15 Cheap And Fun Date Ideas Near The University Of South Australia
Are you a UniSA student who really wants to impress that special someone in your life, but doesn’t have the funds for a really fancy date or the petrol to travel somewhere really far? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Which is why we have complied a list of 15 cheap and fun date ideas that are close to campus. Take a look at some fun, but inexpensive date ideas near The University of South Australia for you and your significant other!
1. Tour the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide (UniSA City East Campus)
The Art Gallery of South Australia is home to an outstanding collection of work from Australia, Europe, North American and Asia. Art displays include paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, textiles, furniture, ceramics, metalwork and jewelry. This is a great date location that will help you gain an understanding of each other (interests, thoughts and opinions, etc) and is perfect for conversation starters. Another benefit of the art gallery is that entry is completely free! However, if you don’t mind spending a couple of dollars, there is a café on sight where you and your significant other can share some great food and drinks. The art gallery is open every day from 10am – 5pm (closed 25th December). To find out when certain exhibitions are open, visit the website in advance.
2. Explore The South Australian Museum.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide (UniSA City East Campus)
The South Australian Museum is a great location for a date as it allows for great conversation between you and your significant other, while also enriching your knowledge of art, history and culture. Another great thing about this date is that entry into the museum is free (some charges may apply for some special exhibitions). If you’re looking for a date that is virtually free then this is the location for you. The museum is open every day from 10am – 5pm, including weekends and public holidays (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). If you want to keep a souvenir from your date, the museum shop is also open every day from 10am – 4:45pm. An extra tip for this date is to keep a time limit on your tour – an hour and 15 minutes is a safe amount of time for both of you to explore the museum before most people become bored or restless.
3. Relive your childhood at the Hungry Hippo Board Game Café.
Location: 196 Hindley Street, Adelaide (UniSA City West Campus)
The Hungry Hippo Board Game Café is a great place to take your significant other if you’re looking for fun-filled and interactive, but inexpensive date. The best part about this café is that not only do they serve delicious food at a low price, but they have a whole shelf filled with board games galore to play with your significant other while you eat your food! This is one of the best date locations to get to know your significant other (and find out their competitive streak). If you also have problems creating conversation on dates then this is the place for you! Playing board games with each other is a great interactive activity that will make you both laugh and create the conversational topics for you – No stress needed!
4. Go to an event at Adelaide UniBar (UniSA City East Campus).
Location: The University of Adelaide, Level 5, Union House, Adelaide (UniSA City East Campus)
The Adelaide UniBar is probably the best place to milk the advantages of your ‘student’ title. The Adelaide UniBar offers cheap food and drinks, and great entertainment for all Adelaide university students. The fun and chilled atmosphere of the UniBar will set a mood for the date that will leave both parties happy and relaxed. Keep an eye out on the Adelaide UniBar Facebook Page for any upcoming events that you can score cheap tickets to, or for “special nights” such as Wednesday Bingo for an opportunity to further lower the price of your date!
5. See a classic at Mercury Cinema.
Location: 13 Morphett Street, Adelaide (UniSA City West Campus)
Movie dates. Let’s be honest, we’ve all fantasized at one point or another of the day that we get to experience that epic cliché moment when the guy not-so-sneakily fake yawns and wraps his arm around the girl – cheesy, but romantic. Now I know that the price tag for most movie dates is not usually the cheapest, but the great thing about the Mercury cinema is that tickets are only $13 concession. And if you become a member of their Cinematheque club (must join for a minimum four movies) for a year, you can watch movies for only $2.50! Either way that leaves you with more money to spend on tasty treats; and we all know food is the most important. This makes this cinema one of the cheapest date locations to visit. Come on, you can’t deny that you don’t want your movie date fantasies to come true. So what are you waiting for? Visit the Mercury Cinema now and go live your romance dreams!
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6. Go window shopping at Rundle Mall.
Location: 78 Rundle Mall, Adelaide (UniSA City East Campus)
Rundle Mall is known for many things, especially for those two giant silver balls. But have you ever known it to be a date location? Well now you know! Rundle Mall is the perfect date location if you’re looking to keep it cheap while also having fun. The best part about this date is that you both get to decide how much money you spend and where you go. The Mall offers a range of stores and activities for you and your significant other.
