33 Exciting Sunshine Coast Indoor Activities & Rainy Day Fun

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Are you looking for Sunshine Coast indoor activities for a rainy day? When you hear “Sunshine Coast”, images of sunny beaches, crystal-clear water, and palm trees might come to mind. And while that is often the case, the weather is not always perfect. Rainy days happen, and they can put a damper on your plans. 

But don’t worry, because the Sunshine Coast has plenty of indoor activities that will keep you entertained and dry.

As Sunny Coast regulars, we’ve put together a list of 33 exciting indoor activities and wet weather activities that brave the weather, that make the most of your rainy day. So you can still enjoy a memorable family holiday, without letting bad weather ruin your adventures!

Best family accommodation on the Sunshine Coast

sunshine coast beach on a rainy day

Fun Sunshine Coast Indoor Activities For A Rainy Day

While the Sunshine Coast is definitely a favourite destination in Queensland (and one of ours), from beaches to national parks and some of the most beautiful natural scenery along Australia’s East Coast, it’s loaded with indoor attractions too.

These rainy-day activities on the Sunshine Coast are equally great for beating the heat on an especially hot day or keeping warm on the coldest of winter days too. Plus some of these Sunshine Coast activities are amongst the most popular attractions in the region too! 

This list includes fun things to do on the Sunshine Coast with kids and plenty of activities for adults too!

1. Enjoy Indoor Mini Golf at Holey Moley

Why not try your hand at mini golf? Holey Moley provides the perfect rainy day activity for both young and old. This vibrant and quirky indoor putt-putt course will keep the whole family entertained as you putt through challenging obstacles and immersive themed zones. 

And it’s not just mini-golf to fill your time at Holey Moley

  • Location: Big Top Shopping Centre, 12 – 20 Ocean St, Maroochydore
  • Opening Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Kids are allowed until 9 pm each day
  • Price: Various packages available

2. The Ginger Factory

The Ginger Factory is a fun family attraction that is great for all ages. Plus you can learn all about the fascinating world of ginger!

Take a guided tour of the Budgerim ginger factory where you can learn about growing and harvesting ginger before it is made into a variety of different products.

You can sample a few of ginger products while you’re here. After all, this is where you will find the largest selection of Buderim ginger products.

Then explore the rest of the attractions at The Ginger Factory including a large mini golf course, maze, animal nursery and more. You can easily spend an entire day here having fun with your family.

  • Location: 50 Pioneer Road Yandina
  • Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
  • Price: Prices vary depending on the attraction/tour. Free admission to the cafe & shop. Book discounted tickets online here

3. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium

kids and their father in ocean tunnel at sea life sunshine coast

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is located at The Wharf Mooloolaba and is a family attraction on the Sunshine Coast that has been around for as long as I can remember.

It went by a different name when I was a kid, UnderWater World Mooloolaba, but it remains a popular attraction to this day.

Inside the aquarium, you will find a touch zone as you first walk in, with staff assisting you with feeling some of the sea creatures, such as starfish and sea cucumbers and answering questions you might have. 

The most well-known attraction at SEA LIFE Mooloolaba is the ocean tunnel – a walk-through aquarium tunnel where you can watch fish, sharks and rays swimming alongside you and over your head. 

There is also a seal talk, a penguin exhibit and loads of other marine life exhibits and activities. There is an indoor playground too, that younger kids will love. Our girls were just a little too big last visit. It is mostly aimed at toddlers and younger children. 

A visit to the aquarium will easily fill in a couple of hours of your day and its location is perfect for lunch before or afterwards at The Wharf. 

  • Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba Wharf
  • Opening Hours: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
  • Price: $36 per adult | $24.80 per child (3-15) – Book your tickets online

4. Play Ten Pin At Strike Bowling Alley

Right next door to Holey Moley, they also have Strike Bowling, to play a round or 3 of ten pin bowling.

But bowling isn’t the only thing on offer at Strike. There’s also an escape room, karaoke, and cocktail bar so there’s something to entertain the whole family. Along with food of course!

  • Location: Big Top Shopping Centre, 12 – 20 Ocean St, Maroochydore
  • Opening Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Kids are allowed until 9 pm each day
  • Price: Various packages available

5. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

In case you want to make a full day of gaming and indoor family fun, alongside Strike and Holey Moley is also Archie Bros –  a gaming arcade with delicious food and drink.

