10 Free Date Ideas To Try In Melbourne

Dating doesn’t have to leave a dint in your bank account. In fact, it doesn’t have to cost a dime at all. From art galleries to free concerts, picnics and coffee appreciation classes, here are 10 free date ideas that are perfect whether you’ve just swiped right or been together a lifetime.

1. Picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Botanical Garden

For a relaxing, leisurely date visit Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Covering 94 acres, the inner-city oasis features 11 picturesque lawns, a lake, and two restaurants. Plan a romantic picnic at Picnic Point and waste away the afternoon watching punt boats glide across the Ornamental Lake. Afterwards, take a stroll through the many unique gardens including Guilfoyle’s Volcano or take the self-guided Herbarium Discovery Walk.

2. Peruse Melbourne’s Night Market

Market, Food Stall, Australian, Vegetarian, Dessert, European

Since 1998, Melbourne’s historic Queen Victoria Market has presented the annual Summer Night Market. Held on Wednesday nights from November to April, the Night Market features global food traders, artisan and vintage stalls, live musicians and roving entertainment. In 2016, the Winter Night Market was launched as an alternative to the summer series.

Catch a Free Gig

Melbourne has a thriving music scene with gigs on every night of the week. While there are plenty of ticketed events, there are also many free shows you can attend. Venues including the infamous Cherry Bar hold both ticketed and free concerts and every summer The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Sidney Myer Free Concerts at the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Stroll along Southbank

For a simple date take a stroll through Southbank. Stretching along the Yarra River from Princes Bridge to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank is one of Melbourne’s popular precinct with top restaurants, bars, high-end retailers, hotels and Crown Casino. Spend a lazy afternoon meandering along the promenade and watch the skyline light up. After dark, marvel at the Gas Brigades that send fireballs into the sky every night.

I’m Free Walking Tours

Discover Melbourne hand in hand with I’m Free Walking Tours. Independent and locally owned, the company offers a Melbourne Sights Tour where you’ll discover the history and explore some of the most iconic attractions in Melbourne. Departing twice daily, the walking tour includes Melbourne’s laneways, Block Arcade, Flinders Street Station, Bourke St Shopping Mall, Old Melbourne Gaol, Carlton Gardens and so much more.