Engage in some healthy retail therapy, watch the buskers perform, grab a bite to eat, or simply do some window shopping and people watching. Either way, you can gain an understanding of each other’s personalities (behaviour, thoughts, interests, like and dislikes, etc) and it is a great test to see if you both are a compatible couple. You can visit Rundle Mall Monday to Thursday from 9am – 7pm, Fridays from 9am – 9pm, Saturdays from 9am – 5pm, and Sundays from 11am – 5pm.
7. Take pictures in Botanic Gardens Adelaide.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide (UniSA City East Campus)
What could more romantic than a walk with nature? The Botanic Gardens is home to thousands of beautiful flora and fauna that will astound and amaze you and your significant other. And the best part? Entry is completely free! You won’t have to pay for anything on this date, besides the expense of food and drinks (this is optional too) and possibly car parking. Just remember that no alcohol, ball or throwing games, and pets are not allowed on grounds.
The gardens are open Monday to Friday from 7:15am and on weekends and public holidays from 9am. Closing times for the gardens differs each month so make sure you check their website before embarking on your date. Also check out their website to see which flora and fauna are currently in bloom for an extra special treat (and to impress your date).
8. Eat the best burger at Fancy Burger.
Location: 17 Synagogue Place, Adelaide and 402 Magill Road, Kensington Park (UniSA City East Campus and Magill Campus)
Fancy Burger is a great location if you’re looking to keep it fun and relaxed, while sticking to a budget. Besides, who doesn’t love a good cheeseburger? What makes Fancy Burger better than fast food restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Hungry Jacks is that all their sauces are made fresh, using the highest quality locally sourced ingredients and they offer a range of burger options, even veggie burgers for those vegetarians out there.
The restaurant in the city is open Sunday to Thursday from 11am – 9pm and Friday to Saturday from 11am-11pm (not open public holidays). However, the restaurant at Magill is open all 7 days from 11am – 9pm. If you’re looking to keep it simple and enjoyable, and at a low price then head on down to Fancy Burgers. When it’s all over and bun with, you will be cheesed with your decision (I couldn’t help myself).
9. See a show at Fowlers Live.
Location: 68 North Terrace, Adelaide (UniSA City West Campus)
Fowlers Live is the perfect date location if you enjoy music or are looking for some entertainment on your date. This venue is well known for hosting a variety of amazing local talent and one of Adelaide’s original live music venues. An added bonus of the venue is that it offers a licensed bar service that caters to your drinking needs. Fowlers Live is a good small location to let loose and get intimate with your significant other. It’s also a great opportunity to witness and listen to some great local artists, and to expand your music tastes. Keep an eye out on the venue’s website and Facebook page for a chance to score some cheap tickets!
10. Workout at Magill Gym.
Location: St Bernard’s Road, Magill (UniSA Magill Campus)
You know what they say: the couple that sweats together, stays together! Now for some people going to the gym is not the ideal date, but for those seeking to develop relationship bonding skills, to have fun while staying healthy or if you both have an interest in exercise then this is the date for you. For students, the walk-in fee is only $8, but there are also packages to extend your membership (find out more here).
Compared to the fees at most gyms, this is an awesome deal so take advantage of what the University of South Australia has to offer. The Magill Campus Gym is open from Monday – Friday from 6am – 9pm, Saturdays 9am – 1pm and Sundays from 12pm – 4:30pm, so pack your workout gear and your protein shake, and hit the treadmill!
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11. Swim in the Magill swimming pool.
Location: St Bernard’s Road, Magill (UniSA Magill Campus)
Are you one of those people who hates what the beach has to offer, but still wants to be able to cool down from the heat? Why not try the Magill Campus Swimming Pool!? It has no sand, no dangerous ocean life and no screaming children, and it’s extremely cheap! For students, the walk-in fee is only $4, again there are other packages to extend your membership (find out more here).
