The Gold Coast lives up to its exuberant name...most of the time. But even the GC is prone to rainy outbursts every now and then, leaving us a little unsure what to do with ourselves.
While we all love a good Netflix binge, if you’re ready to make the most of your rainy day—here are the best things to do on the Gold Coast when it rains.
1. Fancy yourself a bit of a master chef? Test your culinary skills by joining a cooking class at family-owned Italian restaurant, Salt Meats Cheese. The pasta masterclass is our pick—a fun, hands on, three-hour experience suitable for beginners and concludes with a pasta lunch and a glass of wine (phew!). Still hungry? Icon Cooking School at The Kitchens has a ridic selection of offerings from making sushi, paella, apple strudel and macarons, to how to cook the perfect steak.
2. Put your plaid shirt and lumberjack beard to good use for once—throw an axe at Lumber Punks in Miami. Seriously, it’s one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast when it rains.
3. Bad weather certainly doesn’t mean being stuck inside suffering from cabin fever, so why not embrace Mother Nature when she’s having a tantrum? Pack up the car and head for Lamington National Park’s Birra Burra or O’Rielly’s. Misty and moody under cloud cover, there’s a network of beautiful tracks in the Gold Coast hinterland that really come to life on dreary days. There’ll be very few people to share the space with, everything is lush, sweat patches are rare due to the cooler mountain weather and fresh rain means those waterfalls will be rushing, too!
4. Treat yourself to a pamper package at some of the Gold Coast’s best day spas, like Burleigh’s adorable The Bathhouse or finally try floating for yourself at Freedom Float Centre.
5. Order an espresso martini with a side of golf! One of the best things to do on the Gold Coast when it rains, Holey Moley is where cocktails and bar snacks collide with crazy putt putt golf and good times galore. Located in Surfers Paradise, nine holes here will set you back $15; just bring extra cash for beers and burgs.
6. Get crafty with one of the Coast’s many creative classes, from Sip & Paint nights offered across the city to adorbs workshops at Palm Beach’s The Craft Parlour, as well as Ceramics Classes It’s one of our fave rainy day activities on the Gold Coast.
7. Beer never cares about the weather, so neither should you. Take advantage of our rad selection of breweries (and craft beer bars) with a bar hop to lift your mood.
8. Load up on all things sweet at the Coast's best bakeries. We've done the hard work and figured out what are the best treats to order. Head here to find out our top picks.
9. Drink away your sorrows and hit up one of the Gold Coast’s best bars. Applauded as one of the top cocktail, rum and craft beer bars on the Coast, The Cambus Wallace is the perfect misty evening visit. With hip and cosy vibes, dim lights and funky furniture, you’ll quickly forget it’s raining outside.
10. Don’t let your exercise plan go out the window on miserable days. We’ve got you covered with Gold Coast’s top Pilates studios, yoga studios and dance classes just for adults. It’s already raining, so why not sweat a little?
11. If your company is driving you up the wall, use it to your advantage at indoor rock climbing. Check out Paramount Adventure, boasting impressive indoor rock climbing facilities, perfect for using some of that pent-up energy.
12. Searching for some delicious cheap eats and free entertainment on a lacklustre Friday or Saturday evening? Miami Marketta has you covered, literally. Make it your mission to sample as many food stalls as possible; go on, it’s cold and you deserve it.
13. Why not sit back, relax and enjoy the downpour. You can always top up your tan again tomorrow.
Looking for more fun things to do on the Gold Coast on a rainy day? We suggest you try eating your way through these cheap eats. You're welcome.
Image credit: Hayley Williamson for The Urban List