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Queensland
Indoor activities on the Gold Coast during winter and rain
Jessica Taylor Yates
June 06, 2022
Looking for activities on the Gold Coast that aren’t swimming or surfing? With plenty of indoor entertainment, you can still have a great time without the sunshine.
The Gold Coast is known as the place to hang by the beach, play in the pool, and enjoying the weather poolside at a resort. That said, even though their winters are milder than those in Victoria, you can still be greeted by winds and rain that won’t allow for a picturesque pool party.
Luckily, the Gold Coast is a vibrant city packed with a range of fun activities for visitors young and old.
Here’s a list of the best things to do on the Gold Coast when it’s cold and raining.
What to do on the Gold Coast when it’s raining
ArtVo Gold Coast
More than just an art gallery, at ArtVo Gold Coast, immerse yourself in the paintings you see! The ‘trick art gallery’ features 3D murals and over 80 photo opportunities for families and friends to pose amongst optical illusions.
Jump on a raft from Titanic, fight dragons or insert yourself in the magic of Harry Potter at this indoor fun attraction for the whole family.
All ages.
Infinity Attraction
An attraction like no other, INFINITY Attraction is an indoor world of multi-sensory environments and illusions. Walk through a room of spatial illusions, immerse yourself in light and sound, and experience spectacular effects that invoke the senses through the multi-room fun house.
Ages 8 and up.
Warner Bros. MovieWorld
While your first thought may not be theme parks, if it’s too cold for the beach but not raining, it might be the perfect time to check out a theme park on the Gold Coast.
At Warner Bros. MovieWorld, meet your favourite Looney Tunes at the Star Parade, head inside for the Scoob! 4D Experience, marvel at Hollywood stunt drivers, and shoot lasers on Justice League 3D – The Ride.
Height limits apply for certain rides and experiences.
Topgolf Gold Coast
While walking around on the green in the rain doesn’t sound like much fun, at Topgolf Gold Coast, you’re undercover, where you and your group can hang out in a private bay with food, drink, TVs, music, and of course – an open driving range.
Designed for amateur and veteran players, old and young can have fun hitting microchipped golf balls into giant targets that are electronically scored. It’s a great way to get into the sport while having a lot of fun.
Parental supervision is required.
Draculas Cabaret Dinner and Show
Being entertained by the undead while feasting on a three-course meal? Yes please!
Featuring a mix of comedy, burlesque, music, dance and performance, take a ghost train ride to an evening full of laughs, scares, and crazy characters at the Draculas Cabaret Dinner and Show – and don’t forget a drink at the Graveyard Cocktail Lounge.
Ages 15 and up.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Gold Coast
Want to go sky diving without having to ascend to 14,000 feet? Don your suit, goggles and a helmet, and get the feeling of a free fall – in an indoor glass wind tunnel.
This realistic iFLY Indoor Skydiving experience even lets you choose photos and videos of your adventure to share on your socials.
Ages 3 and up.
Gold Coast Wax Museum
Fancy meeting Captain Jack Sparrow? How about Albert Einstein? At the Gold Coast Wax Museum, get photos with over 110 life-size wax figures of your favourite celebrities, characters, and notable figures from history.
Including a guided tour through the Chamber of Horrors, the museum also features replicas of Australian dioramas and even the British Crown Jewels. Your friends will be amazed that you met so many famous people in one place!
All ages.
Have fun taking photos for hours at ArtVo on the Gold Coast.
Topgolf is something different and fun for all ages.
Laugh, dance and singalong at a Draculas Cabaret Show.
Take flight and go indoor skydiving with iFly.
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Holey Moley Golf Club
Taking the mini-golf world by storm, Holey Moley has hit the Gold Coast. Featuring an indoor mini-golf course, private karaoke rooms, bar and food, Holey Moley is an experience for all ages day or night, with holes featuring movie sets, games, 90s board game favourites and more.
