Romantic Things To Do In Wollongong & The Illawarra. Date Ideas for Couples…

Welcome to What’s on in Wollongong for Couples Edition. The best romantic things to do for couples in Wollongong! Here at What’s On In Wollongong we’ve put together some delicious ways to surprise your lover – locally! These unique date ideas represent the best that the South Coast Of NSW has to offer. So whether you want to make a big splash, or keep it simple – we’ve got you covered. Find the best ways to surprise and delight your date.

If a quiet candlelit dinner is more your style, check out our ultimate local guide to Romantic Dining and Best Restaurants in Wollongong for Couples 🙂

There is plenty to do around Wollongong if you want to romance your date or loved one.

Jervis Bay Wild

Explore the natural beauty of the South Coast with Jervis Bay Wild

Nothing is more romantic or relaxing than exploring the rugged cliffs and sea caves of the Beecroft Peninsula, accompanied by the resident dolphins and stunning marine life, crystal blue waters and majestic beauty of Jervis Bay Marine Park. As the sun slowly recedes below the escarpment, tantalise your tastebuds with a selection of fruit and cheese platters. (Warning: Uncontrollable Sighing on board very likely). Sound too good to be true? Well the awesome team at Jervis Bay Wild can make all of that happen.

Their picturesque Sunset River Cruise (that also takes in the lagoon of Honeymoon Bay) is one of the South Coast’s most romantic things to do with a glass of wine in your hand. Other scenic and fun options are their Kayaking/SUP hire (the perfect ‘couple activity) and their popular Dolphin Watching Cruise. And…..if you really wanted to pull out all the stop for your beloved, imagine your very own private charter with a picnic and bottle of bubbly stowed on board. Whatever your budget, create some lasting and romantic memories with Jervis Bay Wild.

Pony & Wolf Pop Up Picnics

*Luxurious bespoke picnic for two? A date you’ll never forget…*

Romantic Things To Do In Wollongong. Different Date Ideas for Couples – Pony & Wolf Pop Up Picnics

Pony & Wolf Bespoke Pop Up Picnics create seriously luxe picnics for all types of events – catering for groups from 2 upwards. Pony & Wolf Pop Up Picnics are the perfect way to celebrate for a romantic birthday, anniversary, proposal and even micro weddings & elopements. Every picnic is styled exclusively for your event with gorgeous details and custom rustic signage. Pony & Wolf Pop Up Picnics will create the perfect picnic to meet your needs, complete with beautifully styled delicious grazing platters catered to your liking. They even have a cute teepee – perfect for a romantic picnic for two.
Don’t be discouraged by cooler weather either, their wintertime picnics are super popular with snuggly throws, different tent options to help create a cosy atmosphere + more. (Their Lotus Bud tent is perfect for a romantic evening together!)

Cozy up under the stars at Sunset Cinema Wollongong

From the 12 December, screening Thursday to Saturday until late March, Sunset Cinema Wollongong will be bringing its signature mix of new releases, family faves and all-time classics from under the stars at the stunning Wollongong Botanic Garden.

Imagine a warm summer evening, lounging in a squishy bean bag, ready to settle in for a movie under the stars… sigh….grab burgers from His Boy Elroy + enjoy a fully licensed bar & fresh popcorn to go. Treat yourself to a VIP experience in the Sunset Lounge – get front-row seats with premium bean loungers and bottomless popcorn! Perfect for date night, they are also run a series of special movies in time for Valentine’s Day. Secure your tickets now.

Bigwave Skydive

For those couples out there, seeking more of an adrenaline-fuelled kick to their Valentine’s Day, you simply cannot go past a skydive adventure with Bigwave Skydive!

Enjoy a scenic flight up to 15,000ft enjoying panoramic coastal and bushland views, before jumping out and freefalling over Shellharbour’s new marina! Bigwave Skydive’s experienced and friendly team, and exclusive location provide for the ultimate skydiving adventure.

Looking for a romantic adventure? Bigwave Skydive have a special Valentines Day package which includes:

Scenic Tandem skydive for two
Photo and video package for two
Bonus combined edited short video
Bubbly on landing
Get in touch with their team to learn more here!

The Picnic Train – Old Style Romance – all aboard!

*Step back in time and board the Picnic Train!*

All year, the historic Picnic Train – a beautiful old school steam locomotive is offering steam train rides across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands + more.

Whether you opt to join the Kiama or Wollongong journey, the ocean and escarpment views are just spectacular. I still get goosebumps at the blast of the steam train whistle…

Private compartments are $160 per cabin, but if you don’t want to break the bank you can travel for $40 each. The best part? Picnics are encouraged! So BYO wine and beers, pack your favourite yum yums and get ready for a cute little adventure together. It’s easy to be transported to another world with the sounds and scents of the old train. Definitely a unique date experience.

