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1 February 2023 By: Ysabel Tang
Goodbye couch date, hello car date. Four wheels are all you need to up your dating game.
Beyond a nice dinner, dating in Perth can sometimes feel like one novelty activity after the other. They’re fun, but there are only so many malformed mugs you can make.
Before you settle for pizza and a movie marathon, why not try a car date instead?
Car dates are classic. They’re a great way to get out of the house, avoid the crowds, and spend some quality time together in your personal kissing booth on wheels.
Ready to rev up the romance? Grab your SO and hop on the road for a cute car date.
RELATED:Five of the most scenic drives Perth »
1. Find this secret SOR jetty for a sunset city view
Sorry to all the SOR locals for spilling this closely guarded secret. But it’s too good not to share.
Hidden in the heart of Applecross is a secret foreshore spot, perfect for a romantic sunset picnic overlooking the city and Swan River.
Head to Applecross Jetty to access this secluded sanctuary. Parking is available on Fraser Road and Ardross Street.
To up the romance, follow the walkway along the river in front of the Applecross mansions, heading away from the city. This path is dotted with lookouts where you can settle on a bench, snuggle up, and look for dolphins as you bask in the setting sun.
2. Pack a picnic for a romantic lookout lunch on Zig Zag Scenic Drive
Nestled away in Gooseberry Hill, Zig Zag Scenic Drive winds through bushland and opens up to sweeping views of Perth’s skyline. The drive follows an old railway line and has several spots where you can park and picnic while enjoying the views.
Zig Zag Scenic Drive is open to cars every day between 11:00am – 8:30pm. Be aware this narrow road is one-way from top to bottom, and is also open to pedestrians and cyclists, so take extra care when driving.
Plan your date for a Sunday and you can pack your picnic basket at the Kalamunda Farmers Market. The markets are open from 8:00am – 12:00pm and are located at Central Mall, Kalamunda.
RELATED:Ultimate guide to Kalamunda »
3. Snack, snuggle, and stargaze at Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory in Gingin
Nothing says romance like an evening under the night sky. Throw in a meal and you’ve got yourself a five-star date.
A drive to Gingin’s Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory will be rewarded with an unforgettable evening of astrological sights. The observatory is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night for telescope tours of the wonders of space. You can also book in for dinner beforehand at the centre’s café.
For a truly memorable experience, book the Aboriginal Astronomy session guided by Indigenous elder, Dr Noel Nannup. You’ll learn about the Aboriginal dream time stories of creation, then head over to the observatory to marvel at celestial bodies through the centre’s telescopes.
Bookings for the café and tours are essential. You can learn more on the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory’s website.
4. Get cosy in the car park at Perth’s only drive-in cinema
No car date listicle would be complete without a drive-in cinema. Lucky for us, Perth has one: Galaxy Drive-In Theatre, located in Kingsley.
Things here are done the old school way. Roll up in your car, tune your radio to the theatre’s frequency (89.5FM for anyone interested), and sit back to watch the show.
The cinema shows a mix of classics and new releases and is open on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Come on a Tuesday and you’ll score cheap tickets: $22 per car rather than the usual $11 per adult. Double date, anyone?
If you’re feeling peckish, there’s also a café where you can grab snacks or something more substantial.
5. Go café cruising from Watermans Bay to Leighton Beach
This is a day-long car date that’s sure to win some brownie points with your SO.
Start your morning with coffee and brekkie at Little Bay Bar & Eatery. You can’t go wrong with their brunch menu—everything is scrumptious.
Next, make your way across the road to Watermans Bay, where you can settle in on the beach or wade off your brekkie in the bay’s tranquil waters.
When you’re able to move again, make your way down West Coast Highway towards Shorehouse in Swanbourne to graze on oysters, croquettes, and other delicious nibbles off their in-between menu.
If you have stomach space to spare, North Street Store is worth a short detour from your coastal drive. Stop by for their famous cinnamon scrolls. You won’t be disappointed.
When you’ve completed your snack mission, head towards Cottesloe’s Napoleon Street shopping strip for a spot of retail therapy. Sal’s Pasta Deli is a must for lovers of handmade pasta and other Italian deli treasures. Across the street, enjoy a little aromatherapy at Heartwood Natural Harmony, a natural beauty store where the air is laced with the calming scent of sandalwood.
Finally, end your day with a sunset dinner at Bib & Tucker at Leighton Beach. RAC members get 10% off at Bib & Tucker, so if you do plan to visit, find out how to claim your dinner discount beforehand.
6. Feast on fish and chips while you soak in a Cottesloe sunset
This must be one of Perth’s most classic car dates.
Perched right above Cottesloe Beach, the “Town of Cottesloe – No. 1 Carpark” truly is number one. Try to score a beach-front spot, reverse park, and pop the boot (prepared with pillows and other comfy essentials, of course). Then all that’s left is to cosy up and enjoy the view as the glow of sunset makes the ocean sparkle.
Prime real estate in this car park is limited, but not to worry. There’s always the option of jumping out of the car and settling in on the beach instead.
Food isn’t essential on this romantic escapade, but who doesn’t enjoy fish and chips on the beach? Before you get too comfortable in the carpark, hop across the road to Ocean View Fish & Chips to grab a seafood feast for your seaside sojourn.
7. Wind through John Forrest National Park in the comfort of your car
Want to experience the serenity of a bushland hike… without the hiking? Have we got the scenic drive for you.
Just 30 minutes from the Perth CBD, John Forrest National Park is best known for its waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers accessible by walk and bike trails throughout the park.
However, just off Great Eastern Highway, you’ll find Park Road, a secret route that winds through the heartland of this stunning bushland reserve in the comfort of your car.
There are two Park Road loops that take you through John Forrest National Park. For the best views, start your drive on the entrance closest to the intersection of Darlington Road and Great Eastern Highway. On this route, you’ll be able to stop at Rotary Lookout for scenic views of Perth and the Swan Coastal Plain.
If you continue on Park Road, you’ll eventually reach a T-junction—here you can turn right to get back on to Great Eastern Highway or take a left to continue on your scenic drive through the park.
As you get deeper into the park, you’ll have the option to turn towards the John Forrest National Park carpark, where you can hop out for a romantic stroll on one of the parks many trails.
