Umbrellas up, spirits high: Sydney’s best rainy day activities
Don’t let a little drizzle dampen your day because Sydney is bursting with indoor adventures perfect for all ages. Whether you’re dodging puddles with little ones or seeking cozy escapes from the rain, this vibrant city has plenty to offer when the skies turn grey. From hands-on museums and creative play spaces to animal encounters, here’s your guide to making the most of a rainy day in Sydney.
It might seem like Sydney comes to a standstill when the rain rolls in. I’ve definitely felt that way myself over the past ten years of living here. There are so many things to do in Sydney, but at face value it feels like they’re all outdoors!
More than once, I’ve found myself stuck indoors with a toddler bouncing off the walls and wondering what on earth we could do. But over time, I’ve discovered that Sydney still has plenty of fun to offer, even when the weather isn’t playing nice. This post is here to help you uncover the best rainy day activities in Sydney so you can enjoy your time here, no matter what the forecast says.
Things to do on a rainy day in Sydney
Museums and galleries
Sydney’s museums and galleries are the perfect escape on a rainy day. There are many on offer, with lots of hands-on fun, fascinating exhibits, and plenty of space to explore. From dinosaurs and deep-sea creatures to science experiments, art and maritime adventures, there’s something to spark curiosity in kids and adults alike.
The Australian Museum
One of my favourite rainy day spots in Sydney is the fabulous (and free!) Australian Museum. This is always a winner because it is the home of Sydney’s dinosaur collection as well as a huge array of animal life and a fantastic open play space that features a projection of sea life on the floor, interactive Polynesian dance lessons and a dedicated babies play area.
There’s also a cafe and a well-equipped parents room with change tables and feeding booths. I often bring my baby and toddler here and they honestly will just play all afternoon – they absolutely love it.
Location: Darlinghurst
Cost: Free
The Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a great choice for a rainy day activity in Sydney. Located centrally in Darling Harbour, this enormous museum will take you most of the day to get through – there’s that much to see. This museum costs $25 for adults if you are not wanting to board the vessels and $35 to access the vessels and the museum. Kids under 4 are free.
The museum has a range of exhibits that rotate in and out regularly. They also have an amazing school holiday program where the museum really overindexes in kids actitivies. There’s marine photography exhibits, shipwreck information, dress up areas and art spaces throughout the museum.
Not only does the Maritime Museum have a large number of exhibits, but there are also many vessels that you can board and explore. If the rain is light, the vessels will remain open but in cases of heavy rain, safety becomes a factor and the vessels are closed. There’s also a height restriction of 90cm to board any vessels and prams and carriers are not permitted. Not to worry, though, because I’ve visited a few times with my kids when they weren’t big enough to explore the ships and the submarine and they still found plenty to do.
Location: Darling Harbour
Cost: $25 – $35 for adults, under 4 free
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Another great location for indoor fun on a rainy day in Sydney is the Art Gallery of NSW. The gallery offers free entry to its permanent collections, which span Australian, Indigenous, Asian, and European art. My kids always love being wheeled through in the pram, taking in the different designs, colours and paintings.
Families are especially welcome at the Art Gallery of NSW, with kids under 12 enjoying free access to ticketed exhibitions and a range of hands-on activities, workshops, and guided tours designed just for children. The gallery’s Naala Nura building features a vibrant children’s art library, drop-in creative spaces, and playful programs like ‘I Spy’ games and storytelling sessions for under 5s.
And the gallery’s other building, Naala Badu, has plenty to amuse kids as well. The exterior has these fantastic giant sculptures in a covered courtyard that my kids love playing with, but the real highlight of this building is visiting the incredible playground installation four levels underground in the Nelson Packer Tank created by Mike Hewson – The Key Is Under the Mat.
This amazing area is totally free to visit and features play equipment, a water play area and functional barbeques to name a few things. There’s also a sauna and steam tank for those over 16. And for tired parents, there’s a cafe stand serving up hot coffees and babycinos all day long. Honestly, you could spend an entire day just playing here. There is so much to do just in this exhibition and it is perfect for a rainy day in Sydney.
Location: Sydney CBD
Cost: Free
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)
The MCA is a staple of the Sydney art scene, but did you know that they also have some great indoor activities for kids? They run free Art Play sessions specifically for kids to experiment and experience creating art and many of the exhibitions are really interesting for children.
