Romantic Sydney

With its stunning location, great weather, world-class dining, those beaches and that harbour, Sydney offers endless opportunities for a romantic evening, getaway or treat. Whether you’re after fairy-tale romance or glamorous restaurants, you’ll find them in Sydney.

Relax on a secluded beach

Sydney is full of stunning secret beaches, perfect for a romantic picnic or relaxing swim. Milk Beach is one of the least known of the city’s harbour beaches. A picturesque small stretch of white sand, it sits in front of historic Strickland House in Vaucluse in the eastern suburbs.

Close to Manly, Collins Flat Beach has fantastic harbour views and its own waterfall, or you can hire kayaks in Manly and paddle to Store Beach, which is only accessible by boat. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Little Penguins that nest in the area.

See a movie at an open air cinema

As summer starts to roll around, so does Sydney’s outdoor cinema season, with plenty of options to enjoy a screening under the stars. You can watch special previews in comfy seats with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop at the Westpac Open Air Cinema.

Grab a picnic blanket and see cult favourites at Moonlight Cinemas in Centennial Park in the eastern suburbs or recline in a queen-sized bed and watch current releases at Mov’in Bed at the Entertainment Quarter, on the fringes of the CBD.

Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Parklands, Sydney

Peer into the night sky at the Sydney Observatory

Gaze up at the stars and explore the night sky alongside your partner during an evening visit to the Sydney Observatory in historic Millers Point. On an after-dark tour, learn more about the universe, discover ancient Indigenous astronomy and trace planets and galaxies through the observatory’s telescopes.

Picnic at The Royal Botanic Garden

Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden is the perfect spot for a romantic picnic for two, with views of the harbour and hundreds of trees offering shady spots to snuggle. Grab croissants and coffee in the city and head to the gardens for a leisurely breakfast (gates open at 7am), or stock up on wine, bread and cheese and indulge in a lazy lunch that goes well into the afternoon.

Couple enjoying the sunset from Observatory Hill, Millers Point

See a theatre production or musical

Experience world-class theatre and musicals in Sydney, where local and international acts perform in a multi-faceted year-round program. That could mean anything from a huge Broadway hit like Hamilton to a cutting-edge piece of Australian theatre at a tiny venue like Belvoir St.

If you can, try and catch at least one performance at the Sydney Opera House, principal venue of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Ballet and Opera Australia. For a truly romantic experience, see Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - an outdoor opera performance overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Couple enjoying an evening out at Sydney Opera House, Sydney City

Dine out with a million-dollar view

There’s nothing quite as romantic as enjoying a beautiful meal with an equally beautiful view. Sydney is the place for both. For big-occasion dining, it’s hard to go past Quay at Circular Quay or Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House, outposts of acclaimed chef Peter Gilmore.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has modern Italian classics and views over iconic Bondi Beach; fine dining Italian inspired Pilu at Freshwater overlooks Freshwater Beach, while The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay specialises in the freshest Australian seafood.