Activities for a Rainy Day in Brisbane
THE 10 BEST Indoor Things to Do in Brisbane on a Rainy Day
Best Activities for a Rainy Day in Brisbane
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Government Buildings
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Theatres
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Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Children's Museums
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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Showing results 1-30 of 168
What travellers are saying
- LeaBrisbane, Australia2 contributionsLoved this tour, Ken was a fantastic guide and incredibly knowledgeable on every part of the process. The first video on the round screen on floor was a little hard to see, but a very minor issue compared to the rest of the tourWritten 29 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Aussie_2012Melbourne, Australia827 contributionsIt's free.... what more could you ask! Stops at 7 locations along the main city section of the river. Boats hold approx 30 people perhaps more and come every 30 minutes and go in a clockwise direction from one stop to the next. The boats are mainly covered however there is a small outdoor area at the rear of the boat. It is so fantastic that this service is free which is ideal for the tourist in order to get to the main locations throughout the city. A definite way to get around the city.Written 27 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Heidi C3 contributionsWonderful museum. We didn't have much time but it was really good and I'd come back and spend more time next time. Beautiful building as well.Written 25 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ItchyFeetCamarillo, CA7,742 contributionsThe City Hall building is in the middle of modern skyscrapers and has a lot of local Brisbane history. It’s also near a couple of outdoor shopping/eating areas. It’s well worth a stop to check it out and if you have time to go inside and do a tour.Written 29 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tabatha1998Auckland, New Zealand638 contributionsNo entry fee - amazing. Make sure you go up the clocktower. Unfortunately, the perspex makes taking good photos difficult, but the view is excellent.Written 22 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Allison K3 contributionsSo interesting and such gorgeous opals. The jewelry is quite unique too.
Steff gave us an amazing guided tour.Written 8 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - catkid3Victoria, Australia148 contributionsWas very impressed with this free museum. The Lego Jurassic World exhibit was under construction during our visit and will require a ticket to access, but the rest of the museum was open to the public. Current exhibits involved insects, dinosaurs and a collection of Australian animals & objects. A cafe is present but is quite pricey and had a small menu. No water fountains are present unless you want to fill up from the taps in the toilets. Worth checking out if you need to fill in a few hours or want to escape the heat.Written 28 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kimhanly58Edinburgh, UK2 contributionsWe visited QPAC to see Mama Mia in August with family and it was an amazing experience. When booking tickets, the staff were so helpful in choosing seats for us, as my grandaughter is currently using a wheelchair and crutches. When we arrived, our usher on door 12 was Harrison, and he was just so helpful and courteous.Written 11 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ItchyFeetCamarillo, CA7,742 contributionsThis was just a couple blocks from the W hotel that we stayed at W while in Brisbane. It’s immediately next to the City Hall and King George Square. There are lots of shops and food options here. Interesting for us is that a lot of the stores were American stores and brands. There’s definitely a lot of American influence in the Australian cities. This a nice place to walk around looking in store and have a bite to eat. We did this on the morning that we were leaving on a redeye flight back to the states so we didn’t spend as much time here as we probably would have liked to.Written 7 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TropicalshowersCairns, Australia238 contributionsWe decided to see the 'Qld to a T' exhibition through their T-towels display & we were pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed looking back over time through the various T-towels displayed...who could forget Joh & Flo Bjelke Petersen for a laugh or two?Written 24 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Brian TLondon, UK6,782 contributionsThe Brisbane Powerhouse is a cultural hub, an artistic centre, and a contemporary arts venue which buzzes with creativity, lively and edgy performances, and originality and innovation. That in itself is a good reason for a visit to this distinctive landmark which nestles on the north bank of the Brisbane River in New Farm.
However, the Powerhouse has not always been that way. It sprang to life in 1928 as an actual power station to provide electricity for Brisbane’s growing tram network at the time. It was decommissioned in 1971 after Brisbane gave up its trams and replaced them with buses, and lay derelict until 2000 when it was reinvented as an entertainment and cultural hub. The restoration was clever, maintaining an interior that had become pimped with fabulous and colourful graffiti over the years of its dormancy, keeping lots of the industrial machinery that kept the powerhouse turning, including old electrical transformers which are now lighting fixtures, and maintaining the overall structure of the building, both inside and outside. It’s almost as if it is a museum house. And that to me is the best reason to visit. I didn’t attend any cultural or arts events here, but I had a fabulous time exploring the old building and enjoying the fabulous restoration which has taken place there.
The best feature to me was the large pieces of graffiti which have been retained. The building was a hotbed for graffiti during its period of dereliction, and much of it has been kept, going the venue an edgy and sometimes irreverent feel. You’ll also see vestiges of machinery, old electrical equipment, huge switchboards and transformers. It all works as a concept, and adds a historic and heritage feel to the complex.
You are free to wander around when the complex is open. You don’t have to be attending a performance or function there, though there are sometimes free live performances which you are welcome to attend and enjoy. There’s a number of flexible performing spaces and viewer open platforms, and the venue hosts a comprehensive array of performing arts, visual arts, festivals, and free community events across numerous genres including music, comedy, dance, film, visual arts, cabaret, circus, theatre, writers+ideas and children’s programming. Further developments took place in 2007, when restaurants, bars, conference and rehearsal rooms and offices were added. There’s a very pleasant riverside cafe for a meal or drinks during the day; it also offered free water for your water bottle.
Make sure you explore the historic building inside and out, attend a live performance if one is happening at the time of your visit, discover works of art and relax at the waterside restaurants and bars. It’s a fabulous spot!
It's easily accessible via buses which run along Brunswick Street, or the CityCat which has a river stop a short work from the venue.Written 19 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Carol1 contributionWe are not art experts. We were impressed by the different exhibitions and the huge collection. There is something for everyone. Great place to visit.Written 28 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephen T27 contributionsFull of history and the best Australian church I have visited. It matches anything we have seen in Europe. A must see experienceWritten 1 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elle FNewcastle, Australia3 contributionsIt's advertised as 6yrs+ but I took my 3.5yr old and he loved it. Of course there were some things he didn't understand but would recommend for little ones as well. We went last Tues, lucky we got into the first morn session coz the next 3 sessions were booked out by school groups, so maybe worth booking online if you can. Three small spaces but kept us entertained for over an hour.Written 27 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PBPGYorkshire, UK6,007 contributionsAn impressive cathedral built between 1870 and 1920 it has some great stained glass. We were greeted by a very friendly lady who gave us a potted history and guidance on what to look for.Written 21 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
