far in advance you booked!

16. Enjoy an Escape Room Adventure

Do you like being locked in a room together? Seek adventure and challenge on Valentine’s Day with an escape room in Melbourne. If you like group dates or double dates, this is a fun twist to suggest! 

Various venues offer immersive experiences that always have a theme or story. You must work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and escape within a time limit, which will really test your communication skills. 

Find a Pinot & Picasso Studio Near You

Valentine’s Day ideas don’t need to be boring. Enjoy a creative night out with a twist at one of our Pinot & Picasso studios. Connect together, enjoy a laugh together and create a masterpiece that’ll give you fond memories of this Valentine’s Day. Book your next date night at your local Melbourne paint and sip studio and make it a Valentine’s Day to remember!