33 Fun Indoor Activities To Do In Brisbane On A Rainy Day

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There’s nothing worse than a rainy day to spoil a fun day out in Brisbane, so we have put together a mammoth list of fun indoor activities in Brisbane on rainy days. These things to do in Brisbane on a rainy day are perfect for staying dry, while still making the most of your time in the Queensland capital.

You will have plenty of things to do with the kids no matter what the weather forecast brings.

These are also great activities to do when it’s really hot during the heat of a Brisbane summer when the average temperature is often over 30 degrees Celcius and you want to escape outdoors for air-conditioned comfort.

The Best Indoor Activities In Brisbane

Queensland is known as the sunshine state so Brisbane life is usually perfect for outdoor activities – swimming, hiking, biking, picnics, day trips to the beach and simply enjoying the great outdoors.

If the weather has severely affected your plans to spend a day outdoors with your family, don’t be disappointed. There are many indoor activities to do to enjoy the rainy days.

These include activities to do with kids in Brisbane while it’s raining, activities to do at night or just general things that are fun for all ages, so you won’t let a rainy day spoil your fun in Brisbane.

For when the weather fines up, check out these 50 fun things to do in Brisbane, but for now, let’s get some indoor fun sorted!

Even on rainy days, you can enjoy yourself with your family indoors by trying some of these cool indoor activities:

Things To Do In The Brisbane On A Rainy Day

You can find plenty of Brisbane rainy day activities and indoor fun right in the centre of the city, which you can access easily by train, bus or Citycat ferry.

Check out these family-friendly activities and locations in the Brisbane CBD:

Southbank Parklands

Don’t let a rainy day in Brisbane stop you from visiting the popular Southbank Parklands, in the heart of the city. Southbank sits across the Brisbane River from the CBD and is the ultimate family destination.

While it is perfect for time spent outdoors, with a swimming pool and Brisbane’s man-made beach, markets and playgrounds, there are plenty of things you can do while staying dry too.

Throughout the year there are often fun activities in the sheltered Southbank Piazza as well, including performances and annual events. Many of these events are free.

Enjoy dining at one of the many riverfront restaurants at South Bank.

Or take the family for a visit to the cinemas with the Brisbane IMAX Cinema located at Southbank. Best of all, the tickets are really great value!

Museums and Galleries

While you are in Southbank, this is a great time to explore some of the many free attractions around South Brisbane, all within walking distance from the Parklands.

• GOMA – The Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art is the perfect place to wander and explore some unique art exhibits and kids will enjoy the dedicated children’s activities they have on offer within the art gallery.
• Queensland Museum – The museum is another great free cultural activity to enjoy with the family, with interactive exhibits and a fun children’s museum play zone. They do have special exhibitions that do cost to enter from time to time, however, the majority of the museum can be accessed free of charge.
• State Library of Queensland – Visit the State Library between 11 am and 12:30 pm for playtime in The Corner. They have several weekly children’s storytime sessions which you can find details for on their website. They also run a school holiday program filled with activities for kids.Tindoor83

Fun Indoor Activities In Brisbane For Kids & Families

If you want some low key activities that aren’t necessarily Brisbane tourist attractions, there is plenty to do that the kids will love.

Sometimes it’s the simple things that bring the most joy. Here are some indoor fun ideas to try:

Urban Xtreme

If it’s adventure and active activities you love, the whole family will have a blast visiting Urban Xtreme in Hendra – Australia’s largest indoor adventure sports park.

Here you can enjoy a huge range of activities, including indoor rock climbing, snow sports, indoor snowboarding and skiing, trampolining, dodgeball, ninja courses and plenty more.

There is also an indoor play centre for younger kids to enjoy making Urban Extreme the perfect place for the whole family!

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Located a little way outside Brisbane city in Toowong you will find Brisbane’s Planetarium alongside the Botanic Gardens.

The Planetarium is the ultimate place to discover all things space, with regular shows aimed toward different age groups where you can sit back and learn all about the night sky.