I’ve often found that particularly little ones still in a stroller or carrier are amazed by just wandering through the MCA – the uniqueness of the artwork is such a nice change of scene for them from being at home. Older kids will benefit more from the hands on Art Play sessions where they can fully immerse themselves into play. The MCA is also wonderfully family friendly with accessibility, feeding and change facilities considered throughout the museum.
The only downside to a day at the MCA is the museum has recently introduced an entry fee for adults. It used to be free!
Location: Circular Quay, Sydney CBD
Cost: $20 for adults, under 18 free
Indoor animal encounters
Though Taronga Zoo still holds the mantle of Sydney’s most incredible animal attraction, it is nowhere near as enjoyable in the rain. Luckily, Sydney does have a couple of indoor animal attractions to get acquainted with local wildlife if the weather is wet for your visit.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
One of Sydney’s biggest drawcards is the amazing SEALife Aquarium located in Darling Harbour. This wonderful experience brings you face to face with some of the sea’s most curious creatures including King, Gentoo and Little Penguins, Grey Nurse Sharks and even a very rare Dugong. Aquarium highlights include the Penguin Expedition, where you can ride a boat through the snowy enclosure and see the penguins up close. Another is the stunning glass tunnels that run underneath Dugong Island and Shark Valley where sea life literally swims over your head as you walk through.
My kids also love the jellyfish section, where magical colours light up the dark and a UV ocean projection provides a great spot to stop for a play. There is also a new rockpool area where you can see starfish, shrimp, sea snails and sea urchins right under your nose. Perfect for a rainy day in Sydney, an excursion to the aquarium will be an activity that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Location: Darling Harbour
Cost: from $39, under 2 free
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Located right next door to the Aquarium (and operated by the same company), the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is the only animal encounter option in Sydney that caters for a rainy day. A few sections of the zoo are outdoors, but it is possible to skip those in heavy rain and just focus on the undercover areas. Bear in mind, that on a nice day the iconic Taronga Zoo cannot be beaten for both animals and harbour views, but if you need to kill some time on a rainy day in Sydney, this small zoo focused on Australian animals is a good option.
Our kids really love the nocturnal animals section, though you do need to be patient and quiet in order to really see the animals here. It’s the only place they’ve ever seen a bilby and they were super excited about it. The other really cool enclosure in this zoo is the crocodile billabong where two freshwater crocodiles live. You can even take in the view from a tube that puts you right in the middle of the billabong at the crocodile’s eye level!
Note: if you intend on visiting both the aquarium and the zoo, then you can maximise value with a two-attraction pass starting at $49.
Location: Darling Harbour
Cost: from $39, under 2 free
Arts, culture and fun
Sydney is a destination full of culture and entertainment and this doesn’t stop at all when it rains. From touring one of the world’s most iconic arts venues to immersing yourself in a hands on exhibition, there’s a never ending list of activities.
Tour the Sydney Opera House
The iconic Sydney Opera House is a fabulous rainy day option in Sydney. Tours run daily and they are incredibly popular with tourists, so do make sure you book in advance. The tours run in multiple languages and take you inside the Opera House’s theatres, foyers and areas off limits to the general public. There’s even underground parking at the Sydney Opera House, so you can completely avoid getting wet.
Bubble Planet
In the style of the famous art installation crew at teamLab, Sydney now has its own immersive play experience – Bubble Planet. Totally kid friendly, but also perfect for the young at heart, this sensory delight will have the whole family loving life as they explore a world of balloons, digital art, oversized bubbles and an enormous ball pit.
A brilliant activity for a rainy day in Sydney as it is all indoors, Bubble Planet is also a great place to get some great Instagram shots (if that’s your jam). Just try to avoid weekends and public holidays if possible to be able to enjoy the exhibition at a more leisurely pace without fighting crowds. Tickets must be purchased online.
Location: Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: from $34, under 3 free
Enjoy a show at the Capitol Theatre
Arguably Sydney’s most beautiful theatre is the stunning Capitol Theatre. It’s architecture alone is worth a look and what better way to spend a rainy day in Sydney than by taking in a show – usually a major musical – at this grand dame of a theatre? Check TodayTix for last minute show tickets.
See a movie at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
If theatre isn’t your thing but you’ve got some time to kill, then the beautiful Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on the lower North Shore is a fabulous experience. A movie theatre of old, this beautifully preserved cinema makes you feel you’ve stepped back in time and really puts the glamour back into going to the movies.
