A long list of things to do on a rainy day

Ask TFG

11 May

Written By Phoebe Tully

Plan B when you’re stuck indoors.

Updated 11 May 2022

Photography: Morgan Smith

Toowoomba does a rainy day very well. Icy winds that cut through your jacket not withstanding, there’s a lot of beauty in a dark, rainy day. But Toowoombians are so used to beautiful weather, that we often take it for granted when the outdoors is no longer an option.

But don’t worry. Your friends at TFG have you sorted with a list of things to do.

Check our calendar for up-to-date events happening today.
Relive your tween years and go indoor bowling. Try Sunset Superbowl, which charges $19 for two games. Not bad for an afternoon of fun.
Test yourself at the Tick Tock Escape Room. Book in for an hour with some friends, and then follow up with a huge dinner in a cosy corner of El Attar.
Get a crazy amount of cardio in as you jump around the indoor trampolines at Kloud9ine. Sessions start on the hour at $16 per sesh, and you can just turn up without booking. Who’s up for a killer game of dodgeball?
Visit one of the city’s international grocery stores, and spend the afternoon cooking something completely new (to you).
Enjoy a glass of wine or two on the (covered) rooftop at George Banks, watching the rain fall on the city below. Uva Wine Bar also has an excellent window for people/rain watching.
Explore the city through its antiques. Have a delicious brunch at Ortem to kick things off.
Join in a workshop at Tinker and learn how to do any number of things – watercolour painting, flower arranging, or jewellery making. They’re always adding to their roster, so check back in.
See a show – whether it be ballet, a play, comedy, or who knows what else – at the Empire Theatre. They always have something surprising in their season. Start or finish with dinner across the way at Walton Stores, or stop into Encores for some white tablecloths.
Hunt down some local music talent and support their act, whether it be punk rock at Bodega or something a little more mellow at The Met Hotel.
Sign up for a free membership at the library. Members are entitled to borrow from a huge range of books, magazines and newspapers. Either find some new reads to take home, or settle down into one of their reading areas and get stuck in.
Challenge some friends to a few games of air hockey at iPlay in Grand Central. Between the arcade games and Baskin-Robbins, you’ll be able to amuse yourself for a few hours. Then pop over to Vapiano on the other side of the road for drinks and pizza.
Treat yo’self to a spa day. Why not try the Salt Caves? Maybe you need a massage? Or go for that old stand-by: a facial.
Bunker down and get delivery. Find your comfort meal from a handful of Toowoomba restaurants, and dig in.
Browse around some secondhand bookstores with a coffee in hand. Then go home and cancel any plans.
Go to the movies, obviously. There’s the historic and grand Strand Theatre downtown, perfect for indie and foreign films, or the modern VMAX theatre at Grand Central, where you’ll find the latest blockbusters.
Check out the Cobb+Co Museum, followed by tea and scones in the café. There’s often an art exhibition or hands-on workshop happening.
Grab a beer and basket of wings at The Brewhouse, and settle in for a few rounds of Connect Four.
Get your shopping fix with these locally-owned stores, whether you’re after homewares from The Store Room, a new dress from Smoke & Mirrors Boutique, or pantry staples from The Source Bulk Foods.
Swim a few laps in the pool at Milne Bay – it’s heated and indoors, so you’ll be out of the rain and staying warm, if not dry.
Grab your umbrella and pop around the corner to your local neighbourhood café, for a big breakky and a hot chocolate that’ll keep you nice and warm.
Explore the local op-shop scene, and score some fashion on a budget.
Check out some gorgeous artworks on display at The Toowoomba Gallery, then spend the rest of the afternoon putting holes in your walls.
Warm your body up with an indoor exercise class, such as Zumba or book-as-you-go yoga thanks to Antara Studios.