Romance-your-way in The Rocks this Valentines

This date’s all about discovering new dining experiences, sipping world class cocktails and playing footsies under the table. Start your evening at the iconic Sticky. You’ll feel like kids at a candy shop as you watch the world’s leading hard candy artisans stretch, mould and manipulate hot sugar into delicious sweets. Custom print your names onto your own sweets for extra brownie points.

Next up a leisurely stroll along the glittering waterfront to Campbells Cove and stop by Ploos, one of Sydney’s most coveted new restaurants. Their Mediterranean inspired menu will transport you to the Aegean Coast while you take in views of the sunset, harbour and opera house. Order the twice cooked duck and roast eggplant, you’ll be glad you did..

If you don’t want the night to end grab a plush velvet booth and a nightcap at Alice. This luxurious bar serves exquisite world-class cocktails and has a caviar service if you’re feeling fancy.

Are you a little bit cultured? Indulge yourself and impress your date with a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia’s leading displayer of modern art. See this summer's smash exhibition, Do Ho Suh, only on til February 26. 

Next grab a drink and get flirty at Frank Mac’s, a cosy and intimate bar dotted with vintage leather banquettes, complete with a fireplace. This hidden gem is found within the walls of an 1840s sandstone building, and offers one of the largest botanical collections in Sydney.

After a couple of tipples stroll to the base of the Harbour Bridge where you’ll find Luna Lu, an elevated and opulent Asian Fusion Restaurant. This place cultivates modern techniques and premium Australian products to take fusion food to new heights with dishes like oysters with caviar and finger lime, and wok fried live pipis in house made XO sauce.

If you’re into good old-fashioned romance, this is the date for you. Start in the afternoon with a luxurious couples massage at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Sydney or Endota Spa. Once you’re blissed out and completely relaxed grab a table along the waterfront at 6Head, Sydney’s premier waterfront steakhouse. Order off a menu stacked with simple yet premium dishes executed to fine dining perfection while you sip a glass of Australian red and take in the water views. Leave a little room for a martini or two across the road at Australia’s best distillery bar, and one of the country’s best new gin distilleries - Hickson House.