Food and drink experiences
High tea at the QVB
High tea at the Queen Victoria Building is a great way to feel a little fancy for the day. Think chandeliers that sparkle like your favorite filter, velvet chairs you’ll never want to leave, and a three-tier stand that’s basically edible art. Kick things off with a glass of bubbles, then dive into dainty sandwiches, warm scones piled high with jam and cream, and desserts that deserve their own photoshoot. Pair it with a pot of luxe loose-leaf tea and you’ve got the ultimate escape from the city buzz. It’s classy, cozy, and located in one of Sydney’s most Insta-worthy locations.
Yum Cha at Mr Wong
Mr Wong might not be your standard cheap and cheerful dumpling experience, but that’s part of the fun. This Merivale stalwart is usually packed, so be prepared to wait if you don’t have a booking, but it is well worth the wait. Imagine picture perfectly folded prawn & scallop siu mai, juicy lobster dumplings, spicy prawn wontons and BBQ duck, all arriving in steam-filled baskets begging for your first bite. The perfect antidote to the rainy day blues!
Fine dining with a view
Why not take in a rainy Sydney from the table of a fine dining restaurant? Sydney boats some of the best restaurants with a view in the world from the Opera House’s Bennelong to the coastal magic of Bondi Icebergs Dining Room. Other fabulous fancy food options are Quay and Aria, both with great harbour views.
Inner West Ale Trail
For a more casual, beer based adventure the breweries of the Inner West are calling. Though you’ll need an Uber or an umbrella to do a proper brewery crawl along the Inner West Ale Trail, you can just as soon pick one spot and settle in for a session all afternoon. There’s 16 breweries to choose from and on a rainy day, we’d recommend Hawke’s Brewing (with lunch at their amazing and nostalgic Chinese restaurant, The Lucky Prawn), Chuck and Sons (which has a play area for kiddos) or Philter (for pool tables and a sports bar).
Relax and Pamper
What better way to spend a rainy day in Sydney than with a bit of self care? If you can find a minute to yourself, then taking some time out at one of these luxe experiences might be the way to go.
Tokyo Headspa
Straight out of Japan, Tokyo Headspa is bringing all the wonders of the Japanese self care ritual to Sydney. Lie back and enjoy having your scalp massaged and hair washed by the loveliest of staff. A Japanese headspa is like a facial for the hair and you will no doubt walk out feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. There’s a few branches of Tokyo Headspa in Sydney, namely in Surry Hills, Bondi and St Leonards and bookings are essential.
Soak Bath House
One of Sydney’s loveliest wellness destinations, Soak Bath House offers warm adult-only mineral pools as well as a cold plunge pool all enriched with magnesium. A soak essentials package will set you back $89 – $99 and includes access to all pools, spas, steam room and sauna as well as two beverages, a snack and a robe to use whilst on premises. Soak is located in Alexandria and Bondi.
Gillian Adams Salon and Spa
A longstanding wellness destination on the North Shore is the picturesque Gillian Adams Salon and Spa. This gorgeous establishment has so many different treatments and services that you could literally spend the whole day there. The aquamedic pool is certainly the highlight and I also recommend the unique Vichy Ritual which is a style of massage that incorporates water.
Rainy day activities in Sydney for kids
Indoor Play Centres
Sydney is awash with kids cafes and indoor playgrounds – there’s honestly too many to list in this post. Some of the best are Jungle Buddies in Five Dock, Planet Mino in Chatswood and Miniversal in Marrickville. Another great option for trampoline lovers is BounceInc in Homebush – which is awesome for younger kids as they have a separate area for under 5’s to play in.
Kid-friendly pubs
Sometimes on a rainy day you just want a cozy pub meal and some peace. The good news is there’s a few pubs in Sydney that offer up indoor play facilities for the kids so you can relax and enjoy a beer and a meal while the little ones blow off some steam. A few of our favourite kid-friendly pubs are Tradies in Caringbah, Taren Point Hotel, The Henson in Marrickville and the Coogee Pavilion – all which have indoor play areas for kids.
Indoor pools
Often Sydney is warm, even when it rains and so there’s no reason not to enjoy a bit of splash time with the family at an indoor pool. There are several pools in Sydney with water play areas and water slides like Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre and Sutherland Leisure Centre that the whole family will love.
In summary
Don’t let a rainy day in Sydney dampen your spirits. There’s still so much to explore and see in this fabulous harbour city from arts and culture to food and everything in between!
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