For current events and program times, visit their website. Note that the Planetarium is closed on Mondays and on most public holidays.

Slideways Go Karting

Take a spin around the tracks of Brisbane’s indoor go-kart centre at Slideways, located just 5 minutes from Brisbane Airport.

Cadet karts are suited for kids ages 7 and up with other options for older kids and adults to enjoy as well.

Inflatable World

Want to relive your youth bouncing your way around giant jumping castles? Inflatable World has you covered!

These indoor play centres with a difference have a variety of jumping castles and inflatable play equipment for kids and adults.

With venues throughout Brisbane, you are sure to find one near you although make sure you check the website as some are only open during school holidays and on the weekends.

Holey Moley

Enjoy a round of putt putt indoors with Holey Moley in Fortitude Valley or Brisbane’s Wintergarden Centre. These indoor mini-golf centres will appeal to adults just as much as kids since it is also a bar and restaurant.

The creative and unique holes will have you truly challenged and amused the whole way through.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

Fancy an adrenaline rush? Visit the iFly Indoor Skydiving centre in Chermside and get airborne. This experience is suited to anyone ages 3 and up so even the younger kids can enjoy the rush of flying.

Each participant gets two goes at flying as part of their package, extending the fun a little longer!

Queensland Performing Arts Complex

Escape the wet weather in Brisbane by attending a performance at QPAC, right near Southbank.

While popular shows may be booked months in advance if you’re lucky you might be able to score last-minute tickets to a variety of touring performances in one of the theatres.

To see what is currently showing at QPAC and check the availability of tickets, check their website.

Try An Art Class

Creative classes are a perfect way to avoid the weather and there are many options to get your creativity flowing around Brisbane. Check out Sip’n’Dip, located in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

They offer regular art classes all around the greater Brisbane area for adults and kids.

Try one of their resin pouring classes with dinner and wine for adults or take the kids to one of their chocolate milk and art classes instead.

They have creative classes for everyone in conveniently located venues.

Plaster Funhouse

Keeping with the creative theme, how about spending a few hours painting your own ceramic creations that you can take home straight away.

The Plaster Funhouse is located in Carina, approximately 20 minutes from Brisbane city and here you can do exactly that.

They are open from Thursday to Sunday throughout the year and every day during the school holidays. Check out more details on their website.

Bogo Road Gaol

Step into Brisbane’s more notorious history with a tour through Boggo Road Gaol.

What was once the largest prison in Queensland is now one of Brisbane’s most unique heritage sites, offering daily tours through the grounds where you can learn all about the convict past.

While some of the tours are aimed at 15 years and up, there are several tours that are for all ages so even the younger kids can join in. This experience is definitely a great option for visiting Brisbane with teens.

They even do ghost tours if you are looking for something to do in Brisbane at night and are brave enough to venture into one of Queensland’s most haunted locations.

More Brisbane Rainy Day Ideas

In case you need even more rainy activities for Brisbane, check out these family-friendly indoor fun activities:

• Imax Cinema – Screening the latest blockbuster releases on the massive screens or special event IMAX films, all for a great low ticket price!
• Indoor Play Centre – There are many indoor play centres around the greater Brisbane area that are perfect for letting younger kids burn off some energy while keeping dry.
• Escape Rooms – If you love to solve a mystery and challenge yourselves, why not check out one of the many Brisbane Escape Room options. While some may be suited to adults, there are many that cater to younger participants as well. Check out Escape Manor or Escape Hunt, which have packages you can purchase and play from home as well.
• Arcade – If you love gaming and enjoy a bit of retro fun, the arcade has something for big kids and little ones. Check out Funhouse in The Myer Centre Brisbane.
• Indoor Trampoline Centre – Get bouncing at one of the many indoor trampoline centres around Brisbane for an active day out all ages can join in for.
• Indoor Rock Climbing – There are several indoor rock climbing centres around Brisbane to challenge beginners and experienced climbers alike. Try Urban Climb or Rocksports.
• Ten Pin Bowling – If you enjoy a bit of friendly competition, a game or 3 of bowling can be a blast. Bowling is suitable for all ages as a fantastic indoor activity. Check out Strike Bowling in Brisbane’s Wintergarden Centre.
• Ice Skating – While you won’t find snow in Brisbane, even on the coldest winter days, you can easily enjoy indoor ice skating at several ice rinks, including Acacia Ridge and Boondall.
• Laser Tag – Challenge family and friends to a game of indoor laser tag at Laserforce in Woolloongabba. They also have a Laser Labyrinth Maze Challenge and arcade games.
• Chocolate tasting – Take a chocolate walking tour around Brisbane or visit one of the other local chocolate factories or tasting experiences.

