15 Best Ways To Celebrate Valentine's Day In Australia 2024

Valentine's Day is a holiday cherished by lovers from all over the world, and it is no different in Australia. This celebration of romance and love has become popular across the country over the years, with Australians marking the occasion in many joyful ways. In this blog, we'll break down exactly when the holiday falls in 2024, as well as some of the unique Australian ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. From buying gifts, flowers and chocolates to taking trips with your loved one, there is just so much to do! Take a look at how to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia with the one your heart belongs to.

When is Valentine’s Day in Australia?

Valentine's Day in Australia always falls on February 14th, no matter where you are in the world. So, in 2024, Australians will celebrate the romantic holiday on Wednesday, February 14th. Leading up to Valentine's Day for about a week, you'll start to see red hearts, chocolate boxes and flower arrangements popping up across stores and restaurants. The actual day tends to involve couples exchanging gifts and cards and enjoying intimate dinners or dates. But you'll see people celebrating their friendships on Valentine's Day here, too - it's ultimately an opportunity to tell special people in your life how much you care.

How does Australia celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Australians celebrate Valentine's Day in vibrant, creative ways that match the country's casual, outdoor-loving mentality. From barbecue lunches on the beach to lamington exchanges to traditional Australian food, Valentine's Day in Australia offers no shortage of options. Locals often take advantage of the usually sunny, summery weather in February to have picnics, go to the beach, head to lively outdoor festivals, and more. Heart-shaped lamingtons are a quintessential Aussie Valentine's treat. Big cities like Sydney and Melbourne host elaborate Valentine's events, concerts, restaurant specials and hotel packages as well - there are lots of exciting ways to spend the Day! The Day balances commercial hype with genuine romance perfectly for Australians. With quirky, laidback Australian flair, Valentine's Day in Australia has developed its own sweet, sunny style.

Popular Date Ideas to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia

Australia has been celebrating Valentine's Day for quite some time now. People celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia with utmost love and enthusiasm. Well, not just this; people have different ways of celebrating Valentine's Day in Australia, which we have listed below. You can pick any of these Valentine's Day ideas and make your Valentine special for you and your loved ones. 

1. Candlelight Dinner Date at Africola

What could be more intimate and fulfilling than a great meal at a fancy restaurant, where you can dress up as extra as you want? Having a soft, warm glow from the candle while enjoying some good food is all anyone can wish for this Valentine's Day in Australia. There are some amazing restaurants you can visit to spend Valentine's Day in Australia with your better half. Africola is one of the best restaurants in Australia; located in Adelaide, it has an impressive selection of local and international wine along with great food and amazing three-ingredient cocktails.

2. Scenic Drive and a Nature Walk at the Blue Mountains

You don't need to have a destination to enjoy the ride. Spending quality time together is the only thing that matters, and what better way to do so than going for a scenic drive? You can also stop along the way, be a little adventurous and find some nature trails that may lead you to the most beautiful of places. The Blue Mountains are a perfect place to visit with their ancient rocks and beautiful waterfalls. The majestic cliffs and canyons covered in eucalyptus will leave you breathless. This is becoming one of the most popular ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia.

3. Touch the Sky at the Sydney Harbour Bridge

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia than from on top of the rest of the city? A climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, especially at sunset, just spells out romance. This is an experience that you and your lover will cherish forever, and you can also capture this precious memory with the perfect sunset Sydney Harbour Bridge picture.

4. Picnic at King's Park and Botanical Garden

Having an intimate, quiet, and fun picnic in a park is one of the most cute ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia. Having so many parks, botanic gardens, and hidden nature spots, it's no surprise that picnics on bright sunny days are quite popular. Valentine's Day picnics are special, with your favourite cupcakes and fruits, wine, and savoury treats and pillows to make you comfortable. King's Park is one of the world's biggest inner city parks, with over 3000 species of the state's flora. The beautiful views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, along with the city skyline and Darling ranges, will help you make a memory you won't forget.

5. Relive your Sweet Date Memories

We're sure that all of us have gone on plenty of dates with our partner, from all-out fancy ones to the most mundane stay-at-home dates, but there's always one date that holds a special place in our hearts. Recreating that special date on Valentine's Day in Australia is something everyone should try out. Bring back pleasant memories from the past, and recreating them always leaves you feeling special and appreciating them more.

6. Snuggle Up for Rom-Coms Galore

Some of us prefer staying in on this romantic Day instead of going out, and it is a better option, zero denial! Getting cosy in the warm blankets, making some buttery popcorn, and grabbing some chilled cola sounds heavenly. Watching movies is something you can do any day of the year, and so to make it special, you can binge some of your favourite rom-coms of all time. You can pick one and let your partner pick the other and cuddle up on the sofa. I don't know how other people celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia, but we are surely going to be home watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

7. Stargazing Under the Stars at Warrumbungle National Park

Watching the stars under the open sky is something that anyone would die for. You don't need a telescope to enjoy the view; just lay down a blanket, get under another one, and cosy up watching the beautiful stars and the constellations above. Warrumbungle National Park is one of the best places to stargaze as it is Australia's first dark sky park. Here, there are crystal clear skies, which is every astronomer and stargazer's dream. You can also have your little candlelight dinner under the stars. If it's too cold or it's a cloudy night, you can always visit a nearby planetarium and watch that night sky instead. As long as your partner is with you on this Valentine's Day in Australia, nothing else matters.