The gaming arcade brings a little retro fun with their circus-themed fun, with classic arcade games, ticket redemption games, bumper cars, virtual reality and laser tag. They’ve even got a simulated thrill ride.

You can get combined packages incorporating a mix of Holey Moley mini golf, Strike Bowling and the arcade activities, or just do a single activity if you only want to fill in an hour or two. They are all part of the Funlab brands of entertainment. 

  • Location: Big Top Shopping Centre, 12 – 20 Ocean St, Maroochydore
  • Opening Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Kids are allowed until 9 pm each day
  • Price: Various packages available

6. Bli Bli Sunshine Castle 

sunshine castle in bli bli

Located in Bli Bli, Sunshine Castle is a must-visit for anyone who loves unique attractions and history. The medieval-themed castle is full of historical displays and structures.

You can explore the castle and grounds on a self-guided tour and treasure hunt aimed at making the experience more exciting for kids. 

There is an Interactive Armour Display, a doll museum, a Fairytale Walk & Model Train Railway, along with many other interesting attractions to discover.

  • Location: 292-296 David Low Way, Bli Bli 
  • Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and 10 am to 3 pm Sundays
  • Price: $8 General Admission per person

7. Queensland Air Museum 

If you’re a fan of aviation, the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. The museum features a collection of more than 75 restored aircrafts, including planes from World War II and the Vietnam War, plus civilian aircraft.

Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits and displays, including engines, artefacts, and other aviation displays. The museum also offers guided tours and hosts regular events.

  • Location: 7 Pathfinder Drive, Caloundra
  • Opening Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm
  • Price: $25 for adults, $12.50 for kids and $60 for a family of 2A & up to 3 kids under 15

8. Caloundra Rollerdome

Ready for a bit of retro fun? For a fun and active indoor activity, head to the Caloundra Rollerdome.

The Rollerdome features a large skating rink and offers roller skating and rollerblading sessions for all ages and skill levels. The venue also hosts themed skating events, including disco nights and glow-in-the-dark sessions. 

If you’re feeling hungry, the Rollerdome also has a café that serves up hot drinks, snacks, and meals. The kids will love the skating experience and if you’re up for the challenge, why let the kids have all the fun!

  • Location: 19 Caloundra Rd, Caloundra West 
  • Opening Hours: Visit their website for session times
  • Price: From $14.50 per session

9. Rockit Climbing Gym

For a different kind of indoor adventure, check out the Rockit Climbing Gym in Warana.

The indoor rock climbing centre on the Sunshine Coast features a range of climbing walls and obstacles, including bouldering walls and moonboard, vertical walls, and top rope courses. 

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, this indoor challenge will definitely have you working off some of the delicious food you’ve been sampling around the Sunny Coast! The Rockit Climbing Gym also offers classes and workshops for absolute beginners and those looking to improve their skills.

  • Location: 1/37 Premier Cct, Warana
  • Opening Hours: Visit their website for session times
  • Price: From $15.95 for adults and $13.50 for kids

10. Escape the Rain at The Wharf Mooloolaba

ice cream at the wharf mooloolaba

If you’ve had your fill of attractions and excitement, you might be ready for a good meal and some relaxing time spent by the water. One of our favourite places to dine on the Sunshine Coast is at The Wharf Mooloolaba.

It’s not the cheapest place around, but that’s somewhat of a given with it’s waterfront location, but there is some really great food on offer. This lively waterfront precinct has something for everyone, with a variety of different cuisines to sample.

You can also browse the local boutiques and gift shops, enjoy a drink at one of the bars and a yummy gelato ice cream, or simply take in the stunning views.

  • Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
  • Opening Hours: Daily until late

11. Eat Cheese At Maleny Cheese Factory

view from front of maleny cheese

If you love cheese (who doesn’t?) then a stop at Maleny Cheese should definitely be in your plans! No matter the weather. 

Here you can dine in the cafe and sample cheeseboards or dishes made with their cheeses. Or grab some cheeses to take home with you. Their main focus is on cheddars and they have a mini take-home size that’s perfect if you want to grab a few to take with you. They also have their own yogurt.

  • Location: 1 Clifford St, Balmoral Ridge
  • Opening Hours: 10 am until 3 pm daily
  • Price: Varied

12. Sample Gourmet Food In The Sunshine Coast Hinterland

front of fudgyboombahs fudge shop in montville

Why just stop at cheese when you’re in the Sunshine Coast hinterland? This region is a foodie delight with so many places to stop and sample local produce and artisan foods. 