No under 18's after 9:00pm. Open Sunday - Thursday, and 8 pm Friday - Saturday.
Illusions Magic Show
Abracadabra, it’s showtime! At the Illusions Magic Show, prepare to be wowed with spectacular tricks, stunts, mind-reading, levitation and illusions that will leave you with the only logical conclusion that it must be magic.
Hosted in Sanctuary Cove, those looking for a bite to eat can upgrade with a dinner package, snacks and drinks.
Ages 3 and up.
Planet Chill Ice Skating
Ice skating on the Gold Coast? It sounds perplexing, but this indoor attraction brings the ice to the sunshine state! At Planet Chill, take the family for a glide on the ice, or enjoy a round of air hockey or pool in the indoor games section.
Ages 2 and up are allowed on the ice.
Lumber Punks Axe Throwing
Looking for a date with a difference? Head to Lumber Punks Axe Throwing, which is exactly what it sounds like – throwing axes at targets in your own private lane.
With full training and coaching, pumping tunes and a safe indoor environment, shake it off with the toss of a tomahawk and let out your inner lumberjack.
Ages 14 (supervised) and up.
BOUNCE
Need to let out a bunch of that boundless energy kids seem to have? Take them to BOUNCE, an indoor trampoling centre where kids (and kids at heart) can jump, bounce, slam dunk, play trampoline dodgeball, cliff-jump and more. There’s even a 'miniBOUNCE Zone' for little ones to have fun safely in their own little ball pit with you.
Ages 6 months and up.
VR Experiences
Nothing screams rainy day activity like an immersive VR experience. If you fancy yourself a character in Ready Player One, head to one of the VR experiences around the Gold Coast.
Escape rooms have become a staple indoor activity, with thousands popping up all over the world and guides for fans on the best escape room tips and tactics used for victory. On the Gold Coast, avid puzzle solvers can try their hand at the Padlock'd. Whether it’s stealing a prized relic from a museum or shutting down a Top Secret Mission in the Safe House, teams will need to race against time to find their escape.
Over at The Escape Hunt Experience, team members must band together, where they may look to help solve a murder or even get out of being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. It’s fun for all as you band together to escape – if you can.
Over 16 guardian to be present.
Have a go at axe throwing with Lumber Punks.
Take a ride on Draculas ghost train.
Indulge in a cosy meal at the RACV Royal Pines Resort.
The cinema is the classic rainy day activity.
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Hard Rock Café
Just because you’re hanging inside doesn’t mean you can’t have a rollicking good night out on the Gold Coast. At the Hard Rock Café, dine at a musical institution, featuring live music, rock n’ roll memorabilia, a delectable American menu, and a rocking souvenir store.
All ages.
Art galleries
Get some culture on the coast with a visit to one of the city’s premiere art galleries. Head to HOTA, the ‘Home of the arts,’ which features roving exhibitions, workshops and performances; or drop by 19 Karen, the largest contemporary art gallery on the Gold Coast.
All ages.
Have a pamper
Just because it’s not sunny doesn’t mean you’re not on a holiday! Instead of lying by the pool, why not indulge in some relaxation by booking in a pamper session – a massage, day spa and a bit of ‘me-time’ will leave you feeling fresh and relaxed.
The cinema
The classic rainy-day activity. Surfers Paradise is home to a range of cinemas with the latest releases. RACV Members save on movie tickets.
The mall
Shopping is a great way to pass the time, and you may even pick up a discount souvenir (or 10) with an eGift card. The largest mall in Surfer’s Paradise is Pacific Fair, with over 400 shops to explore.
Game Over Gold Coast
Ready for an indoor adventure like no other? Head on down to Game Over Gold Coast, where you’ll enjoy the day buzzing around go-kart tracks, chasing down points in laser tag, swinging the zip coaster, swinging your putt putt stick, and reaching new heights on the giant indoor climbing wall.
With no time to rest, there’s an exhilarating adrenaline-filled activity for everyone – until it’s Game Over.