Indoor Activities Beyond Brisbane

If you have your own car and have the time to explore beyond the Brisbane city area, there are some seriously fun things to do within an hour or two of Brisbane that are perfect for rainy weather!

Why not take a day trip to seek out some other great indoor attractions

Workshops Rail Museum

For train enthusiasts or anyone who loves to learn a little of the history beyond the city, the Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum is a family-centric day out with plenty to see and do.

Located in North Ipswich, approximately 50 minutes from Brisbane.

There is a massive indoor play area for the kids that includes bikes and ride on play equipment, colouring-in stations and a train station replica perfect for pretend play.

You can find 50 more activities to do in Ipswich here.

Gold Coast Rainy Day Attractions

For a bigger day trip, take a drive to the Gold Coast for a huge variety of fun rainy day activities, from Ripley’s Believe It or Not to Infinity, there are endless options for indoor fun on the Gold Coast.

Check out our complete guide to visiting the Gold Coast when it’s raining for more ideas.

Moreton Bay

If the weather is warm, why not simply ignore the rain and head to beautiful Moreton Island for a day of snorkelling and beach activities?

The average sea temperature is pleasant throughout most of the year and when you’re underwater, it doesn’t make much difference if it’s raining!

And it would be unfortunate to miss your chance to experience Moreton Bay!

Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks is an experience you won’t soon forget although visibility will be impacted during heavy rain!

Indoor Activities Brisbane For Adults

If you are looking for some kid-free fun in Brisbane or beyond, there are plenty of options for you as well. If museums, physical activities and games don’t appeal, why not try one of these options instead:

Brewery Tour

Head to the XXXX Brewery in Milton or one of the many other breweries in Queensland’s southeast for a tour behind the scenes on how they make their beers.

Craft Beer Tour

Take a beer tasting tour around the many craft beer microbreweries popping up around Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs.

Winery Tour

Jump on a bus for the day, hopping between Brisbane wineries and sampling the different wines on offer. Bring your umbrella for running between the bus and the wineries!

Try this Mt Tamborine wine and distillery tour from Brisbane which includes a 2 course lunch as well.

Netherworld Bar & Arcade

Head to Fortitude Valley for a day or night of classic arcade games and retro fun at Netherworld, where you can enjoy a drink or a meal. Here you will find pinball and arcade games from the 70s and beyond, board games and old school gaming consoles.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electric

In Toombul, you will find Archie Brothers with arcade games, bowling, dodgem cars, food and drinks and virtual reality experiences. This is a kid-friendly venue although only until a certain time of day since it is also a licensed bar.

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There is no reason to let rainy days ruin your fun, with so many exciting indoor activities in Brisbane that the whole family can join in with. Whether you are visiting Brisbane for the first time and making the most of the tourist attractions or a Brisbane local who simply wants to find a fun way to spend the wet weather days, you will have plenty to see and do!

Do you have any favourite Brisbane indoor activities we haven’t mentioned? Tell us about them!

For more Brisbane (and beyond) planning ideas check out these articles:

• 25 incredible day trips from Brisbane
• Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary
• Brisbane to Sydney road trip itinerary
• Best holiday rentals in Brisbane
• Best things to do in Queensland
• Best places to visit in Queensland

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