Montville and Maleny are both great places to do this with everything from handmade fudge, cheese, wine, fresh produce and sweets.

Some of our favourite places to visit are Maleny Food Co, with a gazillion types of cheese and deli products, coffee and ice cream. There’s also Maleny Chocolate Co if you’re a fan of discovering Australian artesian chocolates and Maleny Dairies.

In Maleny, Fudgyboombahs is always one of our stops with fudge and handmade sweets. Brouhaha Brewery is also great if you want craft beers. They have a great dining menu too!

For even more gourmet foods, head to the Eumundi Markets and taste your way around the stalls. 

13. Rush Adventureland 

Head to the Sunshine Coast indoor playground for some fun with the kids, while keeping dry indoors. 

Rush Adventureland is located in Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore and is a massive multi-level soft-play indoor playground. There is the Rush Coast, the first indoor air coaster of its kind in Australia, for starters! Plus ninja and high ropes courses.

You will also find climbing walls, a virtual reality simulator and bumper cars plus a toddler-friendly playground for the younger children. There is also a large cafe with a family-friendly menu for parents to sit down and relax.

As you can imagine, Rush Adventureland is very popular during school holidays and the summer peak season, so make sure you book ahead!

  • Location: Shop 10A/50 Plaza Parade, Maroochydore
  • Opening Hours: 9 am until 4 pm daily
  • Price: Starting from $12 for toddlers

14. The Big Boing Trampoline Park

If you’re looking for the best fun places indoors for the kids to let off some steam you can’t really go past an indoor trampoline park! And Big Boing is definitely a great choice!

They run 60-minute sessions throughout the day for all ages, with more than 60 interconnected trampolines, basketball hoops, a ninja course and foam pits, you’re sure to have a lot of fun. 

This is definitely one of the best places for the whole family to get involved in the excitement too.

  • Location: 24C Innovation Parkway, Birtinya
  • Opening Hours: 9 am until 2:30 pm daily during school term & 4:15 pm on school holidays and Saturdays
  • Price: Starting from $7.50 an hour for toddlers & $13 an hour for kids

Embrace The Rain With These Outdoor Activities

If you are visiting the Sunshine Coast in summer and the weather is warm despite the rain, then why hide inside when you can still enjoy the great outdoors? A little rain never hurt anyone (although a thunderstorm can, so avoid those). 

These outdoor activities are perfect for warm rainy days on the Sunshine Coast with fun activities that embrace the weather, since you’re only going to get wet anyway:

15. Head To An Aqua Park

Water activities are great for rainy days since you’re already planning to get soaked and an aqua park is so much fun no matter the weather! 

There are 2 aqua parks on the Sunshine Coast! One is in Bli Bli and the other is in Coolum.

This is definitely one of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast in during hot weather, regardless of rain, with a massive inflatable obstacle course to work your way around. There are water slides, climbing obstacles, platforms and more. 

  • Location: Aqua Park Coolum Blast Park, 60 Junction Dr, Coolum Beach & Bli Bli Park, 367 David Low Way, Bli Bli
  • Opening Hours: Open 10 am to 5 pm daily from 10 September until 1 May and weekends only for the rest of the year.
  • Price: $25 per person per 50-minute session

16. Try Some Watersports

Hire a SUP or a kayak, a surfboard or a canoe and head out for some time on the water in one of the many Sunshine Coast rivers, canals or beaches, like the Noosa River or learn to surf at Noosa Main Beach. 

There are plenty of popular tourist areas that offer equipment hire by the hour, so you could make the most of the beautiful waterways even when the weather sucks!

17. Take An Aquaduck Tour

aquaduck sunshine coast amphibious vehicle going into water
Photo credit – Aquaduck Sunshine Coast

The Aquaduck Sunshine Coast is one of the coolest ways to see the Sunny Coast combining both a land and water tour in one. The amphibious vehicle will take you on a tour of Mooloolaba and its surroundings, with the water portion including a trip around the marina.

While you do have a roof over your head and will stay mostly dry from the rain, even on a sunny day it’s not uncommon for you to get splashed now and again when you’re cruising around the water. 

You will see attractions such as Point Cartright Lighthouse, the fish market, Mooloolah River, Minyama, and mansions along the canals! Plus often the kids will get a chance to be the skipper on the boat for a fun interactive experience.

This tour is suitable for all ages, babies included!

  • Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba Wharf (departs from the front of Sea Life)
  • Opening Hours: Tours run 10 am, 11:15 am, 12:30 pm, 1:45 pm, 3 pm, and 4:15 pm on Monday, Thursday or Friday and 7 days during school holidays.
  • Price: $45 per adult, $35 per child (3-15), $149 for a family of 4 – Book discounted tickets online here

18. Hire A Pontoon On The Maroochy River

YouTube video

We had an unexpected rainy day when hiring a pontoon boat for the day to cruise around the Maroochydore River. Not ideal, but we still had an amazing day!

You can hire a pontoon with a toilet and BBQ for a half or full day, along with fishing gear and bait. You can also do this on Noosa River, and we have done so before.

Our boat had plastic curtains to block out the rain when it got really heavy but it didn’t stop us from enjoying a day on the water, catching fish and having our BBQ lunch along the river.

  • Location: Swan Boat Hire is located opposite 71 Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore
  • Opening Hours: Bookings required
  • Price: From $180 for 2 hours boat hire.

19. Kayak The Noosa Everglades

aerial view of the noosa everglades

Paddle through the serene waterways of Noosa Everglades for an unforgettable adventure. This is an experience you can have nowhere else in the world since the only other Everglades system is in Florida… and it has alligators! 

Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way as you experience the Sunshine Coast from a new perspective, winding through the Everglades system. 

If you’d rather stay mostly dry, they do have Everglades cruises as well, which are better suited if you are visiting the Sunshine Coast with young kids. 

20. Explore The Rock Pools

rocky beach area near Kings beach in caloundra during high tide
Kings Beach, Caloundra

In the summer months, it can be fun to throw on a poncho or your swimmers and head down to one of the beautiful beaches to see what you can find in the rock pools during low tide. This is usually a lot of fun for kids of all ages.

Some great spots to explore rock pools include:

  • Kings Beach in Caloundra
  • Point Cartwright in Buddina
  • Shelly Beach in Caloundra 
  • Mooloolaba Beach 

21. The Big Kart Track Go Karting

If you are looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast with teens or just for the adults, go-karting is totally possible. The Big Kart Track runs during most weather, including wet weather track options!

The Big Kart Track is located in Landsborough and is the largest commercial track in Australia with karts that go up to 70km per hour.

Drivers need to be at least 12 years old and over 152cm, so this isn’t an activity for younger kids. 

  • Location: 2310 Steve Irwin Way, Landsborough
  • Opening Hours: Open 9 am to 5 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday & Saturday
  • Price: Prices start at $50 for 15 minutes per person.

22. Australia Zoo

robert irwin feeding a crocodile at australia zoo

If you are visiting the Sunshine Coast for the first time or you’re not sure when you might be back, a visit to Australia Zoo is worth braving the rain for! 

This is one of the best places to visit with all ages, and while you might not have quite as many animal encounters as you would on a dry day, there will still be plenty to see and do!

Australia Zoo is one of the most popular wildlife parks in Australia and for good reason. The place is huge and there are plenty of kids’ activities to go with the wildlife spotting. 

There’s even a water park and splash play area if you’re visiting during the hot months, so don’t forget to pack swimmers and towels for the kids.

Tip: Get some plastic ponchos from a supermarket or discount store as they will be cheaper than the ones you get at the zoo gift shop!

  • Location: 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah
  • Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
  • Price: $65 per adult | $40 per child (3-14) | $192 per family of 4

More Fun Rainy Day Activities On The Sunshine Coast

In case you’ve got more time to spare and you’ve done a lot of the fun tourist attractions on the Sunshine Coast, here are a few more ideas to keep the entire family busy while the weather clears:

  • Shopping at Sunshine Plaza – The largest shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast
  • See a movie at the cinemas
  • Head to Timezone for more arcade fun
  • Visit one of the Sunshine Coast Libraries
  • Aussie World theme park
  • Dine at Banana Bender Pub
  • Try an escape room like Red Lock Escape Rooms at Sunshine Plaza
  • Watch live music at an entertainment venue or pub
  • See native birds & tropical gardens at Maleny Bird World 
  • Sample food at The Big Pineapple
  • See a performance at The Events Centre in Caloundra

Even if Mother Nature is doing her best to ruin your plans, the Sunshine Coast is still one of the most beautiful places to visit with kids and there are so many great family attractions and activities to keep you busy, regardless of what plans the weather has!

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