10 Romantic Date Ideas along the Coral Coast

Whether it’s your first date or anniversary celebration, the Coral Coast has grown in the capacity to offer truly unique experiences.

Romantic moments are priceless and that’s why we have rounded up some inspiration for you to set that first spark or keep that once created spark alive – and the best thing? We have listed date ideas that can be had at the numerous, if not all locations listed.

So whether you’re an outdoors, adventure-type, the food connoisseur or the cheesy romantic, we’ve got you covered.

Picnic at a National Park

Show your romantic side by laying out the perfect picnic throw, fluffing up those picnic pillows and impressing your significant other with a delicious grazing board and a bottle a wine at a National Park along the Coral Coast.

Whether your vibe is to picnic in an other-worldly, some would say mars-like environment at the Pinnacles or overlooking the sunset at Charles Knife Canyon the Coral Coast really does have a best variety of national parks to make for the perfect picnic spot.

For landscape lovers, the reef to range views are jaw-dropping in Exmouth’s Cape Range National Park at Charles Knife Canyon and Shot Hole Canyon. You can even have the best of both worlds at Kalbarri National Park, picnicking on the Coastal Cliffs of Kalbarri, or watching the Murchison River Gorge at Hawk's Head or Ross Graham Lookout.

Entry fees apply to many of the National parks and Reserves in the Coral Coast. Park e-Passes can be bought online here, and passes are also available from a range of outlets including entry stations to National Parks, Parks and Wildlife offices and selected visitor centres.

Please remember to be clean and tidy, carry all of your rubbish with you when leaving the park and to protect native plants and animals. Stay well away from the cliff’s edges. Pets are not permitted into national parks.

Stargazing

Stargazing is as romantic as dates get. Picture yourself snuggled up, all cozy, taking in the wonders of the Coral Coasts milky way skies. If you’re both new to stargazing, you can use fantastic astronomy apps such as Star Walk ™, which uses your device to educate you on the whereabouts of different stars, constellations, and planets in real time.

South, we have Lake Thetis just 1km from Cervantes, the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, Macpherson Homestead and Lakes Lookout in Carnamah, Touche Road Lakes and Coorow Farm in Coorow, Yandoonka Springs and Depot Hill in Mingenew, Koolanooka Springs and Morawa Windmill in Morawa, Flat Rocks road in Greenough, and Meanarra Hill and Natures Window in Kalbarri National Park.

North’s favourite stargazing spots include Cape Range National Park and Sal Salis in Exmouth, Denham and Monkey Mia beaches in Shark Bay, and Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.

You can even go on a stargazing tour with Astro Star Tours!

Tip: Stargazing is best on a New Moon with little moonlight in the night sky. Lookout out for still water ways and lakes to reflect the stars making for amazing astrophotography.

Date at an aquarium

Aquariums aren’t just for primary school excursions; they’re a great place to go on a date. Not only is there so much to see and do, there’s an ever lapse in conversation to be made! Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and natural environment of the Coral Coast and be “wow’d” by the displays of marine and terrestrial animals – especially in aquariums that are located amongst the UNSECO World Heritage listed Shark Bay and Ningaloo (!!).

Ocean Park Aquarium in Shark Bay and Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre in Exmouth are sure to make your date at the aquarium an interesting one!

Eat local at a restaurant

We can agree that choosing a restaurant for a date is crucial! What better way than to eat local?

Indulge in some of the best local seafood along the Coral Coast. Eating local tastes better, fresher and healthier! Not only are you helping boost the economy and reduce pollution by eating local, you are tasting only the finest delicacies of the Coral Coast.

Create that memorable dining experience with premium selections of seafood, and impress your significant other with a date to the Lobster Shack in Cervantes, Mantarays in Exmouth, Whalers Restaurant in Exmouth or Finlay’s in Kalbarri.

“Fruit Loop” drive trail

Foodies, you’re going to love this!

For a great foodie date, take the scenic North and South River Roads, known as the “Fruit Loop” drive trail. The drive will take you past local produce stores and working plantations;some of which run roadside stalls or shop fronts where you can purchase a wide range of preserves, dried fruits and ice-creams made fresh from seasonal fruit and vegetables.

The 26km long drive trail includes 9 locations: Tipton's Plantation Roadside Shop; Cosh Plantation Roadside Shop; Morel's Orchard; Gascoyne Biodynamic Plantation; Gascoyne Organic Farm; Pickles Point Seafood + Boatyard; Carnarvon Tackle + Marine; Bumbak's Plantation; and the Gascoyne Growers Markets. For more information and a trail map click here.

Sunset Sail

Take the romance to the next level and impress your date with an exclusive sunset sail in the late afternoon glow of the Ningaloo Coast.

Setting sail, you can enjoy the magical colours of the Ningaloo Coast together. Depending on natures calendar, you will be able to encounter the mesmerising marine life of the Coral Coast. Watch humpback whales (in season), dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, marine turtles, giant cod, reef sharks and much more!

Watch the sun go down and “cheers” your champagne glasses to a wonderful night.

If you’re in the Ningaloo region, check out Cruise Ningaloo, Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo, Ningaloo Coral Bay Boats, Ningaloo Ecology Cruises, Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel, Ocean Eco Adventures or Coral Bay Eco Tours for amazing sunset sails.

In the Shark Bay region? Shark Bay Dive & Marine Safaris, Monkey Mia Wildsights or Perfect Nature Cruises are great choices for that romantic sunset adventure.

Day at the beach

Surprise your partner with some romantic summer fun with a date at the beach!

The Coral Coast, known for its pristine waters, has made this one easy for you. We have even listed our top 10 beaches here. With a number of spectacular beaches to choose from, there is a perfect beach for all date types whether you’re looking for an exciting day of water sports or a relaxing afternoon catching the sunset, we’ve got you covered.

For some fun in the sun head to Turquoise Bay or Osprey Bay in Exmouth, Paradise Beach or Bill’s Bay in Coral Bay, Blue Holes or Lucky Bay in Kalbarri or Sandy Cape north of Jurien Bay. These places are great for swimming, snorkelling, SUPing, kayaking and canoeing. Beach equipment can be hired with the following companies including Exmouth Adventure Co, Ningaloo Kayak Adventures, Exmouth Boat and Kayak Hire, Kalbarri Boat Hire and Canoe Safari, and Jurien Bay Adventure Tours.

For the more relaxed, check out Shell Beach in Shark Bay, Monkey Mia Beach, Little Lagoon in Denham, Horrocks Beach, Chinaman’s Beach and Pot Alley Beach in Kalbarri or South Beach in Dongara-Port Dension.

Be mindful of the seasons, time of day you visit and tides when planning your date at the beach and make sure you SLIP, SLOP, SLAP. Stay hydrated at all times.