Let’s be honest — travel isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s messy, mundane, or downright haphazard. One day, you’re sipping coffee with a view; the next, you’re arguing over who forgot to fill the water tank.
But here’s the thing: there’s no reason travel has to slip into the routine. It doesn’t just need to be about the logistics, the kilometres, or the to-do list. With a bit of intention, we can turn the everyday into something a little more refined, deliberate, and romantic —a date.
In this blog, we’re sharing ten simple ideas that, on the surface, might make you go “Yeah, yeah… we already do that on holidays.” But I want to encourage you to flip the switch. Don’t just do these things — declare them as dates. Isolate the time just for the two of you. Treat it like you’re choosing each other all over again, even if it’s just over campfire marshmallows or a morning coffee with a view.
Because love doesn’t happen by accident — it happens on purpose, one small intentional moment at a time.
Date 1. Campfire Conversations
Camp Fire by the Murray
There’s something about a campfire that softens the edges. The crackle of the wood, the flicker of light, and that quiet space where stories spill out without effort. Roast a few marshmallows, pour a cuppa (or something stronger), and lean into the warmth — not just of the fire, but of each other.
“Remember When”
Pick a place you’ve visited together and invite your spouse to share their memories of it. What stood out? What moment from that trip still makes you smile (or laugh, or cringe)? Then swap.
You’ll probably find that even the not-so-good experiences hold a thread of connection — something that brought you closer or changed the atmosphere between you.
Reflect on the positive, the growth, and the grace that came from those moments.
Because honestly, it’s amazing how honest we become under starlight.
Date Ingredients
Fire pit or cleared, safe space
Wood (or heat beads — no judgement here! We may even use fire-lighters)
Marshmallows and roasting sticks (or metal skewers if you’re feeling fancy)
Two comfy chairs or camp loungers
Something savoury to cut through the sugar — cheese, crackers, or even a cheeky packet of chips
Drinks of choice — coffee, wine, hot chocolate, or your signature “road-trip concoction”
Bonus tip: Keep a little blanket handy — both for warmth and for that perfect excuse to sit closer.
Date 2. Scenic Drive With a Playlist
Taking a drive
Choose each other’s favourite songs or make a “Love on the Road” playlist. This is again about taking the time to relax and be present. I know we can get stuck wanting to listen to another chapter of the audiobook or a podcast, but it’s hard to have an honest conversation when you’re half-listening and trying not to interrupt every time a thought pops up.
Create a list that suits both of you, filled with songs you both like and are happy to have in the background.
Sometimes you chat, sometimes you break out in song, and sometimes you enjoy the moment of simple connection — but the key is, you’re not interrupting; you’re connecting.
Tip: no podcasts, no directions — just music and conversation, unless you both decide to listen to something that builds your relationship.
Maybe it’s a marriage podcast or a story that inspires you to talk about what stood out and what you’d like to try in your relationship. Just make sure you finish on the same page and both feel richer because of what you’ve shared.
One small caution: avoid podcasts that focus heavily on an issue unless you’ve both agreed on it first.
Date Ingredients
Spotify or another streaming app
Good connection to the car stereo
A wide-open road ahead.
Allow at least an hour, and let the rhythm of the road become your soundtrack.
☕ Date 3. Morning Coffee With a View
Find a lookout or a beach and make your own barista moment. It sounds almost too simple to count as a date, but the beauty of it is in the togetherness.
Bonus points to the one saying, “Come have coffee with me.” It’s that small invitation that turns an ordinary morning into a date and a shared memory.
This one isn’t about the coffee; it’s about slowing down long enough to see each other.
No phones, no rushing to the next stop — just breathing in the view and remembering how nice it is to sit side by side. Those quiet “slow mornings” are often the gold you find tucked inside the busyness of travel.
Date Ingredients
A morning beverage of choice — coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate
A beautiful vista, and no rushing.
Just take it in, one sip and one quiet smile at a time.
Date 4. Winery or Brewery Stop
Paddle at Forrest Brewing Company
We love visiting breweries and wineries, and it’s never just about the tastings. These spots have a way of slowing you down, inviting you to linger, laugh, and actually connect. There’s something about being in that relaxed space — surrounded by chatter, fresh air, and maybe a vineyard view — that helps you both exhale.
Here’s where you can turn it into a real date: choose a place that offers a tasting paddle or a local cheese board. You’re often left to enjoy it at your own pace, and that’s when the magic happens. Share the paddle, take turns tasting from the same glass, and compare your thoughts. It’s intimate, light-hearted, and just a little playful — a simple way to remind yourselves how good it feels to share.
Talk about what you’d toast to right now — something you’re grateful for, something you’re proud of, or maybe something you’re dreaming about together.
