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How To Spend A Rainy Day In Brisbane
Are your weekend plans dashed thanks to the weather? Not to worry, we’ve uncovered the best ways to spend a rainy day in Brisbane.
Here in the Sunshine State, it’s not often we find ourselves weathering a gloomy, rainy day. But when that day does roll around, it inevitably spoils weekend plans of sunshine sips at a rooftop bar. Luckily, our wonderful city has so much more to offer than scenic views and picnics by the river. From museums to game rooms, you’ll find all of the best ways to spend a rainy day in Brisbane below…
Head to One of Brissie’s Indoor Games Parlours
Brisbane offers a smorgasbord of indoor activities for kids and kids at heart to enjoy on drizzly days.
For arcade games, head to Archie Brothers Cirque Electric. Enter via the prize room to get a taste of what you could get your hot little hands on, before picking up your game card and getting to work. All your favourite arcade games are on offer, from motorbike racing, dance-offs, air hockey and more. You can even book a bowling lane or hit the karaoke room. After working up an appetite, grab a feed and one of the incredible cocktails on offer at the bar.
For something more low-key, head to Oche in Fortitude Valley for some electronic darts. Book your very own darts lane with a pal or a group, and from there you can choose from a variety of challenging darts games. You can order food and drink to your lane, too!
Looking for something athletic and competitive to do? Maniax is the perfect solution! Toss axes at a target board and test your hand-eye coordination whilst establishing whether you have any Viking blood running through your veins from a past life.
Hijinx Hotel is another top pick. This fun, interactive, and high-energy games arcade at Westfield Chermside will release your inner child as you solve puzzles, identify mystery songs and shoot hoops as fast as you can while treavelling from room to room in the hotel.
Looking for More Fun Things to do on a Rainy Day in Brisbane? Read These Next:
The Best Museums In Brisbane For A Culture Fix
Hit-Up a Museum or Art Gallery
Often forgotten by locals, Queensland Museum acts as a custodian of the state’s natural and cultural heritage, protecting and showcasing over a million items and specimens in collections that tell the story and history of Queensland. There’s always something on display that will ignite your inner child and sense of wonder.
If you’re more of an arty type, head to GOMA to while away the unhurried hours of a rainy day, as you take your time poring over artworks new and old, local and international. There’s always an immersive exhibition to wander through or engage with, and there are usually interactive exhibits to keep the little ones occupied for a little longer, until the sun returns.
See A Film
If you haven’t been to the flicks in a hot minute, ease yourself back in with a visit to one of these gorgeous cinemas on a rainy day in Brisbane.
New Farm cinema is fitted out with seventies-style decor, so you feel as if you’re stepping back in time when you step off Brunswick Street into groovy mood lighting. The cinema seats are comfortable and roomy, and you can order drinks and meals to arrive during the movie when you’re in one of the Gold Rooms.
A sister venue to the New Farm Cinema, the Red Hill edition features a bar for you to enjoy a glass of wine before heading upstairs to the cinema. Order hot food and drinks to arrive during the movie to make the most of your escape from the soggy surroundings outside.
Converted from an old bookseller’s warehouse turned Irish Club, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre truly takes you back in time with its ornate detailing, plush, rich red curtains and stained glass features. It makes the perfect romantic setting for any night out for dinner and a movie!
175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
Pamper Yourself At A Day Spa
A rainy day is the perfect opportunity to spend a guilt-free day indoors pampering yourself. Whether you opt for a facial, a full body massage or a Himalayan salt sauna experience, you can escape the sleepy, gloomy grey skies for bliss and relaxation at one of our city’s incredible day spa experiences.
Check out our list of favourites for some decadent inspiration on how to spend a rainy day in Brisbane.
Try Indoor Rock Climbing
Ready to discover if rock climbing is your next new obsession? With every second person on your social feed scaling walls at Urban Climb, maybe this is your chance to try out this fun, interactive and challenging workout!
It’s a social sport that requires problem-solving, builds strength and requires focus, so it’s an all-around engaging activity to pick your energy levels up on a cold, rainy day in Brisbane. Plus, with all this practice, you’ll be ready to try scaling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs when the sun shines again!
Multiple locations
Learn To Cook Something New
Do rainy days make anyone else snack-y… Or is that just us? If you’re craving something comforting, maybe it’s time you try your hand at something new. You might start by scrolling Pinterest or the Sitchu recipes treasure trove, but you could also begin by getting your hands dirty!
Brisbane has a wide variety of cooking classes available that are the perfect way to stay productive and have fun on a rainy day. Grab your bestie or your mum and book in for one of these fun cooking classes in Brisbane.
Embark on a Book Crawl
Nothing beats curling up on the couch on a rainy day to indulge in a spot of reading, fun beverages on hand, of course. If you’re in a reading rut or stuck for material, head to one of Brisbane’s fab bookshops for a new release or tried-and-tested classic.
You can find a full edit of our favourite bookshops in Brisbane here.
Go Treasure Hunting at Brisabne’s Best Vintage Stores
If you find yourself with a spot more time on your hands due to the weather, take the opportunity to trawl through some of Brisbane’s best vintage stores. Time is the very best way to secure a bargain, so leave yourself a couple of hours. Pair with a matcha or coffee, and you’ve got a perfect afternoon in store.
You can find our full list of favourite vintage stores in Brisbane here.
FAQs
Brisbane has plenty of indoor options for a rainy day. You can visit GOMA or the Queensland Museum for arts and culture, try indoor activities like rock climbing at Urban Climb or axe throwing at Maniax, catch a film at one of Brisbane’s boutique cinemas, play arcade games at Archie Brothers Cirque Electric, or pamper yourself at a day spa. Rainy days are also a great excuse to browse Brisbane’s best bookshops or vintage stores.
Yes — Urban Climb is Brisbane’s go-to indoor rock climbing gym and has multiple locations across the city. It’s a great option for a rainy day as it combines physical challenge, problem-solving, and a social atmosphere. No experience is needed to get started, and it’s a fun way to build strength and focus.
Several of Brisbane’s best rainy day activities are free or low cost. The Queensland Museum and GOMA’s permanent collection are both free to enter. Browsing Brisbane’s independent bookshops — like Avid Reader and Riverbend Books — costs nothing and makes for a lovely afternoon. Vintage store trawling is another free and leisurely option, particularly if you set a budget before you go.
We certainly hope we’ve helped cure your wet weather blues! If you’re looking for more ways to stay busy and dry indoors, perhaps it’s time to catch up on your reading. We’ve wrapped up our hit list of classic Australian novels that are a must-read… perhaps one is awaiting you on the shelf?
You could also flip through the digital copy of Sitchu Magazine to stay inspired and up to speed on the latest in homewares, property and more.
