Jordan McCraeLet’s face it, going over the same kinds of dates can be boring, especially if you and your partner have been together for a lot of years. Although there’s nothing wrong with the movie-dinner routine, it’s nice to spice it up every once in a while—and that’s where we come in!
Allow us to help you with your next romantic getaway by checking out these amazing date ideas in Auckland. Whether you’re an adventurous type of couple or you’d rather spend a chill day, our compilation has something that will pique your interest here!
Take your relationship to new heights in the Sky Tower
Website: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/sky-tower/
Address: Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 363 6000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
If you haven’t climbed Sky Tower yet—first of all, why? Second, now’s the best time to do so with your partner!
This massive tower may seem like the worst nightmare for people who fear heights, but it’s actually one of the most romantic places in the city. For starters, it gives you some of the most picturesque views to see with your loved one—don’t forget to snap a cute pic!
Furthermore, it offers exciting activities that are far different from your usual movie dates like the SkySlide, SkyJump and SkyWalk. Then, after you’ve exhausted yourselves from these activities, you can enjoy a nice dinner in the tower’s restaurant while being surrounded by stunning views.
Pro tip:
We highly recommend booking your tickets online, as the rates will be significantly lower compared to walk-ins. Also, be sure to purchase tickets days or even weeks in advance to lock in your slots!
Score Hole in Ones in Holey Moley
Website: https://www.holeymoley.co.nz/locations/auckland
Address: 204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 801 5592
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If your idea of a fun date night involves some friendly competition, then Holey Moley should be on your itinerary. This mini-golf spot turns the otherwise slow sport into something more fun and exciting—sorry golf fans.
Forget green pastures, neon-lit obstacle courses are where the fun is! Here, you don’t have to be super technical with your swing, but you do have to strategically aim, as the courses here come with various twists and turns.
If you want to add even more excitement to your game of mini-golf, you can add stakes to the table. For instance, the loser has to buy dinner—win-win, right?
Pro tip:
If golfing isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry! There are also some arcade machines you can try with your date that are equally fun and exciting—plus, these neon-lit machines make for a great backdrop for your photos!
Laugh your hearts out at Caluzzi Cabaret
Website: https://www.caluzzi.co.nz
Address: 461 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 357 0778
Operating hours: Friday and Saturday: 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Going to Caluzzi Cabaret is one of the best ways to spend your Friday night. This is because this bar hosts one of the most legendary drag queens shows in Auckland or the entire country for that matter.
It’s not surprising to see its success too, as it was founded by past winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Anita Wiglet and Kita Mean.
Spending your Friday/Saturday night here means a whole evening of laughter, awe-inspiring performances, delicious cocktails and amazing meals. So if you’re looking to tick one or all of these characteristics for your date night, this is the place to be!
Pro tip:
If you want to save money on your date, we recommend going on Friday. The entrance fee for this day is significantly cheaper compared to the ones offered on Saturdays.
Feast on street foods at one of Food Truck Colletctive’s events
Website: https://foodtruckcollective.co.nz
Address: Check website for updated events
Contact details: [email protected]
When it comes to romantic dates, you can never go wrong with eating delicious food together. If you’re bored of the usual restaurants, however, and you just want to pig out with your date, then you should wait for one of Food Truck Collective’s much-anticipated events!
Dubbed as the home of Auckland Street Food, this selection of food trucks offers just about every childhood treat you’ve had in the city. From different-flavoured ice cream to jaw-breaking burgers, all-day breakfast items and more, the dishes served here will leave you salivating!
Lastly, what makes this such a great date idea is the camaraderie among the vendors. It gives off a sense of community that will leave you with a good vibe even after you’ve pigged out on your favourite street food.
Pro tip:
If you have a special event coming up and you can’t find a worthy catering service for it, you can inquire about Food Truck Collective’s booking fee via their website or email.
Play your favourite board games at Cakes n Ladders
Website: https://cakesnladders.co.nz
Address: 173 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 21 216 5514
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cakes n Ladders is a great spot for those couples who prefer a more laid-back kind of date. It’s a cosy little cafe that not only offers a wide selection of coffee drinks but a myriad of fun board games as well!