Date Ingredients
Find a local winery or brewery that offers paddles
A shared tasting paddle or cheese board
Time to sit, sip, and savour without rushing.
Date 5. The Walk That Never Ends
the beach near our van
Pick a short trail or a beach walk that ends with a little treat. Wander hand in hand, taking the time to chat, laugh, and enjoy the scenery as you go.
It’s not about reaching the end — it’s about walking together, side by side, without an agenda.
Pause along the way to take in the view, snap a photo, or breathe. Let the conversation flow as naturally as the path ahead.
And when you’re done, reward yourselves with something sweet — maybe ice cream, maybe fish and chips by the water. It’s a simple, timeless date that always works.
Date Ingredients
A gentle trail or beach walk
Comfortable shoes
Your favourite walking buddy
A shared treat waiting at the end.
Date 7. Sunset Picnic
Just like a morning view with coffee, this is about ending the day by slowing down and enjoying an aperitif, with an amazing view of creation.
Pack a simple platter; bonus points for a bottle of bubbles.
It does not take long to find a beach, river, or some sensational vista that goes on forever. Choose where you want to go.
“God paints the best backdrops for connection; make the most of the beauty.”
Date Ingredients
Simple platter with cheese and crackers
A drink to toast your day
Chairs, or a picnic blanket
Date 8. Outdoor Movie Night
Projector on the van or laptop under fairy lights.
Choose a travel movie or an old favourite — popcorn mandatory.
Says it all 🙂
Date Ingredients
Projector, laptop
Popcorn
Chairs and blankets to get snuggly
Date 9. Try Something New Together
Riding a tandem side by side – so much fun
This one’s for the brave — the couples willing to shake things up a little. It’s easy to fall into familiar routines, but sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone and do something that makes you both laugh (or squeal) a little. Don’t get me wrong, this one can be fun, but it can also be the riskiest of all the dates on this list — not because it’s dangerous, but because trying something new can stretch you in unexpected ways.
Whether it’s hiring a kayak, joining a segway tour (let’s say we’ve been there), or wobbling your way through a tandem bike ride, remember it’s not about skill; it’s about sharing an experience. If your level of enjoyment differs — and it might — keep it light-hearted, stay kind, and laugh at yourselves often.
The absolute joy comes from the moment you both say, “We actually did that!”
Shared novelty equals shared memories — even the ones that come with a few bruised egos and belly laughs along the way.
Date Ingredients
Something new to try, a willingness to laugh at yourselves, and a healthy dose of grace for each other.
Date10. Stargazing & Gratitude
Lie back, hold hands, and name three things you’re grateful for.
There is something special about ending a day by looking up — the vastness of the sky has a way of putting everything back into perspective.
Gratitude is powerful; it shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s already right there beside you.
Keep an eye out for shooting stars, and if you really want to be intentional, check if any cosmic events are happening soon — meteor showers, eclipses, or even a full moon can make the night feel that little bit more special.
And remember, it’s easy to feel close when you’re both looking up at the same heaven.
Date Ingredients
An open location away from light pollution, a clear night, and something comfortable to lie on — a picnic blanket, a mattress topper, or even the back of your ute. Just relax, breathe, and let gratitude do its quiet work.
Conversation starters
Sometimes knowing where to start is the hardest part. It’s not that we don’t want to talk — it’s that life, tiredness, or the hum of routine can make the words slow to come.
(If you’d like a deeper dive into communication and connection, you can also read our post The Couple’s Communication Guide — it’s full of practical ways to strengthen how you talk, listen, and understand each other.)
So here are a few gentle prompts to get you started.
Pick one or two and let the conversation flow wherever it needs to go.
If you could design our weekend, what would we do?
What is your favourite meal at the moment?
A perfect day, what would it look like?
What is your favourite part of the day?
What are three relationship goals you would like to see us work on?
Share one thing I have done recently that you thought was kind and thoughtful?
What are our strengths as a couple?
Is there something we could do for each other daily?
What do we do well together?
Tell me something you are proud of about yourself.
What are three relationship goals you would like to see us work on?
Share one thing I have done recently that you thought was kind and thoughtful?
These are just little open doors — ways to see each other again through fresh eyes. You might be surprised where a straightforward question leads.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, travelling together isn’t about ticking boxes or collecting photos — it’s about collecting moments.
The laughter, the quiet pauses, the sideways glances that say, “We’re really doing this together.”
So next time you’re on the road, don’t just wait for romance to sneak in between the sightseeing and the servo stops. Create it. Make it part of your rhythm.
Because the best dates don’t require fancy clothes or a restaurant booking — just two people, choosing to be present, wherever the road takes them.
💙 Join the Sapphire Blue Travel Family!
