11 of the Best Rainy Day Activities in Canberra

It might not be the rainiest city in Australia, but that’s not to say the capital doesn’t get its fair share of wet weather days. Fortunately, plenty of fun things to do on a rainy day in Canberra don’t require you to venture outdoors or ask you to venture far from the CBD.

From exploring the city’s arts and culture scene to indulging in retail therapy and dining delights, here are the best rainy-day activities in Canberra.

Hi Up Hijinx Hotel

Get everyone working together and running amok inside the Hijinx Hotel! The latest addition to Canberra's entertainment offering, this is not your regular hotel.

Challenge rooms are filled with ball pits, giant floor pianos, neon lights and topsy-turvy walls, filled with challenges to earn teams points and hit the top of the leaderboard.

Kids and grown-ups included can solve puzzles, play memory games and burn through the sugar rush from the fab food offering with reaction games. Did we mention the karaoke and Holey Moley mini-golf? Talk about a one-stop shop for fun inside!

Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra City

Give Bouldering a Go 

If staying indoors is a struggle, consider heading to an indoor climbing gym for a bouldering sesh to burn through some energy. Beginners are always welcome (we find rock climbing gyms are some of the friendliest out there!) and it's a great way to exercise your body and mind. BlocHaus is a fab option in Canberra with its aesthetically pleasing walls catering to most experience levels. 

Fyshwick & Mitchell

Enjoy a Fancy High Tea

If hot tea paired with miniature sandwiches and bite-sized sweet treats is your idea of a good time on a rainy day, you’ll be glad to know there are fabulous high tea offerings around town.

Try the Alice in Wonderland-themed Tipsy Tea at White Rabbit, the high-tea-with-a-view at The Marion overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, a classic high tea at Hyatt Canberra, or the skillfully tea-infused food menu at Adore Tea. 

Rainy Day Retail Therapy

Whether you’re after a wardrobe update, chic accessories, homewares, skincare or perhaps a bit of everything, there are great places to shop around Canberra that are completely undercover.

The Canberra Centre is the main shopping hub in town, housing major department stores and retail chains such as Uniqlo, Oroton and Zara. You can venture to the two Westfield shopping centres in Belconnen and Woden. All three have cinemas if you want to catch a rainy-day flick.

If it’s a Sunday and you’re after something more boutique, head to the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston. The weekly markets are held indoors, with several food vendors selling hot drinks, snacks and meals – perfect when the weather’s bleak.

Visit Kingpin Canberra for Family-Friendly Fun

A cold and dreary day is the perfect excuse to gather your pals - or the whole family - and hit up Kingpin for some arcade-style fun. From ten-pin bowling to escape rooms, karaoke, laser tag and arcade games, hours of entertainment await.

They've also got an on-site kitchen serving everything from hotdogs and fries (a ten-pin staple) to halloumi tacos, milkshakes and cocktails. You could easily while the day away here, completely forgetting about the wet weather that got you there in the first place. 

Canberra Centre, Bunda Street 

Head to a Brewery

Canberra has an excellent beer scene, with several breweries dotted across the city. BentSpoke in Braddon does delicious food on top of its famed beer selection, Zierholz Premium Brewery is the place to go if you want awesome German beers and meals, and Capital Brewing not only has a sizeable indoor drinking and dining space, but a Brodburger outlet too and endless good vibes.

If you don't want to be limited to hoppy brews and cider, a pub is hard to beat when the weather is grim. Here are some of our favourite pubs with fireplaces in Canberra.

Check Out Our National Institutions

There may be no better rainy day activity than exploring the gorgeous galleries, the myriad of museums and famous national institutions around Canberra.

Hop between the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library of Australia, Old Parliament House (also home to the Museum of Australian Democracy) and Parliament House. All are located on Canberra’s southside and within a short walk or drive of each other... so pack your brolly if travelling on foot. 

The National Library of Australia is filled with books to browse, tales, and exhibitions of significance, while the National Dinosaur Museum is one the kids will likely love the most.

Alternatively, head northside and check out the National Museum of Australia or the Australian War Memorial.

Set Up an Indoor Picnic

Sometimes, staying home is the best (and easiest) way to spend a rainy day. If you’re keen on an indoor picnic, head to one of the boutique food stores or gourmet supermarkets around Canberra to stock up on supplies.

Ainslie IGA is a local favourite, with locally produced foods, ready meals and deli items. Supabarn Kingston is another great spot to get pre-made meals and gourmet foods. 

The Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets is also indoors and open Thursday to Sunday so you can shop for some of the best local produce and freshly baked goods without having to brave the elements.

Canberra Glassworks

We’re mesmerised by glass blowing - and so is everyone else if the popularity of Netflix's Blown Away is anything to go by. Luckily, Canberra boasts its own Glassworks where you can see the graceful art in action. 

Check out their exhibitions and watch in awe as their artists in residence create incredible hand-blown glass pieces. Before you go, head to the shop to pick up a stunning statement piece for your home.

If you want to take it further and test your skills or pick up a new creative hobby, sign up for a glassmaking class, learning the basic skills to craft anything from a coloured vase to a bird!

Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston

Treat Yourself to a Pampering Session

In the mood to unwind? Head to one of Canberra's glorious day spas, skin specialists or massage spots around Canberra for a bit of 'me time.' Hale Spa, Mudd The Spa, Jindii EcoSpa and La Terre are a few of our favourite spots for inner-city bliss.

Meanwhile, Thai Bliss Therapeutic Massage, Myogen and Canberra Healing Massage are home to miracle hands to ease the tightest of knots. 

Try a New Activity 

If you’re up for something different, there are endless indoor activities in Canberra on the more adventurous side, perfect if you need to keep the bigger kids, or a stir-crazy partner, entertained.

Breakris Canberra’s break room, where you’re placed in a room with a bunch of - you guessed it - breakable things, and a few tools to assist the carnage. Grab a baseball bat, hammer or crowbar and release some tension on plates and glasses, with permission to wreak total havoc. In the same venue, Axxe is Canberra’s only axe-throwing joint.

Eating and drinking to your heart’s (and stomach’s) content is, without question, one of the best rainy day activities in Canberra. Luckily, we’ve got guides to the best cafes and restaurants in town.