23rd june 2019

TEN UNIQUE DATE IDEAS FOR WINTER

​As the winter weather officially kicks off here in Sydney, it’s time to pull out those jumpers, pour yourself a hot chocolate and snuggle up. However, if you’re trying to impress someone you love, or busy swiping right, you might be getting a little stuck trying to organise the perfect winter date night out in Sydney.  While it’s tempting to stay at home and order pizza, we promise there are plenty of things to see and do on a winter date night in Sydney.
 
From special degustation dinners, to star gazing, and even the chance to live out your inner Happy Gilmore, it’s time to put aside those ugg boots and take away dinners to plan the perfect winter date night.
 
Whether you’re planning on popping the big question, celebrating your 50th anniversary, or you’re going on your very first date, here are some of our favourite things to do for a winter date night in Sydney. 

• Embrace Winter at Luna Park

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Just because the temperature may have dropped, it doesn’t mean you have to hide indoors re-watching your favourite Netflix show!  Every year Luna Park turns puts on a Winterfest with lots of perfectly suited wintery food and activities on offer. The standout of course is the ice-skating rink, which stays open till 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights making it a perfect date night activity. Impress your date with your cool skating tricks, or at least keep them laughing with your disastrous clumsiness!

Afterwards, head to the carousel-inspired diner, The Hungry House, or stroll through the many pop-up stalls on offer. Think winter treats like Baileys hot chocolate, caramel pretzels and gooey s'mores.

• Share a seafood platter at Garfish

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​If one of your favourite summer past times is sitting on the beach devouring fresh seafood, then make sure to take your date to Garfish Restaurant & Bar. Situated in iconic Manly, Garfish offer diners unbeatable views of Manly Wharf and a constantly changing blackboard menu featuring only the freshest market fish sourced that very morning.
 
While their Snapper Pie has become a crowd favourite, we highly recommended the live rock lobster, which is cooked on their signature wood fired oven and served with lemon herb butter.
  

• Enjoy a Penfolds Grange Degustation Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour

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If you are planning an extra special date night, then you can’t go past a dinner on iconic Sydney Harbour. Starting with a spectacular sunset, jump on-board the prestigious MV Sydney 2000 for the Platinum Penfolds Grange Dinner Cruise.
 
As you cruise Sydney Harbour you’ll be treated to a 6 course degustation menu, which is matched with Penfold’s platinum selection of private bin and vintage wines. Platinum window seating is available to ensure that you and your date take in the incredible million dollar views. 

•  Watch the sun go down next to Quarantine Beach

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There is nothing more romantic than watching the sun over the ocean with your partner (or partner to be).  Better yet this is a location for every season, kayaking and ice creams in summer or relaxing with cheese and antipasto in winter, you’ll have snacks and romance sorted! 

There is no better spot than our very own Boilerhouse Kitchen and Bar, right on the edge of Quarantine Beach, a secluded hidden gem with gorgeous views out to the harbour and only a short stroll away from the accommodation of the historic Q Station hotel.  The beach is 200m long, faces northwest into the North Harbour and is in a quiet and sheltered location hemmed in by rocks and national park with silvery sand and clear, calm water. 
 
Make it a double date and take your friends along to a special degustation event, such as Christmas in July, Bastille Day Long Lunch or any of the regular foodie experiences at Q Station.

•  Book a room with a view at Q Station

​If you really want to impress you can’t go past our Retreat Suites at Q Station.  The suite offers a perfect romantic getaway, located on the headland within Sydney Harbour National Park in the refurbished former Isolation Precinct, this area has one of the most amazing views of Sydney Harbour.  Take advantage of the private guest lounge, with panoramic views across the water. 
 
Take your love interest on a scenic stroll along the Fairfax walk accessing post card views of Sydney Harbour, then it’s only a 5 minute walk from your hotel suite to the Boilerhouse Kitchen and Bar for an award winning a la carte dinner.

•  Dine Italian at Belgrave Cartel

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For those wanting the perfect mid-week (and budget) date night, check out Wednesday nights at Belgrave Cartel. Born out of a love of delicious food, great coffee and music by three local brothers, Belgrave Cartel is a venue that oozes cosy, casual date night feels.  Wednesday nights are home to $20 Pasta e Vino night. Tuck into their pasta of the day and a glass of house vino or Peroni for just $20, while also listening to the sweet sounds of live music. 

• Stargaze at Sydney Conservatory

Dry and cloudless winter nights are perfect for stargazing and there’s no better place to do just that than the Sydney Observatory. Join one of their nightly tours where you’ll get the chance to use Australia’s oldest working telescope to experiencing the magic of a star studded night sky.
  

• Cuddle up at the drive in movies

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Fill the boot of your car with lots of blankets and pillows, pack a bottle of wine and your favourite snacks and head to Blacktown drive in cinemas.  Showcasing the best new releases, the old school drive-in is a great way to spend a night out with someone special, without having to get out of the winter pyjamas.

•  Show off your golf skills at Holey Moley

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For those looking for a fun and casual date night, Holey Moley is the perfect solution. With 3 different courses and 27 differently themed holes, there’s plenty of opportunity to flex your putt-putt skills in front of your date. And because this isn’t your regular old mini golf course, you’ll find the Caddyshank bar serving up golf inspired cocktails. It’s pretty much a hole-in-one!