We can’t even stress how impressive their collection of board games is! They have your all-time classics like Uno and Jenga as well as unique ones like The Mandalorian, Orleans, Stella and so much more.
Meanwhile, if you’re not too keen on drinking coffee, you can opt for one of their delicious smoothies. Regardless of which drink you order, you have to pair it with one of their amazing sandwiches!
Pro tip:
If you’re a vegan and nothing on their menu is appetising to you, we recommend heading next door to the Gorilla Kitchen. They offer amazing plant-based dishes and the best part is that they won’t cost you a fortune!
Silo Marina
— Media credit: taliarit
Website: https://www.silomarina.co.nz
Address: Jellicoe Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 355 7479
Silo Marina is the place to be if you’re looking to admire magnificent yachts along with equally magnificent views of the sunset. The best part is that you don’t even have to own these yachts, as you can easily walk along the marina’s piers to admire Auckland’s waters.
One of the best things about admiring the sunset here is that the rays would sometimes pass between the different masts of the yachts. Of course, there’s also the benefit of seeing the golden ray of the sun be reflected on the glistening waters.
And while you’re here, make sure to stop by the iconic structure called “The Big Wheel” found just at the end of the Marina and get some Insta-worthy shots!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for an environment that’s more green as opposed to the boat-filled water of the marina, you can make your way to the Silo Park. It’s a stone’s throw away from the marina and it’s also a great spot to admire the sunset from.
Chuck axes at Sweet Axe Throwing Co.
Website: https://www.sweetaxethrow.com
Address: 5 Galatos Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 21 853 566
If you want to blow off some steam, whether it be from your relationship or not (we’re not judging), chucking axes at Sweet Axe Throwing Co. will do the trick! Here, you can hail hatchets into logs for the sake of competition or plain dumb fun—or both!
It’s a great way to release stress as well, as it combines both fun and adrenaline. Think about it: How many times can you do these kinds of things to release stress in a safe environment?
If you don’t know one thing about throwing axes, don’t worry! They’ll offer some formal training before letting you chuck one of these things with reckless abandon.
Pro tip:
If you and your partner are expecting to have a child anytime soon, we recommend choosing this place for your gender reveal party! It would make for a great family and friends gathering as well as a memorable video that you can rewatch over and over.
Sip on personalised cocktails at the Caretaker
Website: https://www.caretaker.net.nz
Address: Downstairs, 40 Customs Street, Britomart Place, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM
A great way to cap off your date night is by conversing with each other over some nice cocktails. For this need, we recommend checking out The Caretaker, a unique bar that serves each guest a unique drink based on their answers to a bunch of questions—pretty cool, right?
We don’t know how they come up with drinks based on these questions, but it’s quite impressive to see how the bartenders can whip up something in a snap.
Gimmicks aside, this hole-in-the-wall pub is still a solid date spot for anyone looking to experience fun nightlife in Auckland. This is because of its cool and cosy atmosphere and overall chill vibe—perfect for late-night conversations!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to add some more romance into the mix, we recommend going out to the harbour to catch some stunning views of the sunset before heading inside the bar.
Go bowling at Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co.
Website: https://drrudis.co.nz
Address: Level 2/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 942 4666
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you want to engage in some friendly competition with your date, then Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co. is the best place for you! Not only is this one of the liveliest rooftop bars in all of Auckland, but it also houses some bowling lanes for that added fun and excitement!
You can even raise the stakes and have the loser buy all the drinks for the night! Then, you can spend the rest of the night enjoying beautiful views of the Auckland skyline while dancing the night away.
Pro tip:
Before partying all night, we recommend stopping by the New Zealand Maritime Museum so you can learn a thing or two about the country’s maritime history.
Set up a lovely picnic at Cornwall Park
— Media credit: jodicomber
Website: https://cornwallpark.co.nz
Address: Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 630 8485
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Setting up a picnic is a classic date idea that never gets old, but one thing that makes this activity special is where you set it up. In this case, you’re in good hands, as Cornwall Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the city.
Here, you can lie down in the grass and enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Auckland skyline, the harbour and of course, the lush greenery of the park. Doesn’t this kind of setting make for perfect romantic dates?
Pro tip:
If you want to add more experience to your date, make sure to check the park’s website before visiting to see all their upcoming events.
