Things To Do · Rainy Day Guide
What To Do in Broadbeach When It Rains
Shopping, entertainment, food, and indoor adventures — your rainy day doesn’t have to be a write-off.
The Gold Coast gets an average of 125 rain days per year, with most falling between December and March during the summer storm season. When the rain comes, it often arrives as a heavy afternoon thunderstorm that clears within a few hours — but occasionally you’ll get a full-day washout.
The good news is Broadbeach has plenty of indoor options that can fill an entire rainy day (or two). Pacific Fair alone can keep you busy for hours, The Star has entertainment beyond the casino floor, and there are several excellent indoor activities within a short drive.
Don’t write off rainy days — some of the best Broadbeach experiences happen indoors.
Top Rainy Day Activities
- Pacific Fair Shopping Centre — 400+ stores, cinema, indoor dining (walking distance)
- The Star Gold Coast — restaurants, spa, bowling, entertainment
- Event Cinemas Pacific Fair — latest releases, Gold Class option
- HOTA Gallery — free art exhibitions, 10 min north
- Escape rooms, bowling, and indoor attractions within 15 min
- Spa and wellness treatments — perfect wet-weather activity
| Activity | Location | Distance | Cost | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Fair shopping | Broadbeach | Walking | Free entry | Everyone |
| Event Cinemas | Pacific Fair | Walking | $18–40 | Couples, families |
| The Star spa/pool | Broadbeach | Walking | $30–200+ | Relaxation |
| HOTA Gallery | Surfers Paradise | 10 min | Free | Art lovers |
| Strike Bowling | Robina | 10 min drive | $15–25/game | Families, groups |
| Escape rooms | Various | 10–15 min | $30–40/person | Groups, couples |
| Timezone arcade | Surfers Paradise | 10 min tram | $20–40 | Kids, teens |
| Infinity Attraction | Surfers Paradise | 10 min tram | $30/person | All ages |
| Cooking class | Various | 10–20 min | $80–150 | Couples, foodies |
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
The obvious first choice, and genuinely one of the best shopping centres in Queensland. Pacific Fair has over 400 stores across multiple levels, all undercover and air-conditioned.
Highlights:
• Major fashion retailers (Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, David Jones, Myer)
• Luxury boutiques (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co)
• Homewares and lifestyle stores
• A massive food court with 20+ options ($10–18 per meal)
• Event Cinemas with standard and Gold Class screens
• JB Hi-Fi, Apple Store, and tech retailers
Pacific Fair is genuinely a full-day destination in wet weather. The outdoor dining areas are covered, so even the restaurants with “outdoor” seating remain accessible in rain.
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9am–5:30pm, Thursday 9am–9pm, Friday 9am–5:30pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–5pm.
The Star Gold Coast
Beyond the casino floor, The Star is a self-contained entertainment precinct with several rainy-day options:
• The Star Spa — massages, facials, body treatments from $100–200. A rainy afternoon spa session is one of the best ways to spend a washout day.
• Restaurants — Nineteen, Koi, Moo Moo, Cucina Vivo, and several casual dining options. Take your time over a long lunch.
• Bars and lounges — the lobby bar and garden bar are pleasant spots for afternoon drinks
• Casino — if that’s your thing, the gaming floor is open 24/7
The Star connects via covered walkways to surrounding accommodation, so you can get there from many Broadbeach hotels without getting wet.
HOTA — Home of the Arts
The Gold Coast’s premier arts and culture precinct is 10 minutes north of Broadbeach (take the G:link tram to Cypress Avenue station).
What’s there:
• HOTA Gallery — free admission, rotating exhibitions of contemporary Australian art. Quality is genuinely high — this isn’t a small regional gallery.
• HOTA Cinema — arthouse and independent films, plus mainstream releases. Far better atmosphere than a multiplex.
• Library — the Gold Coast City Library is adjacent, with comfortable reading spaces
• Lakeside café — covered outdoor dining by the lake
HOTA regularly hosts events, workshops, and performances. Check their website for what’s on during your visit.
Entertainment and Indoor Activities
Beyond shopping and dining, there are several indoor entertainment options within a short drive or tram ride:
Strike Bowling (Robina): 10-minute drive west. Modern bowling lanes, arcade games, and a bar. Great for families and groups. Approximately $15–25 per game.
Escape rooms: Several escape room venues on the Gold Coast within 15 minutes. Try Escape Room Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise — they have themed rooms for 2–8 players, approximately $30–40 per person.
Timezone (Surfers Paradise): 10 minutes by tram. Massive arcade with hundreds of games, laser tag, and bumper cars. Load a game card and let the kids loose. Budget $20–40 per person.
Infinity Attraction (Surfers Paradise): An immersive walk-through experience with light, sound, and special effects. 30 minutes to complete. Genuinely entertaining for all ages. Approximately $30 per person.
SkyPoint Observation Deck (Q1, Surfers Paradise): On a rainy day, the views from the 77th floor can be dramatic — watching storms roll over the ocean from above is spectacular. Approximately $27–32 per adult.
Rainy Day Dining — Take Your Time
A rainy day is the perfect excuse for a long, leisurely meal. Broadbeach’s restaurant scene is built for lingering:
• Long lunch at Koi — order the tasting menu and make an afternoon of it
• Brunch at Elk Espresso — excellent coffee and breakfast, cosy interior
• Miami Marketta — the undercover street food market runs in all weather (Wed, Fri, Sat evenings)
• Pub lunch at the Broadbeach Tavern — cold beer, pub meal, watch the sport on the big screens
Rainy days also mean quieter restaurants — you can often walk in without a booking at venues that normally require one.
Tips for Rainy Days in Broadbeach
Gold Coast summer storms are dramatic but typically short. If it starts raining at 2pm, there’s a good chance it’ll clear by 4–5pm. Don’t cancel your evening plans — just shift your afternoon indoors.
The G:link tram connects Broadbeach to Surfers Paradise attractions without getting wet. Stations are covered, and the tram runs every 7–10 minutes.
A 90-minute massage or spa package is the ultimate rainy day activity. The Star Spa, AVANI spa, and several day spas in Broadbeach offer walk-in availability on quiet days — but booking ahead is recommended.
Event Cinemas at Pacific Fair offers Gold Class — reclining leather seats, in-seat dining and drinks service. It’s $35–40 per person but turns a movie into a genuine experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre (400+ stores, cinema), The Star Gold Coast (spa, dining, entertainment), HOTA Gallery (free art exhibitions, 10 min north), escape rooms, bowling, Timezone arcade, and Infinity Attraction in Surfers Paradise. Broadbeach’s restaurant scene is also excellent for long rainy-day lunches.
The Gold Coast averages about 125 rain days per year, with most falling between December and March. Summer storms are typically short and intense — often clearing within 2–3 hours. Winter (June–August) is the driest period with very little rain.
Yes — Pacific Fair is fully undercover and air-conditioned. It operates normal hours in all weather. Even the outdoor dining areas have covered sections. It’s the go-to rainy day destination in Broadbeach.
Yes — Timezone arcade in Surfers Paradise (10 min tram), Strike Bowling in Robina (10 min drive), Infinity Attraction in Surfers (10 min tram), Event Cinemas at Pacific Fair (walking distance), and escape rooms for older kids. Pacific Fair also runs free school holiday activities for children.
Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.