ROCKHAMPTON'S Ryan Pleash knows how to treat a lady and it all starts with footing the bill.

According to eHarmony's Cost of Love report conducted in March with 1066 Australians aged over 18, the average cost of a date these days is $144.40 with most spending $5913 a year - 13.5% of the average Australian pay packet.

Read full story here: Aussies spend about $150 per romantic date - eHarmony 

As a result, Australians are forking out a staggering $25.7billion a year on dates.

The report also found that men spend twice as much on their dates as women.

Ryan, 21, said he always paid for his date, no matter what the cost.

"I probably go on a date maybe twice a month," he said.

"I pay every time because it's a nice gesture and it's good, old-fashioned manners. I think most men pay for the first couple of dates because it's how we've been brought up and it's socially expected.

"The most I've spent on a date would be $150 but that was a nice picnic dinner. The average I'd spend would be about $80."

The report indicated the main costs associated with dating are meals ($42), activities such as movies or tickets ($30) and drinks ($27). The report also suggested Australians spend an average $31 on pre-date pampering.

It was also revealed that 44% of people surveyed agreed that creative and exciting dates were too expensive.

Ryan said although it was always nice going for a meal, his favourite place to take a date was the beach.

"It's a good place to talk, get to know each other and it's always a fun place.

"Before a date I always try to get my hair cut and maybe buy a new shirt, I'd probably spend about $60 before the actual date.

"Taking someone on a date is a lot more exciting than sitting at home texting them or talking on the phone so I think the money you spend on a date is definitely worth it."