26 Brisbane Date Ideas Under $50 That Aren't Just Dinner And A Movie

More dates than a season of The Bachelor – just with less Osher.

1. Enjoy a picnic by the river.

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Throw down a blanket and pull out a cheese platter with plenty of hummus to really impress your date without breaking the bank. There are heaps of places in Brisbane to admire its river, but Kangaroo Point provides a vantage point that's pretty hard to beat.

Price: Depends on your taste.

2. Admire the art at GOMA.

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Is there anything more romantic than wandering through a gallery while your date admires the sheer beauty of the art – aka you? With its multiple levels, on-site cafe and location in the heart of the city, add Queensland's Gallery of Modern Art to your date ideas list ASAP.

Price: Free!

3. Scale the walls at Urban Climb.

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If you're the sporty type, get your lycra on and head to Urban Climb. With locations at West End, Newstead and Milton, and the ability to do either rock climbing or bouldering (that's without ropes or a harness), it's a great way to work on your core strength AND relationships.

Price: $20 per person.

4. Spend a day in a home that's not yours (yet) at Ikea.

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Have your 500 Days of Summer moment and meander through the house displays in Ikea that your smashed avocado brunches are preventing you from affording. With locations in Logan and North Lakes, make a day of it, enjoy their Swedish meatballs and pick up a flat pack table you CANNOT BELIEVE is only $8.

Price: Depends how much you like meatballs.

5. Glide along the river on the CityHopper.

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While the Brisbane City Cats are already affordable and provide a cute way to see the sights, the CityHopper is actually FREE. Yep, every 30 minutes the CityHopper will pull up and take you along the river from South Bank to New Farm and all the stops in between.

Price: Free!

6. Hike up to Mount Coot-tha.

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If you're looking for a hiking path in Brisbane where you won't break TOO much of a sweat, make a beeline to Mount Coot-tha. The two kilometre trek is perfect for all fitness levels and even your four-legged third wheel.

Price: Free!

7. Watch the sunset at the Mt Coot-tha Lookout.

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If exercise isn’t your thing and you’re just here for the ~vibes~, the Mount Coot-tha Lookout is perfect. You can drive to the top and set up a picnic while you watch the sun set over all of Brisbane.

Price: Free!

8. Reach for the stars at the Planetarium.

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I'm not trying to plan your entire day for you, but since you're already at Mount Coot-tha, check out the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Gaze up at the stars with their recently upgraded 12.5-metre-diameter Cosmic Skydome. Take note of their opening times as they shut early on Sundays.

Price: $16.10 per person.

9. Eat to your heart's content at Eat Street Northshore.

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Eat Street Northshore has reached icon status – and for good reason. With its live music, fairy lights and sprawling array of shipping containers cooking up more cuisines than you can count, it's got date night written all over it. Plus there's an Insta-worthy moment at every turn.

Price: $3 admission fee but food and drinks are easily under $50.

10. Perfect your putt at Holey Moley Golf Club.

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What do you get when you mix putt putt, cocktails and a church together? Holey Moley Mini Golf Club and Cocktail Bar, of course. With its neon signs, groovy vibe and pop culture themed courses (featuring the Game of Thrones iron throne and The Simpson's living room!), you'll find yourself getting into the ~romantic~ swing of things in no time.

Price: $19 per person for nine holes and there's nothing over $20 at their CaddyShack Bar.

11. Have a laugh at the Powerhouse Comedy Club.

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If you spend your Sunday worrying about the Monday ahead (relatable), stop that right now and head to the Brisbane Powerhouse. Every Sunday at 5pm is an hour of free comedy! So even if your date doesn't work out, at least you kicked off your week with some belly laughs.

Price: Free!

12. Rack up a killer score at Strike Wintergarden.

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If you're keen for some friendly competition and a whole lot of fun, head to Strike. Located in the Wintergarden in Queen St Mall, it's an entertainment mecca featuring 12 bowling lanes, a laser tag arena, pool tables and three different escape rooms. Just make sure to book your spot!

Price: $19 per person for bowling, $14 per person for laser tag and $39 per person for escape rooms.

13. Travel back in time and get your nostalgia hit at Netherworld.

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If you're more into the old school games, throw it way back at Netherworld. From pinball to arcade games, consoles and over 100 board games, this bar and diner features ALL the '70s and '80s classics. Hot tip: Score some extra game tokens at the bar during 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Price: $1 to play each machine but consoles and board games are FREE!

