Even the best-laid plans can get washed away by unexpected — or even predictable — rainstorms. But rainy days don’t have to equal boredom. There’s plenty to do, both at home and around town, even on days when it’s pouring down. Instead of going stir-crazy, here are 35 of the best things to do to stave off the gloominess and make the most of rainy days in Brisbane!
1. Get breakfast and a sweet drink at one of Brisbane’s cosiest cafes
Rainy days were meant for warm colours, sweet treats and comforting drinks and Kevin, with its build-your-own breakfast option and quality brews, delivers just that. Housed inside a lovingly revamped Queenslander cottage, the cafe’s inviting aesthetic is only rivalled by the smells of coffee and fine-dining brunch fare that’ll have your mouth watering as soon as you step foot in the space.
📍726 Brunswick St, New Farm
SEE ALSO: The must-visit new cafes and bakeries in Brisbane
2. Curl up with a good book in a library
As one of humanity’s greatest inventions, libraries deserve a spot on almost any list of things to do. There’s no bad day to go to a library, but rainy days are especially good. Plus, if having a vast number of literary worlds at your fingertips wasn’t enough, local libraries also offer many other fun activities, such as book clubs, reading programs, writing workshops and even trivia.
3. Or take your time browsing an indie bookshop
If you’re looking for old-fashioned charm, and dog-eared pages and highlighted passages make you swoon, Archives Fine Books’ labyrinthine, book-filled hallways will be a perfect haven for you. You can easily while away an afternoon among the towering shelves of thick tomes, yellowed antique books and elegant hardbacks, all enveloped by the characteristic smell of old books.
📍40 Charlotte St, Brisbane CBD
4. Check out some awe-inspiring art exhibitions at GOMA
Dive into QAGOMA’s vast permanent collection, made up of over 20,000 artworks, with a focus on contemporary work from Australia, Asia and the Pacific, or take a peek at one of their fascinating temporary exhibitions, including kids’ programs that are fun for the whole family.
📍Grey and Melbourne St, South Brisbane
5. And also visit Queensland Museum in the same building
Delve into the near and distant past and shoot into the future at the Queensland Museum. From archaeological collections and exhibitions on indigenous cultures to their interactive STEM space, you will be too busy soaking in all the knowledge to worry about the rain outside. Make sure you leave some time to indulge in a sweet treat at their café and look through goodies at the gift shop.
📍Grey and Melbourne St, South Brisbane
6. Sink a cold one at a Brisbane brewery
Sea Legs Brewing Co. presents a cover from inclement weather from the get-go: to find it, you need to go under the Story Bridge at Kangaroo Point. The five beers in their core range, Tropical Lager, Dr Swift’s Golden Ale, Sea Legs Pale Ale, Breakaway IPA, and Nitro Milk Stout, are brewed in-house. They’ve got specialty, seasonal and experimental batch brews, as well as traditional pub food like burgers and pizzas to chow down on while you enjoy a cold pint and a board game.
📍89 Main St, Kangaroo Point
SEE MORE: Brisbane Breweries That Are Raising The Bar When It Comes To Beer
7. Take advantage of the clouds by Dining in the Dark
Forget about the outside world for an evening and let your taste buds take charge at C’est Bon. This unique blindfolded dining experience makes an extraordinary adventure out of every bite. Comprised of a secret three-course menu that includes appetiser, main, and dessert, this delightful culinary experience allows you to choose from a meat, seafood or vegetarian menu, to ensure you clear your plate, regardless of the blindfold. Tickets are selling fast on Fever, so don’t miss out!
📍609/611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba
8. Relieve pent-up stress with a spot of axe-throwing
Everyone knows all work and no play can make us dull, so when it all gets to be too much, it’s definitely time to hit an axe-throwing spot. Let off steam trying to hit a bullseye, sip on viking-themed cocktails — some of them served in drinking horns, for maximum ambiance — and indulge in some pizza or BBQ in between turns at Maniax, Australia’s premier axe-throwing company.
📍Basement/79 Adelaide St, Brisbane CBD
9. Take the kids to Australia’s largest indoor play centre
You have to tire the little ones out before bedtime, so why not do it at Area 51, a space of this world? High ropes, trampolines, mega slides, and more, it is every kid’s dream in this alien-themed play centre. But don’t worry, it’s not just for kids! There’s an Alien Bar for parents to relax while they keep an eye on the youngsters and on October 11 it’s Adults Only Night. Go back to childhood and book all tickets here.
📍51 Kingston Road, Underwood, Brisbane
10. Reach new heights with some indoor rock climbing (since you can’t go hiking)
You can still get a full body workout in, even on a rainy day. Equal parts challenging, thrilling and fun, indoor rock climbing at Urban Climb will have you working muscles you didn’t know you had. The climbing gym regularly hosts social meetups, workshops and markets, so there’s plenty to do even with your feet firmly on the ground!
