RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY ON THE GOLD COAST

from ASTRAS Property and Lifestyle Magazine Issue 50

HINTERLAND

IS THE RAIN DROWNING YOUR WILL TO KEEP THE KIDS ENTERTAINED? WHY NOT GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND HEAD TO ONE OF THESE FUN UNDERCOVER ACTIVITIES THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL ENJOY?

Strike Bowling

If tenpin bowling is up your alley, you’ll love the vibe at Strike Bowling in Surfers Paradise, where the lights are low and the music is pumping. You’ll also find pool tables, a karaoke room and two escape rooms for a fun family day out.

Prices: Start from $16 per adult and $10 per child. School holiday deals are also available.

Get Golfing

The Gold Coast is home to a plethora of putt-putt golfing greens and driving ranges, each with their own fun flavour. Here are a few indoor favourites:

• Topgolf at Oxenford

• Carrara Mini Golf

• Holey Moley Golf Club in Surfers Paradise.

Prices: Range depending on location, but start from $14 per adult and $10 per child.

Go to the Movies

Dodge inclement weather in airconditioned comfort at the cinema, where you can catch the latest flicks. Head to Event Cinemas at either Southport, Robina, Coomera or Pacific Fair, Reading Cinemas at Harbour Town, or Cineplex at Nerang. There’s also Dendy at Southport and the HOTA Cinema at Surfers Paradise.

Prices: Vary depending on the cinema, but start at $9.50 per adult and $7 per child at Nerang Cineplex.

Visit Gold Coast Libraries

Gold Coast libraries are special places filled with more than just bookshelves. Here you’ll also find creative workshops for kids, story-time reading sessions, author talks and so much more. Check out your local library to see what’s on offer.

Prices: Free.

ArtVo

Light up your Insta grid at ArtVo in Robina, where you and the kids can step into fantastical life-size murals to snap optical illusions that will make anyone look twice.

Prices: $30 per adult and $20 per child aged 5 to 15. Family package deals are also available.

Indoor Go Karting

Feed the need for speed at Slideways Nerang, where the whole family can tackle a thrilling three-level indoor track. Kids as young as seven can race their own kart, while children as young as four can be passengers in a dual kart.

Prices: From $72 for a 20-minute session.

Indoor Play Centres

Too drizzly for a day at the park? Fear not! The Gold Coast has an array of indoor play centres, where kids can let off steam in interactive playgrounds while you chillax with a beverage from the on-site cafe. Check out:

• Dooglebugs at Miami

• Chipmunks Playland at Robina

• EMF Junior at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach.

Prices: Start around $10 per child. Adults and babies are free.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Get set to get vertical as you and the fam scale the walls at any of these local indoor rock-climbing centers:

• Alpine Indoor Climbing at Robina

• Paramount Adventures at West Burleigh

• Core Climbing at Carrara

• Climbit at Southport.

Prices: Vary depending on location, but average about $20 per adult and $16 per child plus an extra $5 each for shoe hire. Other gear hire may be extra.

Catch a Live Show

Love live theatre and musicals? A matinee at one of the Gold Coast’s playhouses could be just the ticket. To see what’s on, check out:

• Spotlight Theatre at Bundall

• Gold Coast Little Theatre at Southport

• HOTA Live at Surfers Paradise

• Javeenbah Theatre at Nerang.

Prices: Vary depending on show, but average about $30 a ticket.

Visit a Museum

Museums offer a perfect rainy-day setting, where you can see something out of the ordinary and learn interesting facts along the way. Check out these local favourites:

• Gold Coast War Museum at Mudgeeraba

• Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum at Mudgeeraba

• Gold Coast Motor Museum at Upper Coomera

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Surfers Paradise

• The Wax Museum in Surfers Paradise.

Prices: Vary depending on location, ranging from $5 to $30 per person.

Drop into an Art Gallery

Ignite the family’s imagination with a visit to one of the Gold Coast’s local art galleries, such as:

• 19 Karen at Mermaid Beach

• HOTA Gallery in Surfers Paradise

• Dust Temple at Currumbin

• The Walls at Miami.

Prices: Some exhibitions may be ticketed, but most art galleries offer free entry.

Games Arcades & Entertainment Centres

If you can’t decide on a rainy-day destination, a trip to a local games arcade might offer much more than you think. Check out:

• Timezone in Surfers Paradise, where you can play arcade games, laser tag or mini golf, ride bumper cars or go bowling

• Timezone in Coolangatta, where you’ll find arcade games and laser tag as well as bowling lanes and bumper cars

• Game Over at Helensvale, where you can play arcade games, laser tag and mini golf, as well as go zip lining, indoor rock climbing or go karting

• Zero Latency in Southport, where you can immerse yourself in virtual reality games and escape rooms

• Freak VR in Surfers Paradise for more virtual reality fun, including VR laser tag, car racing, arcade games and escape rooms.

Prices: Vary depending on location and activity, but arcade credit starts at $25. Combo deals for multiple activities are also available.

Infinity

For an interactive experience that’s out of this world, head to Infinity in Surfers Paradise. Here you can explore a series of maze-like psychedelic environments that will spark all your senses.

Prices: $28.90 for adults and $19.90 for children. Family passes are also available.