The current schedule for the Magill Campus pool is from the 5th September 2016 until the 13th April 2017 (closed 25th and 26th December). During these months, the pool will be available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 6am – 8pm, Saturdays from 8am – 6pm and Sundays from 10am – 6pm. All you have to do now is wait for some weather and you have the best summer date ever! And don’t forget to slip, slop and slap – sunburn and skin cancer is not fun kids.
12. Hike Morialta Conservation Park.
Location: Morialta Falls Road, Woodforde (UniSA Magill Campus)
Morialta Conservation Park is the perfect date location if you don’t mind walking or hiking. The beautiful views are hands down the best part of the park and is the reason why people so frequently come to visit. The park has three waterfalls along Fourth Creek that are linked by an extensive network of walking trails, which are its most popular features. The views from the rock climbing zone are also popular as it provides opportunities to admire Morialta George and the nearby Adelaide Plains (and if gives you a chance to cozy up to your significant other, and snap some cool pics for Instagram).
The park is open to vehicles from 8:30am to 15 minutes before sunset (closed on Christmas day), however it is open to walkers from sunrise to sunset. And you know what’s even better? Pets are allowed! (on a lead of course, and with doggie bags at hand). What’s better than getting in touch with nature while bonding over your furry friends?
13. Visit Indulge in Chocolate.
Location: Shop 5, 1-5 Main Street, Mawson Lakes (UniSA Mawson Lakes Campus)
If your significant other doesn’t like this date, then there is nothing that will please them. This is easily the most delicious of all date ideas near The University of South Australia! Who doesn’t love chocolate? Besides people with allergies and lactose intolerance, there is no one who doesn’t enjoy some good chocolate (if they don’t then they are not human and you should run far away). Indulge in Chocolate is a great date location for any couple.
Not only does it offer a romantic atmosphere and great food, it comes with a low price too! With only one taste, you’ll have your significant other eating from the palm of your hand (literally). Indulge in Chocolate is open from Monday to Wednesday from 7am – 9pm, Thursday to Saturday from 7am – 10pm, and Sundays from 8am – 10pm. What are you waiting for? Your sweet tooth will thank you for it later.
14. Study at Whyalla Public Library together.
Location: 7-9 Ekblom Street, Whyalla Norrie (UniSA Whyalla Campus)
Although some may think of the library as a completely boring location, it doesn’t have to be. The library can offer many advantages on a date if you can think about it differently. To keep it simple, have each person search the library for any books that you like and join back together at the end to discuss why you both chose those books. It will allow you to learn more about each other and your interests, while also grabbing some new reading material!
Now, if you want to have some fun with this date you could arrange for a scavenger hunt of sorts. Both of you compile a list of certain objects for the other person to find (i.e. a book that reminds you of your childhood, a foreign movie, a unusual children’s picture book) and race to see who can complete the list first. At the end you can discuss some of your choices and enjoy a good laugh. It will allow you to learn more about each other in a fun, interactive way and will give you an insight into their competitive streak. So do as your teachers once told you and hit the books!
15. Tour Engelbrecht cave!
Location: 26 Chute Street, Mount Gambier (UniSA Mount Gambier Campus)
If you are looking for a great source of adrenaline and some adventure on your date, then this is the location for you! Engelbrecht cave is amazing cave system lying under the streets and homes in Mount Gambier. While visiting the cave, you will see the beautiful underground lake, with its clear blue water that is home to some of the oldest living creatures and some fascinating stalagmites and stalactites.
Tour prices for one adult will cost $12.50 and for children (4-17yrs) will cost $8.00 (if you are in the child range, remember to bring identification). During the school term Engelbrecht cave is open every day, besides Wednesday, from 9:30am – 3:30pm (tours from 10am until 12pm). During the South Australia and Victoria school holidays the cave is open every day from 9:30am – 3:30pm (tours from 10am until 3pm). In the words of Ellie from ‘UP!’ – “Adventure is out there”. So get ready to have some fun exploring this amazing site!
Try out one of these fantastic locations today and share your experience with us!
Do you have any other cheap and fun date ideas near The University of South Australia? Feel free to comment below and share the article!
Featured photo source: deviantart.com and walkingsa.org.au