📍Various locations
11. Or maybe indoor skydiving is more your vibe
All the exhilaration of skydiving with no risk of unexpected storms. Brisbane’s first indoor skydiving facility, iFLY, will have you on cloud nine. Sessions include orientation with a trained flight instructor, so you can sit — or rather, float — back and enjoy when it’s time for the fun part: flying gently on a cushion of controlled air.
📍iFLY, 395 Hamilton Rd, Chermside
12. Relax and rejuvenate at a day spa
Sometimes slowing down is just what we need, and when a rainy day in Brisbane all but forces you to, maybe it’s a sign to treat yourself to a spa day. Offering an extensive menu of tailor-made treatments — from facials to full-body massages and everything in between — the W’s AWAY® Spa, with its soothing, curated playlist is sure to leave you glowing.
📍W Brisbane, Level 5/81 N Quay, Brisbane CBD
SEE MORE: 12 super relaxing day spas around Brisbane to find your peace at
13. Get messy and have fun in this paint splatter room
Embrace the messiness of life and de-stress all at once at Splatter and Splash Room. Housed inside DIY Invasion, an art workshop hub just 40 minutes south of Brisbane, this colourful space allows you to choose your own background tunes so you can hurl paint bombs at your loved ones to the perfect soundtrack and revel in the chaos.
📍Shop 4/2 Christensen Rd, Stapylton
14. Head to the cinema to catch a blockbuster new release
Is there a better time to go see a movie than a rainy day? Whether you’re eager to catch upcoming blockbusters or artsy cinema festivals are more your speed, you can choose your own adventure for the next few hours. One thing is for certain: it’s hard to have the blues in front of a huge screen and popcorn or a sweet snack in your hand.
15. Find your new favourite tipple at one of Brisbane’s distilleries
Straight, on the rocks, shaken, stirred. The world’s your olive when it comes to spirits thanks to Brisbane’s many top-notch distilleries, all perfect for a rainy day. As both a distillery and a bar, Nosferatu is an ideal place to lose track of time, as you can sample their award-winning selection of gins before choosing one to take home with you.
📍26 Jeays St, Bowen Hills
16. Catch a candlelit ballet in a historic building
All the magic of Candlelight concerts, accompanied and elevated by movement. Candlelight Ballet will plunge you into a multi-sensory musical experience of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and other masterpieces, as you fall under the spell of ballet in St. John’s Cathedral under the gentle glow of candlelight. Prepare to be dazzled: get your tickets on Fever’s website.
📍373 Ann St, Brisbane CBD
17. Unleash your inner child at this arcade bar
Feeling lucky despite the weather? Try your hand at any of the neon-lit games at B. Lucky & Sons, the mysterious arcade bar hidden behind a pawn shop facade. Gamers or newbies are equally welcome because win or lose, a fun time is all but guaranteed, with classic carnival and arcade games, and delicious specialty drinks to either soothe or celebrate.
📍Various locations
18. Dine out at one of Brisbane’s best restaurants
Food is always a good idea. And when you’re already planning to stay indoors, why not take the opportunity to indulge your palate? No matter what floats your boat, Brisbane’s food scene is unparalleled, and you can find gems like Za Za Ta, known as one of Queensland best vegetarian restaurants, around every corner.
📍1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
SEE MORE: Indulge in Comfort Food in Brisbane
19. Learn more about our solar system at the Planetarium
The Universe is a fascinating place, and with its home in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-Tha, Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium will be sure to remind you of just that. On top of their usual cosmic offerings, from now until December, stargazers and music lovers can be wowed by Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon full-dome spatial experience.
📍Mount Coot-Tha Rd, Mount Coot-Tha
20. Gather the gang for a game of indoor golf
It may not be the green, but you can still put your club-swinging skills to the test at X-Golf, an indoor golfing simulator that boasts VR gaming, a selection of tasty food, and competitions, as well as their cutting-edge golfing experience, of course. Whether you’re an experienced golfer or a novice, the stunning graphics will help drive the gloom away.
📍Various locations
21. Experience your own horror movie at an escape room
Find out a whole new meaning to the words “stuck inside”. As a fun challenge and bonding experience — as long as you’re not too competitive, that is — escape rooms are an ideal way to spend a rainy day in Brisbane. With ten different themed rooms to choose from, Fox in Box promises and delivers everything from head-scratching puzzles to suspenseful mysteries.
📍Level 1/150 Edward St, Brisbane CBD
22. Create a masterpiece at a Paint and Sip class
Unleash your pent-up energy through brushstrokes and colour at a paint and sip class. Everything, from materials to instruction, will be provided for you, so as long as you bring your imagination — and maybe some drinks and nibbles, since it’s BYO — you’re all set to make something truly special! Book your session on Fever.
📍Shop 2B 826 Ann Street, Brisbane CBD
23. Get an adrenaline rush at an indoor go-karting track
Leave the clouds in the dust and channel your inner Mario racing down a 425m adrenalin-pumping track at Slideways Go Karting. Thanks to the two-storey track’s unique surface, you’ll able to drift, Fast & Furious-style, and even try to beat the fastest time of the month. Feel the thrill rushing down the high-speed ramp and overtake your competitors. Blue shells not included.
