Alternative Valentine's Day ideas

1. Follow the Merri Creek trail to the Abbotsford Convent and drink under the stars
Walk the Merri Creek trail with that special someone, all the way to Abbotsford Convent. And the best reward for the workout? At the end of the trail you’ll fi nd yourselves at the Boiler Room Bar, ready for a night of drinking under the stars. 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford. (03 9415 3600). Tue-Sun 12 noon-11pm.

2. Take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens to Moonlight Cinema
Avoid the couch and stuffy, teen-filled movie theatres and have for a romantic evening under the stars. Unpack your picnic, grab the necessities from the bar, and settle in for a movie-night in nature at the Melbourne Moonlight Cinema. Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. (03 9252 2429). Until 19 Feb. $14-$33.

3. Get your hearts pumping to a Latin beat with salsa at MeMo
Why not throw yourself into a night of sweat, dancing and passion at St Kilda MeMo’s salsa night? You can choose to join a class or if you don’t really care who’s watching, from 9.30pm social dance is completely free. 88 Acland St, St Kilda. (0410 789 844). Tuesday nights. $15-$20.

4. Row, row, row your kayak around Albert Park lake
Share a workout and a day on the water together by hiring a double kayak. Get some sun, tone those arms and finally see who has the most upper-body strength. The Boatyard, 3 Aquatic Dr, Albert Park. (03 9699 3444). Mon-Sun 8am-6pm. $15-$30.

5. Feel the love for all creatures great and small at the zoo
Stretch those hearts a little further and spend Valentine’s Day with the animals at the Royal Melbourne Zoo. As the oldest zoo in Australia, it still remains that special kind of place that’ll always have a soft spot in the hearts of the young and old. Elliott Ave, Parkville. (03 9285 9300). Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. $12.60-$25.40.

6. Celebrate with champagne at RoofPOP! bar
The latest pop-up attraction of Curtin House is RoofPOP! – a new champagne bar with a gold leaflined entrance and walls covered in shot glasses. Climb those unending stairs, grab a dark corner and sink into a night of dim lights and a couple of fl utes of Veuvse Clicquot. Lvl 6, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne. (03 9639 8770). Wed-Sun 5pm-1am.

7. Go rock climbing and prove you have your partner’s back
Get close and sweaty by partnering up at the Hard Rock climbing centre. Stretch those arms and push that trust as you tackle impossible heights together. Who needs chocolate when you’ve got this? 16-18 Varman Ct, Nunawading. Mon-Fri 12 noon-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-7pm.

8. Take a picnic out to Hanging Rock
It’s the perfect location for a bushwalk and a lazy picnic in the sun. Just don’t watch the movie before you go. South Rock Rd, Woodend. (1800 244 711). Mon-Sun 9am-5.30pm.

9. Nothing says love like tandem bike riding
Valentine’s is the day where you don’t have to worry about being ‘too cute’ or ‘too in love’. Make the most of it and hire yourselves a Tandem bike to ride around Melbourne with the one you love. Shop 2, 60 Siddeley, Docklands. (03 9620 1646). Wed-Sat 9am-5.30pm. From $25.

10. Give your loved one a massage and give yourself a workout
Giving a massage could burn as many as 289 calories an hour. Stock up on some luxury oils, such as the aromatic Breathless Botanical Massage Oil from Aesop, and dim the lights! $54 incl. postage.

Back to Time Out Melbourne – Healthy Living

For loads more tips on healthy eating go to weightwatchers.com.au/discover