14. Indulge your sweet tooth at The Pancake Manor.

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Whether you want savoury crêpes for breakfast, a stack of chocolate pancakes for dessert or just want to spontaneously go somewhere with your significant other at 2 a.m., The Pancake Manor has your back. Open 24 hours a day, every day, you can indulge anytime in this old cathedral turned pancake heaven. God bless.

Price: No pancake dish is over $17.

15. Stock up at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets.

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Spend your Sunday morning browsing the produce at the Jan Powers Farmers Markets at the Brisbane Powerhouse. With coffee, fresh bread, local fruit and veggies and an array of superfoods, pasta and cheeses available, it's best to bring a basket to carry all your goods in.

Price: As little or as much as you want.

16. Scoot through the city on an e-scooter.

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One of the best ways to take in the sights of Brisbane is to hop on an electric scooter. Download the app, clip on your helmet and glide seamlessly from one date activity to the next.

Price: Both Lime and Neuron Mobility scooters cost the same, so $1 to unlock a scooter, then 30c per minute, making a 30 minute scenic scoot around town $10.

17. Spend your weekend mornings brunching.

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Brisbane's got a booming brunch scene, so while you have your favourite spots, make a list of the places you've been meaning to try for AGES. From Ferrero Rocher waffles to blooming eggs benedict, there's so much this city has to offer.

Price: Pictured above is Miss Bliss Cafe in West End, where none of their mains are over $25.

18. Soar to new heights on the Wheel of Brisbane.

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Take date night to the next level with a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane. Sure, it's a touch touristy but perfect if you've been binging The Bachelor and want something a little more on the extra side.

Price: $20.90 for adults and $17.90 for students. Add a Sky High Picnic Box for $9, featuring a selection of cheese and crackers.

19. Enjoy some fish and chips by the beach...in the city.

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You read that right. How many cities in Australia have a lagoon in the middle of the CBD? Grab some fish and chips from one of the restaurants nearby and head to Streets Beach in South Bank to enjoy a summery afternoon without leaving town.

Price: Fish and chips definitely under $50.

20. Lace up your skates at Iceworld.

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When you think of Brisbane you don't TYPICALLY think of ice skating, which is exactly why you should get down to Iceworld at Boondall or Acacia Ridge. Impress your date with your moves, or take advantage of all the chances to hold hands or fall into their arms.

Price: $20 per person.

21. Cuddle up to koalas and other Australian animals at Lone Pine.

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Get up close to nature at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Contrary to its name, this place has heaps more native Australian animals to admire, including kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, snakes, cockatoos and platypuses.

Price: $37.80 for adults and $22.50 for students.

22. Pack your swimmers for a beach day on Bribie Island.

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As the only island in Queensland connected to the mainland by bridge, Bribie Island is the perfect way to escape the city. It’s only an hour from Brisbane, so enjoy a romantic day by the beach with its calm waters, soft sand and dog friendly locations.

Price: Free!

23. Pull up to the Yatala Drive In Theatre.

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Chuck your cosy blankets, pillows and plenty of snacks into the boot and head to the Yatala Drive In Theatre for some '50s style entertainment. Not only do they show all the latest films, but they also regularly screen classics like Grease and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's a tiny bit out of Brisbane, but well worth it.

Price: $15 per person.

24. Crack open a cold one during the XXXX Brewery Tour.

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If you both love your beer, check out the XXXX Brewery tours. In 90 minutes you'll learn about the iconic drop's 135 year history, its world class brewing methods and how to pour the perfect pint. And of course it's all tied up with a beer tasting at the end.

Price: $32 per person.

25. Escape to a hidden bar.

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If you're after a date night experience WAY off the beaten track, seek out some of Brisbane's coolest hidden bars. Whether they're underground, accessed through a wardrobe or require a secret code to enter, there are heaps of hidden gems worth discovering, like The Walrus Club located under The Regatta Hotel.

Price: Drinks and nibbles under $50.

26. And finally, explore the Botanic Gardens.

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The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens are pretty damn spectacular, especially at night when some of the trees light up to create this kind of spectacle. This heritage listed parkland in the heart of the city is the perfect place to take a romantic stroll with your significant other.

Price: Free!