📍Various locations
24. Enjoy a comedy show or theatre production at QPAC
Live entertainment has the power to lift any mood no matter how bleak. Side-splitting comedies, exquisite ballet and uplifting musicals await at QPAC, putting on showstopping performances day in and day out. See their program and get your tickets for any of their spectacular shows here!
📍Cultural Precinct Cnr Grey, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
25. Take a cooking masterclass
Finding the time to learn new skills can be difficult in our fast-paced lives, so why not use the opportunity of a slower rainy day in Brisbane to learn from the best. At Vanilla Zulu, you’ll have the chance to learn everything from the basics with a complete cooking course or master a specific cuisine, with options like Rustic Italian and Authentic Thai for you to choose from.
📍Lower Ground Floor, 92 Commercial Rd, Teneriffe
26. Or if you’re already a master chef, learn how to make your own gin
The aptly named Gin School will have you mixing up a storm after one of their comprehensive 3-hour classes. With 180 botanicals to chose from, you can truly make the gin your own and then take it home, but only after you have indulged in cocktails and charcuterie platters in their luxurious spice lounge. Book your class here!
📍109 Edward St, Brisbane CBD
27. Binge a new show on Netflix
Why mess with a classic? Sometimes all you need to be happy are snacks, a comfy couch, and the newest season of your guilty pleasure — we’re not naming names — to binge watch. Either that or you can kill time by scrolling endlessly through every genre only to settle on rewatching your favourite film, the one you can quote in its entirety, once again.
28. Find a hidden bar
Travel through time for some yummy cocktails at Mrs J. Rabbits, one of Brisbane’s many hidden bars. Awaiting you through a wardrobe, à la Narnia, getting into this speakeasy will have you feeling like the bee’s knees, as you even need a password to get in. Accompany one of their vintage-inspired cocktails with a charcuterie board for a truly cosy night from a different era.
📍23 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
29. Visit a pink space to brighten up your day
Put your rose-coloured sunnies on! No one can be sad in a place like Ping Pong, the contemporary Thai restaurant with the most Insta-worthy interior. But don’t worry, it’s not just about looks. Their authentic Thai menu with a modern twist is a feast for the senses, and if it all looks too good to pass up you can even try a little bit of everything with their Ping Pong Feast.
📍76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead
SEE MORE: 6 Perfectly Insta-Worthy Pink Places In Brisbane
30. Forget the dim skies and explore a virtual reality room
Escapism has never been more fun! Zero Latency VR will immerse you in worlds far from your own, whether it’s fighting off creepy zombies with your group, narrowly escaping killer robots or even turning on each other as you split into teams, the real world and its rainy weather will pale in comparison to battling for your life… at least for the next half hour.
📍Various locations
31. Stay at a hotel in the city
Nothing like a staycation to make you feel brand new, no matter what the sky looks like. Named the second-best in Australia by the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, the luxurious Emporium Hotel South Bank will have you romanticising the rain in no time.
📍267 Grey St, South Brisbane
32. Take up a yoga class
Namast-ay home and take a yoga class from the comfort of your own living room. FORME Yoga offers both live and on-demand instruction so can practise your breathing, being present, and all the inner peace a good session can bring at a time that’s convenient for you. Plus, could there be anything more soothing than the sound of rain in the background while doing yoga?
33. Feel the magic at this sultry stage show
Fire up the group chat and book your spot for an unforgettable night out with Australia’s top-rated male revue, Magic Men. This electrifying two-hour show features some of Brisbane’s hottest hunks, known for their incredible moves and equally impressive physiques. If you’re in the mood for a heart-pounding night out that promises pure entertainment, this is the weekend event for you. Find out more — and book your tickets — here.
📍Wonderland Brisbane, 633 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
34. Upskill with a round of roller skating
Whether fitness, recreation or curiosity bring you to RollerFit, it’s a great place to escape the rain and you’ll be zooming around — possibly on wobbly legs, if you’re a beginner — before you know it! The best part is, you can choose to learn whatever skill you fancy most, be that fitness exercises and basic skating skills, roller dance or even more artistic figure skating.
📍Various locations
35. Embrace the chilly weather and go ice skating
In defiance of our wonderful mild climate, Iceworld allows Brisbanites to take part in this coolest of sports. Gather your friends, lace up your skates, and get ready to shred the ice… or possibly just inch forward on shaky legs if it’s your first time, but you won’t know until you try!
📍1179 Beaudesert Rd, Acacia Ridge / 2304 Sandgate Rd, Boondall
36. Watch the rain pour while staying dry at a rooftop bar
Nothing like feeling on top of the world to make the rain go away… at least, metaphorically. As you gaze out at the cityscape with one of Sixteen Antler’s excellent cocktails in your hand and snack on some glorious tapas, the moody weather will become a movie-worthy backdrop for an evening to remember, especially when there’s live music playing, every Thursday through Saturday from 5pm.
📍Pullman & Mercure Hotel, Level 16, Cnr Ann & Roma St, Brisbane CBD