The best Valentine’s Day events in Sydney

There are advantages to heading to an alfresco cinema – chief among them, you have more room to spread out comfortably on a blanket, and more freedom to chat (or canoodle, or talk smack about Hollywood’s problematic depictions of romance) than the shushing you may encounter at a traditional indoor picture house. Sydney has some rather beautiful outdoor cinema locations, and they’re screening Valentine’s-appropriate movies on February 14. 

If you (or your cutie) don't do dairy (or even if you do and you just enjoy an aesthetic cakey masterpiece) you should consider tapping into Miss Sina's Valentine’s Day offering this year. On the day, they'll deliver gigantic donuts covered in flowers, an assortment of high-tea goods, huge heart-shaped cookies, a massively plump frosted buttercream cake, and a giant floral cinnamon scroll that will most probably blow your and your lover's socks off.

For the young folk, the poor folk and the folk who just like to run free, love in this economy can be tricky. To all you lovers out there whose weekly budget doesn't stretch to chartering a seaplane (or even just one exotic cocktail at any CBD bar), we hear you and we see you. That’s why we have put together an ultimate list of the coolest cheap and totally free dates available to lovers in Sydney. Each of these options is guaranteed to set you back either nothing or next to nothing. So grab your current cutie, leave your hundred-dolla bills at home and hit the road. Free love, folks, is where it's at. 

What's more romantic than seclusion? We've put together a list of the best glamping spots across and near Sydney that you and your cutie can hit up this Valentine's Day. Expect a star-gazing bubbletent and outdoor bubblebaths. 

Whether you buy into the Valentine's Day hubub or not, getting dolled up and going out for a nice meal is pretty much a universal pleasure, especially when restaurants go all out on the special occasion bells and whistles. We've rounded up the restaurants going the extra mile on February 14 this year, so if you're looking to impress or simply down for an epic feed, here's where to head. 

What's more romantic that staring into eachother's eyes? Staring at the stars together, probably. Grab your cutie and head out on a totally free trip to one of Sydney's best stargazing spots this Valentine's Day. 

Diamonds may be forever but brownies are... well, brownies are brownies, need we say more? And if there's one thing better than a brownie, it's Bigg and Thicc's' giant ooey-gooey brownie monsters. You can get that big hunk of a sweet treat in the shape of a love heart, complete with Valentine’s-ready Ferrero Rochers and Tim Tams over the top. Other options include some pretty impressive cookie boxes for more oozy goodness. It's tasteful, it's elegant, and it's the most delicious way to say 'I love you'.

Look, we get it. Serenading your loved one is one of the oldest and grandest of gestures but if you weren't gifted by the music gods, or forced to stick out music lessons as a kid, your performance might end up a little less melodious and a little more cat-in-a-blender-esque. Leave the work to string quartet Phoenix Collective who will play a collection of timeless love songs from soundtracks like Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge! in the warm glow of thousands of candle lights. Tickets are selling real fast so snag yours here. 

While the most important part of a romantic date night is, of course, the company you keep, a candlelit dinner and a cosy spot to play footsies certainly add a little something to the vibe of the night. The great news is, Sydney is absolutely awash with intimate eateries and sexy cocktail bars to set the mood just right.

Perfect technique or pure talent isn’t high on the agenda in this wave of art classes colouring the city streets right now. The relaxed painting sessions encourage patrons to fight artistic self-doubt with liquid courage, so nervous artists can have a less inhibited crack at painting.

Let us set the scene. In the sky, you spot a pod of 20 dolphins frolicking around Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Your pilot Tim tilts the plane so you can get the best photos possible as you cruise back to the inner harbour at 1,000 feet. And as you think it couldn’t get better, you circle the fortress island of Fort Denison for the finale: Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the Botanic Gardens. While it all sounds so romantic, these small seaplanes are large enough to host your whole girl group for the ultimate Galantines Day.

What could be more romantic than a hamper packed for two coupled with sweeping harbour views? Where else could you organise a long, lazy lunch for a group of friends? Or an impromptu dinner date, al fresco? We've rounded up Sydney's top picnic spots – and don't worry, we've done the research on whether there’s parking, toilets and barbecues available. 

Finding the weather tricky to plan around? Whether it's sweltering outside or drizzling relentlessly, Sydney's art galleries are climate-controlled creative coves where you can wander around, feel cultured, and get a dialogue going around the fabulous discoveries you make. Just check our guide to the coolest exhibitions on the go this month. 

If Patrick Swayze's turn in the timeless 1990 movie Ghost taught us anything, it's that pottery is the ultimate romantic medium. The lubrication of a glass of wine (or your favourite tipple) to ease your creative flow doesn't hurt either. Grab a mate or a date and get down to Clay Sydney's Enmore studio for one of their beginner-friendly, BYO-bevvie, clay-building classes.

Nobody ever said first dates are easy. Our advice? Pick a place where vibe is king and ace cocktails, first-rate snacks and excellent service are all talking points, too. Why not factor in great views, drag shows or standout locations while you're at it?

We’ve rounded up some of the best tiny house escapes across New South Wales that you can knock over in a weekend getaway from Sydney. Most are perfect for a romantic escape for two adults or are the ideal retreat for solo travelers looking for the ultimate me-time. Others have a little more room so you can vaycay with friends, the kids and even the dog.