8. A Romantic Cruise in the Sydney Harbour

A romantic crusade on the water away from the noise of the city is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia. There are plenty of cruises, especially in Sydney, that you could go to. Perfect soft lighting with a cool breeze and 360-degree water views is all you need. Sip champagne and enjoy the perfect night watching the Sydney Opera House from a distance. The cruises usually have amazing food, premium wines, and late-night cocktails to keep you satisfied. Dancing to live music also adds something special to the night. The Iconic Harbour Cruise, Deluxe Sunset Cruise and Sydney by Night cruises are some worth trying.

9. Pamper Yourself with a Spa

Having a nice, relaxed day with your partner at a spa is welcome after a long week. Getting an amazing nutritious facial, taking a nice long steam in the steam room or the sauna, and getting relaxing deep tissue massages all sound very heavenly, and they are! Be sure to book something relaxing, calm, and romantic, and many spas offer Valentine's Day special packages. If the spa gets too expensive, take a long bubble bath at home, put on a facemask, and watch a movie in your comfiest PJs. Treat yourself to some of the best spas in Australia, like Qualia, Chi Spa, and Injidup Spa Retreat this Valentine's Day in Australia.

10. Picking Out Gifts

Getting gifts and chocolates for your lover is very common when celebrating Valentine's Day in Australia. But to make it even more special, you and your partner can go to your favourite store together! Fix a specific budget, set a time limit, and get some surprise gifts that you think the other might like. This will be thoughtful but also equal, so you won't have to worry about getting something too big or too small. So, now pick our Valentine's Day gifts and surprise your partner with them.

11. Cook Your Partner’s Favourite Meal

The way to your lover's heart is definitely through their stomach! Cooking for each other is probably the nicest thing you can do this Valentine's Day in Australia. Make your partner's favourite meal at home while they make your favourite dessert. A lot of couples like to cook for each other to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia, and you should, too. Just be careful not to burn anything and remember this is not a competition, it's to make the Day special for each other. If you have trouble cooking, you can also take an online cooking class and make this dinner date less traditional.

12. Escape Together to a New Destination

Vacations are always the perfect Valentine's Day gift, but during COVID, no one could go anywhere. Now that travelling and going on vacations is back and better than ever before make sure to book the perfect getaway for this Valentine's Day in Australia. You can take a staycation in your city if you don't have the time to go away for longer and book a nice hotel where you can get the same feeling of a vacation without actually going on one. You can also read our blog on tips for travelling on a budget.

13. Agree to Your Partner's Requests for 24 Hours

This is one of the most fun and intriguing gifts you can give your partner this Valentine's Day in Australia. For the 24 hours of Valentine's Day in Australia, you have to say yes to anything they ask you to do or get for you. So this year, your valentine could ask you for a bouquet of roses, to have ice cream for dinner or even a vacation, and whatever it is, you have to say yes!

14. Soak up the Sun and Surf at Whitehaven Beach

Going to the beach for a tan and a swim is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia this year. With the warm sand under your feet, hot sun on your face, and a cool drink in your hand, spending the Day at the beach with your lover is one of the most relaxing and romantic things to do on Valentine's Day. Whitehaven Beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, with pristine water and a long stretched coastline along the great barrier reef. With plenty of beautiful Australian beaches and perfect weather, don't forget to take a nice cool dip in the ocean and, of course, lots and lots of sunscreen! We have curated a whole list of the best beaches in Australia.

15. Sing Your Heart Out

Although intimidating for some people, Karaoke is the best way to open up and bond with your partner. Stepping out of your comfort zone and showing them the real you, even if the real you can't really sing, is very intimate and romantic. Sing some throwbacks or get romantic with the romance playlist, and sing your heart out this Valentine's Day in Australia.

From Sydney to Melbourne and beyond, cities across Australia offer abundant Valentine's Day ideas and activities for couples to enjoy. With such diverse Valentine's Day ideas, there is something for every couple, regardless of age, interests or preferences, to make this Valentine's Day in Australia more special. Be sure to check our blogs for additional coverage on the top things to do in Sydney, things to do in Melbourne and other popular destinations. 

We encourage our readers to take advantage of this list and try out new ideas for Valentine's Day in Australia. The city also hosts many exciting Australian cultural festivals year-round that also make for fantastic romantic outings. In the end, we wish all our readers (especially Australians) a very happy Valentine's Day!