How Aussies celebrate national couples day
National Couples Day, observed each year on August 18, is a heartfelt celebration of love, partnership, and appreciation. While not a public holiday in Australia, it’s increasingly embraced as a special moment to honour romantic relationships—whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or in a long-term commitment.
This article dives into the meaning of National Couples Day, its growing popularity across Australia, and creative ways couples can celebrate it meaningfully without relying on material gifts.
What is national couples day?
National Couples Day is an informal day of appreciation for those in loving relationships. Observed every year on 18 August, it is a friendly reminder to appreciate your loved one. Unlike Valentine’s Day, which is often commercialised and extravagant, National Couples Day is rooted in sincerity and emotional connection. Its authenticity and emotional resonance have won it an increasing number of fans across the globe — and now increasingly here in Australia.
The aim is simple
To stop and enjoy the strength, support, and happiness a relationship offers. It’s a day of love, not splurge. It’s less about gift-giving and more about spending quality time together and expressing appreciation.
Why Australians are celebrating National Couples Day
Over the past few years, Australians have been changing the way they celebrate love. With growing interest in mindfulness, work-life balance, and emotional wellbeing, couples nationwide are looking for authentic moments over flamboyant public moments. National Couples Day fits this mindset perfectly.
Here’s why Australians are feeling it:
- It gives them a relaxed method of connecting that’s free of hyperbolic expectations.
- It complements the philosophy of daily appreciation over yearly gestures.
- It embodies inclusive relationship values, welcoming couples of every kind.
- It suits the relaxed culture of Australia, enabling people to celebrate in whatever way best for them.
How Aussies are celebrating National Couples Day
Sydney to Perth, couples are creating unique and individual ways to celebrate this special day. Whatever your flavor of romance, relaxation, or shared activity, there’s no bad way to indulge.
1. Nature-inspired experiences
- Watch the sunrise together at the beach
- Take a bushwalk in a nearby national park
- Enjoy a picnic with local produce under the stars
2. At-home activities
Prefer to stay in? Make it special with some of these ideas:
- Cook a favourite dish together using locally sourced ingredients
- Set up a movie night with classic Australian films
- Create a DIY spa evening complete with face masks, candles, and massages
- Revisit old memories by looking through photos and telling stories
3. Local adventures and foodie fun
For the foodie couple or those who love to explore their own backyard:
- Book a table at that new restaurant you’ve both wanted to try
- Go to a farmers’ market and cook a meal together using your fresh purchases
- Have a progressive dinner date, with each course being served in a different location
- Try a new rooftop bar or neighborhood secret spot
4. Special gift ideas
While gifts aren’t the focus of the day, a thoughtful token can still be meaningful. Choose something personal over pricey.
Some special Australian-inspired gift options are:
- A personalized map print of where you first met or had your first kiss
- A piece of local artwork or a picture frame with a photograph of the two of you
- A love letter or handwritten note declaring what they mean to you
- An Aussie-made wellness or skincare hamper for joint pampering
- Concert, play, or weekend escape tickets
National couples day vs valentine’s day
- While both days celebrate romantic love, they both feel very different in tone and intention.
- Valentine’s Day tends to be accompanied by a lot of pressure — to spend money, to do something elaborate, and to make it “Instagram-worthy.”
- National Couples Day is more about quiet appreciation and deep connection. It’s not wedded to any commercial expectation or rigid tradition.
- Australians who are a little cynical about Valentine’s Day’s commercialism are making National Couples Day a welcome alternative.
- It’s more casual, more individualized, and more in keeping with our own values of honesty and balance.
Long-distance couples and celebrating from afar
Distance doesn’t have to diminish intimacy. There are many couples in Australia who are apart because they do FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) work, travel, or are in international relationships.
Here are some long-distance celebration ideas:
- Organize a video call dinner date, where both of you cook the same food and dine together online
- Send a love letter or gift through the post by hand
- Create a playlist of tunes that remind you of one another
- Watch a film or TV show together on screen-sharing apps
- Write out and exchange your relationship milestones and objectives for the coming year
Social media trends and community connection
Social media has helped bring attention to National Couples Day, with many couples sharing their love online using hashtags like:
- #NationalCouplesDay
- #LoveInAustralia
- #AussieLove
- #RealLoveRealLife
- #CoupleGoalsAU
It’s a lovely way to connect with others while also celebrating your own unique love story.
Tips to make National Couples Day special
To truly enjoy the occasion, keep it stress-free and personal. Here are a few final tips to get the most out of your day:
- Unplug from distractions – Be present and enjoy the moment
- Express appreciation – A simple “thank you” or “I love you” goes a long way
- Celebrate milestones – Reflect on how far you’ve come as a couple
- Try something new – Shared experiences build connection
- Don’t overthink it – It’s about love, not perfection
Conclusion
National Couples Day is a lovely reminder that love doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. For Australians, it’s a chance to acknowledge true connection, laughter, and heartfelt gratitude without the consumeristic noise of conventional romantic holidays. Whether you choose to explore the outdoors, sipping Aussie wine at home, or simply have a heartfelt conversation, what matters most is the presence and intention behind it. Celebrate your love, your way — because every couple’s story deserves a moment to be cherished.