Boredom busters for wet days
Indoor activities for rainy or hot days in Brisbane
With our summer season having its usual debate between scorching days and sudden rain, we have compiled some entertaining activity ideas that are all indoor – safe from downpours and with the bonus of aircon!
Start a new creative endeavour
Get creative in the comfort of your own home! You could attempt a new recipe or hold a cooking competition using only ingredients you already have – whoever has the most unique but delicious combo wins.
Other options include teaching yourself something from YouTube videos like a new art medium or craft, learn to play an instrument, or a specific dance style. Restyling/rearranging a room or returning to an old hobby you haven’t picked up in a while are also go-to options.
Go to the movies
With many cinemas nearby, heading to the movies will always be a classic rainy day entertainment choice.
Local cinemas include: (1) Reading Cinemas Newmarket – with Gold Class seats, food options, and lounge; (2) Five Star Cinemas, Red Hill – comfortable, reclining seats and food options in a renovated roller-skating rink building; (3) Blue Room Cinebar, Rosalie – a unique experience with in-cinema dining and a bar; (4) Event Cinemas Indooroopilly – a range of experiences including Gold Class, V-MAX, and 3D movie options and a wide range of snack choices.
www.readingcinemas.com.au/movies/now-showing
www.fivestarcinemas.com.au/red-hill
www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/Indooroopilly
www.cinebar.com.au/sites/Cinebar-Rosalie-Village/0001
Spend time at the library
Apart from being a great place to find new book favourites, many libraries hold small events, workshops, and talks, as well as having rentable audiobooks and accessible computers. A perfect place to relax and escape the rain or heat.
Local libraries: (1) Ashgrove Library (note: closed now until mid-March 2026 for renovations); (2) Mitchelton Library; (3) Everton Park Library; (4) Grange Library; (5) Arana Hills Library (will be closed for renovations from after Easter till late June 2026); (6) Indooroopilly Library; (7) Kenmore Library; and (8) the State Library of Queensland.
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-and-facilities/libraries/library-locations
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries/Locations/Arana-Hills
Brisbane City Indoors
Head to the city for a cool day out at a museum, art gallery, or for something more unique visit Dopamine Land – an immersive experience that combines media, technology, and play in colourful installations.
Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA):
www.qagoma.qld.gov.au
Museum of Brisbane:
www.museumofbrisbane.com.au
Institute of Modern Art:
www.ima.org.au
Dopamine Land:
www.dopaminelandexperience.com/brisbane
Visit Indoor Game and Activity Centres
There’s all kinds of playful activities around Brisbane. Some ideas for play or friendly competition include laser tag, trampoline parks, indoor go carting, indoor bowling, escape rooms, karaoke, and VR gaming.
Laser Tag & more:
www.holeymoley.com.au/locations/brisbane-city
Chipmunks Indoor Playground:
www.chipmunksplayland.com.au/everton-park
Trampoline Parks:
www.bounceinc.com.au/venues/macgregor
www.urban-xtreme.com.au
Go Karting & more:
www.gokartingbrisbane.com.au
www.gameoverbrisbane.com.au
Ten Pin Bowling & more:
www.strikebowling.com.au/locations/strike-brisbane-city
Indoor Mini Golf:
www.holeymoley.com.au/locations/fortitude-valley
Escape Rooms:
www.prisonislandexperience.com/brisbane
www.foxinaboxbrisbane.com
VR Gaming:
www.meta3vr.com.au
Brisbane City Council Events
If you’re looking for something to do with a group, browse the events, workshops, and performances listed on Brisbane City Council’s website for indoor activities: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/events-arts-and-culture/what-s-on-in-brisbane
Local Community Group Activities
Many local community groups run regular events and activities you can join in!
The Gap She Shed has many weekly activities, offering women the opportunity to connect while having fun:
www.thegapsheshed.wixsite.com/home/calendar
The BrisWest Centre provides activities and services people aged 50+ years:
www.briswestcentre.com.au
Ashgrove/The Gap Men’s Shed Inc often has events for men – with subgroups for particular interests. Become involved as a member or join in as a visitor:
www.ashgrovethegapshed.com/events
For more ideas for local community group activities – please read our articles in The Western Echo or here on our website.
Author: Isabel Becker
Images courtesy of: Melanie Grevis-James, Kym Bierenbroodspot, and Unsplash
