The best romantic date night ideas in Melbourne

Enjoy sky-high views at Melbourne Skydeck, the tallest observation deck in the southern hemisphere. A General Admission ticket gets you a ride from the ground floor to the 88th floor in just 38 seconds, where you can treat your date to spectacular 360° views of the city. You can also buy delectable cocktails at the onsite Bar 88 to round out the night.

Get more bang for your buck with the Cocktails in the Clouds package, which includes general admission and two signature cocktails at Bar 88, plus entry to Voyager Theatre: the Skydeck's 6D VR voyage through iconic Melbourne moments.

If you're after something a little more thrilling, grab the Ultimate Skydeck package. After your Voyager Theatre experience, tackle The Edge: a huge, moving glass cube that transports you and your date three metres outside Melbourne Skydeck, leaving you suspended high above the streets below.

But for a really special date, treat yourselves to the Melbourne Skydeck Altitude Dining Experience. In addition to Melbourne Skydeck access and the Voyager Theatre experience, you'll enjoy a three-course choice menu at Eureka 89. This sky-high restaurant uses local, seasonal produce carefully crafted by award-winning Executive Chef, Renee Martillano.

Looking for someone else to bring on the entertainment? Melbourne is full of blockbuster shows, including the latest and greatest musicals and theatre shows touring Australia. You can even round out the night with a great meal at a restaurant nearby, giving you a chance to get dressed up for a night out on the town.

Combine dinner and a show at Witches in Britches, a live musical comedy show paired with a three-course meal. This is a cheeky supernatural-themed show for those with a wicked sense of humour. You can even end the night dancing in the Dungeon Disco post-show.

Tickle your funny bones with a night of laughter at the Comics Lounge, Melbourne’s longest-running comedy club. Some of Australia’s funniest comedy stars have graced the stage, including Dave Hughes and Kitty Flanagan. You can opt for the show only or the show plus a two-course meal before the main event.

More into magic? Ooh and ahh at the Marriott Hotel Melbourne Magic Show right in the middle of the CBD. This intimate, interactive experience treats you to a night of illusions, mind reading...and maybe even some real-life magic.

For some couples, the fun is in the journey – the road trip, the jigsaw, or working together to make their way out of an escape room. In these themed rooms (perhaps a murder mystery or a speakeasy with a secret), players collect clues, solve puzzles and unlock new rooms to try and escape within the time limit. It can be both a challenge and a bonding experience for couples. Luckily, Melbourne is rich in escape rooms, from the classic rooms of Escape Hunt Melbourne to the VR rooms with full cinematic experiences at Virtual Room Melbourne.

If you like your challenges shorter and snappier, try Hijinx Hotel instead, where you'll play through a series of short, interactive challenge rooms to accrue as many points as possible. Hijinx Hotel is located at Chadstone Shopping Centre as part of a fun new precinct called The Social Quarter. That means you can follow up your gaming spree with the Archie Bros. arcade, a round of mini golf at Holey Moley, or an alley at Strike Bowling.

Not all date nights need to involve getting suited up or amping up your adrenalin levels. Sometimes, the best way to connect with a partner is with a pamper session to have you both feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Consider a spa day with your loved one, at a hidden oasis such as One Spa in Melbourne's CBD. Select from a couples' massage, revitalising face and body treatments, or a package filled with your favourite combinations.

For a cultural activity with a hint of the highbrow, spend your date night at a museum or art gallery. The Melbourne Museum hosts monthly After Dark sessions exclusively for adults to explore the museum's science, history, culture, nature and art collections complete with food, drinks and themed talks. Plus, IMAX Melbourne is right next door.

If your date is an art lover, take them to NGV International for a wonderful collection of international art from Oceania, Asia, Europe and America. Find more Australian art from historical to present day at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Squre.

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) perfectly combines museum and art, celebrating the universe of film, TV, video games and art. Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image by emjoying interactive exhibits with your date.

All three of these museums/art galleries have free entry, along with ticketed exhibitions.

Like your date nights with a little more action? Consider date night at St Kilda’s Luna Park, where you can let out your inner thrillseeker together. Don't forget to take a photo together at the iconic giant mouth entrance before exploring the rollercoasters, thrill rides and carnival games. The park is open on weekends, school holidays and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day), but sometimes announces additional open hours.

If Luna Park isn't open, head over to B. Lucky & Sons arcade at Melbourne Central for a night filled with fun arcade games and flavour-filled cocktails and bar food. Hint: happy hour is from 4-6pm every Friday, and the venue is adults-only after 8pm every night.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is another great arcade option, with four locations across Melbourne. The two most popular are located at District Docklands (where you can also find glow-in-the-dark mini golf, paint and sip experiences, an ice skating rink, and more) and Chadstone's Social Quarter.

While it may not be reinventing the wheel, seeing the latest and greatest flicks on the big screen with your significant other can be a great way to relax and enjoy a shared experience at any time of the year. To add some excitement, why not try a new cinema experience at one of the best cinemas in Melbourne? You can also make date night extra special with a seat upgrade for a more luxurious experience.

RACV Members save on movie tickets

Climb aboard a moonlight kayak tour and paddle down the Yarra River at sunset for an intimate look at Melbourne city. You and your date will gently paddle downstream with the tour group, passing iconic locations like Flinders Street Station, Crown Casino and the Docklands precinct. You'll be served fish and chips in your kayak at the Yarra's Edge marina for a special on-water dining experience.

If you're busy at night, there's also a daylight kayak tour. This 1.5-hour guided tour starts and finishes at Boathouse Drive next to the Princes Bridge.

THE LUME Melbourne is the world's biggest digital art gallery, reaching four storeys high and spread over 3,000 square metres. This multisensory, walk-throughart space with rotating images has previously illuminated works by Claude Monet, and First Nations artists, while the current exhibition features the works of Van Gogh.

Admire the latest exhibition, book for dinner in THE LUME, or join a wellness class that blends yoga and pilates.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is Australia's premier orchestra. It plays customary classical music like Beethoven or Mozart along with collaborations with contemporary musicians like Nick Cave or Tina Arena, plus popular film scores from popular composers like John Williams.

If you're strapped for cash, catch a free MSO concert at their Sidney Myer Music Bowl series. Otherwise, RACV Members save on MSO tickets