Row Row Row Your Boat – Audley Weir Boat Shed

*Steal a kiss as you row down the lazy river*

Located in the glorious Royal National Park, the Audley Boat Shed hires many different types of water craft, but perhaps the most romantic are the row boats. Launch your love at Audley Weir and explore the Port Hacking River and Kangaroo Creek. Boat hire starts at $20 for one hour.

You can pack a picnic to enjoy on the bank, or head to the Audley Dance Hall café after you have worked up an appetite. Rowing and romancing are hungry work! If you are more at the quirky end of romance, the water bikes are for you. There are also mountain bikes for hire if you and your date prefer to stay on terra firma.

The Boat Shed will provide you will your life jackets, and all the secret spots you should visit.

Hold Your Horses – Darkes Forest Riding Ranch

*Dreamy bushland horse riding together, the stuff memories are made of…*

If your sweetheart is a horse lover, maybe a trail ride could be the adventure you are looking for on your next date. Darkes Forest Riding Ranch offer a 30 minute trail ride for $85 per person – and all through the most gorgeous bushland tracks.

The horses are very kind (and so are the guides) so even if you are a beginner, you will be confident to giddy up. It’s a great way to explore the bush, giving you a whole different perspective. Funny how even little horses seem big when you are on their backs! It’s a whole other view from up there. Longer tours available if you are keen to up your cowboy game.

Darkes Glenburnie Orchard – Sweet apples, sweeter company

*Sweet apples with your sweetheart? Delightful!*

Picking apples (or nectarines and peaches) might not seem like an obvious choice for a date. However walking between the pretty green of the apple trees, taking your time to pick the fruit and learning from the experts about what goes in to orchard life is a relaxing and enchanting way to spend some time.

Partnering with the café Earthwalker & Co you can also grab a bite at the orchard and sample some of the delicious Darkes ciders on offer. The Paddock Café is open until 2pm on the weekends, but you are also welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the surrounds.

A Hole In One – Illawarra Golf Complex & Helensburgh Golf

*Give it a little tap-tap on a cheeky Putt Putt date!*

You can’t pass a little bit of old school Putt Putt golf to get some giggles. Illawarra Golf Complex down in Windang has a fantastic 18 hole Putt Putt course to test your skills. It’s only $9 per adult for your first game and if you feel a re-match is order, the second game is only $6. Tie-breaker? The third game is free.

If Putt Putt is too quiet for you, there is a driving range as well where you and your date can whack the daylights out of 50 golf balls for just $11 a bucket. You don’t need to book, there are 21 hitting bays – 5 of which are undercover.

Helensburgh Golf, at the top of the northern Illawarra, also has a challenging 18 hole Putt Putt course for $10.50 per adult, which you usually get all to yourselves! Get out there and get ready for a bit of silliness and some cheeky competition! Helensburgh also have a fantastic driving range and you can get your 50 balls for $10.50. So north or south – your golf date is sorted.

Delight them with a dip in a Tidal Rock Pool

*Dive into bliss and reconnect with your loved one on a swimming date!*

If life is feeling too chaotic at the moment, why not reconnect with your Lover with a little saltwater therapy? Wollongong has dozens of tidal rock and swimming pools just waiting to be discovered. From Coalcliff to The Blue Mile, these delicious ocean refreshed pools will wash away your worries and let you focus on what’s really important – each other. What a gift! I’ve put together a list of all my favourite special spots, head over to Best Rock Pools to get the skinny…

Pump those endorphins on an Escarpment Bushwalk

*It doesn’t get much better: the view from the Sublime Point lookout*

What better place to make special memories than high on the rugged escarpment? This incredible ancient landscape boasts rainforests and clifftops, incredible biodiversity and some of the most spectacular views on the planet. (Am I biased? Yes.) If you have a love of adventure, why not check out Sublime Point, or the Wodi Wodi track? The challenging terrain will get your blood pumping and those feel-good endorphins flowing, perfect for bonding!

Pick a beautiful Picnic Spot and unwind

*Gorgeous and tranquil, take your Love out into nature!*

We are truly spoiled for choice here in the Illawarra for perfect picnic places. Over a lifetime I think I’ve enjoyed them all – head over to my Top 10 Picnic Spot picks to get some inspiration. Now is the time to get your hands on a cute picnic basket (and maybe a bottle of bubbly?) and bring back the picnic date!

Our big favourite, for good reason, is the Wollongong Botanic Garden. Everywhere you look there is beauty, and you can’t beat it for tranquility. They’ve even introduced the “Go Slow For a Mo” Nature Wellness Trail — an interactive walk providing 7 different places along the way to try a short wellness exercise. What a lovely idea for a date that is nourishing, body and soul. Finish off with a beautiful picnic and take in the rest of the grounds.

For more ideas of romantic things to do in Wollongong, check out…

Beachside Dining in Wollongong with Ocean Views!

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We offer our gratitude and deep respect to the lands, waters and skies of Dharawal Country. We stand in solidarity with its traditional custodians, the Dharawal and Wodi Wodi people, whose sovereignty was never ceded.