Summer is all about fun and spontaneity, and your dates should be no different. For those of us on dating apps like Bumble, first date suggestions usually involve drinks, dinner or coffee – often inside, in the comfort of aircon and flattering lighting. These dates are classics for a reason: short enough if you don’t hit it off straight away but just long enough to get a feel for the other person.

But if you’re looking to change it up and date differently this summer, a playful outdoor activity could be the way to go. It’ll break the ice faster and take away some of the financial sting of dating, which definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Recent research from Bumble found that 82 per cent of Australian singles prefer to save money with low-key date locations.)

These are some of the best outdoor date ideas to try out with your next Bumble date.

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Picnic at Point Ormond

A grassy reserve with a stunning view of both Elwood Beach and the city skyline, this is one of Melbourne’s dreamiest sunset viewpoints. Bring along a picnic rug, your drink of choice and some cheese and crackers (we recommend grabbing your produce from nearby gourmet grocer The Leaf Store), and you’ll be all set for a relaxing (and cost-of-living-friendly) date by the beach.

Strawberry Picking on the Mornington Peninsula

Drive just an hour out of Melbourne and find yourself at one of Mornington Peninsula’s sunny berry farms. Grab a punnet (or a bucket) and team up to find the juiciest, plumpest strawberries out on the field. Afterwards, you can enjoy the fruits of your foraging together. Our top pick is Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm, located in picturesque Main Ridge. Strawberries were first planted here in 1964 and it’s still owned by the same family four generations later.

Rent a Rowboat at Fairfield Park Boathouse

Tucked away in a leafy, peaceful part of the Yarra, the Fairfield Park Boathouse has been around since 1908. There are plenty of boats for hire, so you won’t need to book ahead. Pick a skiff or a kayak from the boathouse; the hand-built skiffs were designed in Portsmouth, UK, and are replicas of the 19th-century boats that once floated on the Thames. When you’re finished rowing, set up a picnic on the lush lawn or fire up one of the on-site barbeques.

Fish’n’Chips on St Kilda Beach

Skip the swim at St Kilda and grab fish’n’chips to eat by the water. There are plenty of options on Acland Street, but we love Northern Soul – it’s also a favourite of Alta Trattoria head chef and owner McKay Wilday, who says it’s “the closest thing to British-style fish and chips”.

Do a Lap Around the Tan or Merri Creek (With a Coffee in Hand)

If your date suggests grabbing coffee, an easy way to take it outdoors is a walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens. Meet at the iconic Terrace Café for your takeaway; it was recently taken over by the new owners of Higher Ground and Top Paddock. Then, wander past the park’s calm lakes and native flora. If things are going well, you could even book a movie at the park’s serene Moonlight Cinema.

Other great inner-city walks include Merri Creek, the Yarra Trail and the Kororoit Creek Trail.

Hit the Driving Range

The driving range is bliss on a summer evening, even if golfing’s not your thing. It doesn’t require any technical skill – you’re just practising your swing and seeing how far the ball can go – so have a hit and a laugh. The driving range at Albert Park’s Melbourne Golf Park or Yarra Bend Golf are best for beginners. At the former, you can buy a “beer, bash and driver” (a cold beer and 100 balls) for just $35.

Swim at Plenty Gorge

Just 20 kilometres north of Melbourne is Plenty Gorge, a great spot for picnics, bushwalking, cycling and even wildlife-spotting. It’s also home to the Blue Lake, a swimming hole that’s famous for its turquoise colour at certain times of the year. As with all swimming holes, never swim here alone and without checking for snags and other underwater hazards.

1000 Steps Walk

A physical challenge can help you bond quickly, such as this famous day hike in the lush forest of the Dandenong Ranges. Originally made from the trunks of tree ferns, the 1000 Steps Walk was developed in honour of the Golden Staircase, 2000 steps cut by Australian soldiers on the Kokoda Track. It’s steep but worth the climb, leading you to a clearing with a picture-perfect view of Melbourne.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Bumble.