Outdoor dates featuring connection to each other and the outdoors
Outdoor date activities from hiking to balloon rides to outdoor spas for us to enjoy whilst having enough distance from others…
The corona virus pandemic has gotten me thinking of alternative ways to enjoy each others companies whilst on social dates. What activities I would adore to explore which keep others (other than my client at the time) at a suitable distance. What have I put off doing or would you love to explore in your free moments?
What are your joys and passions?
Walking and Hiking- Since the pandemic began affecting our lives in Sydney, I have set myself a goal of exploring one new walk in Sydney ever week. Sydney has some incredible coastal walks, recently I have walked Bondi-Coogee, Coogee-Maroubra, Maroubra- Malabar but I have not yet walked from Malabar- Little Rock Pool or Malabar-La Perouse. The walks around Watsons Bay (such as the lighthouse at Camp Cove) and the Hermitage Walk around the Harbour are also a must. I would like to further investigate National Parks in the North of Sydney and the Royal National Park where there is a great many waterfalls and beautiful picnic areas. At the end of a coastal walk there is also the chance of popping into the ocean to cool off.
Pool or Beach date- Sydney has a plethora of beautiful beaches and rock pools. I recently enjoyed Mahon rock pool when I finished the Coogee-Maroubra walk whilst watching the sun go down. If you are wanting more temperate waters there is also the pool at the Ivy in the city, or Andrew Boy Charlton at the Domain, right besides the Botanic Gardens where we could enjoy a delicious picnic and view their protea display. I have always been keen to visit the MacCallum pool in Cremorne. How could I forget the sauna and sea pool at Icebergs, which can be enjoyed at the end of the Coogee-Bondi walk as a treat, followed by a champagne at the Icebergs Restaurant (which has spectacular views across Bondi beach).
Canoeing and Kayaking- where I grew up in Ireland I lived close to a lake with phosphorescence and I have enjoyed Kayaking in London, Sydney and New Zealand. Sydney is awash with a great many tributaries on top of beautiful sea kayaking. Take a different view of the city by my side.
Sky diving- I am afraid of heights but I also believe in emersion therapy, I once brought a voucher in the UK to go sky diving and waited the whole day but the weather was unsuitable for us to jump and I have subsequently never been.
Outdoor drinks or picnics- I adore a delicious glass of pinot noir and a mature aged cheddar, what better to do than to sit besides the waters edge as the nights continue to get longer and watch the twinkle of the lights on the harbour? Perhaps I will ensure you have a but plug in whilst we have this date.
Drive in cinema- at time of writing the only drive in cinema is in Blacktown in Sydney (and they have the original Star Wars playing this week), the drive in cinema in the entertainment quarter in Moore Park has closed for the season and there are as yet dates for the Moonlight cinema in Centennial Park and the Botanic Gardens
Outdoor (and one indoor private) spa- The Blue Mountains is a short but beautiful drive away and there is the Japanese bath house Sparadise which has views overlooking Lake Lyell. There is also a small spa in the inner west which only allows bookings of two at a time. I adore spas and this is the perfect way to do so topless and in each others companies.
Ferry rides- to Manly or Watsons Bay, or the riverboat to Parramatta- the fresh breeze on your face and glorious coastline or mangroves ferries are accessible and allow us to have a picnic at our chosen destination if we want to.
Balloon date- my father was a professional balloonist before he worked in the city and I have always wanted to go on a balloon ride, although these are early mornings which are not my forte I believe the views and the magic would make the cold and the early start worth it. These can be done in western Sydney and in Canberra.
Overnight stay at Taronga Wildlife Retreat- Do you love animals, seclusion and amazing sunset views? I adore animals (I have been vegetarian over half of my life) and throughly enjoyed going on safari in South Africa, you can stay at Taronga zoo and get a chance to get up and close with koalas and watch platypus’s swim whilst having accommodation overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Aboriginal Walking Tours- You don’t know where you are going until you know where you are coming from. It is vitally important that we understand the history and the land of Australia and it is best to learn this from the custodians of this land. There are Aboriginal walking tours in a variety of places in Sydney, from the Botanic Gardens where you can also learn about bush tucker, to Dharawal National Park which has only recently been open to the public, to tours of Barangaroo.
Horse Riding in Centenial Park- Are you a horse rider of have you always wanted to be one? I used to ride a lot into my teenage years and have enjoyed riding in South America, do you want to explore a Sydney park at a different pace?
Bridge Climb- When I first came to Sydney as a teenager I did the Bridge Climb and the views were spectacular. Not for the feint hearted as you really do stand at quite a height, a sunset view of the harbour is breath taking.
