You can do everything in your power to plan the perfect vacation – carefully select your travel buddies, pack months in advance, and get the best deal on transportation and accommodation – but there are certain things that, when you’re travelling, are simply out of your control. The weather is one of those things, and we know how frustrating it can be to plan for a trip spent hitting the beach and soaking up the sun, only to arrive during a rain storm and grey skies!
Sydney is known as a sun-soaked heaven for travellers looking to brush up on their surf skills, go hiking, or spend time in the great outdoors, so it can be especially frustrating to visit on a rainy day! However, travellers should take comfort in the fact that Sydney is such a dynamic city that there is still plenty to do on a rainy day; here are just eight of our favourites.
Explore museums
A little rain shouldn’t stop you from getting your culture fix! Sydney is home to tons of fascinating museums. Whether you’re looking for modern art or the history of justice, industry, or war, there’s a museum in Sydney perfect for you. Here are just a few that we don’t think you should miss.
- The Australian Museum is Australia’s first public museum. Founded in 1827, you’ll find all of the wild nature Australia is most famous for in this massive building! Check out the “Surviving Australia” exhibit for an up-close look at some of Australia’s deadliest residents.
- The Justice & Police Museum is housed in a police station built in 1856 and offers something for everyone – lovers of true crime will appreciate the close look at some of Sydney’s most famous criminals, while kids will love all the activities the museum offers.
- The Powerhouse Museum is part of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (or MAAS), but it offers enough for a full day of exploration! A former power station, the Powerhouse Museum is home to interactive arts and science exhibits – from fashion to ecology, you’ll find it here.
- Art Gallery NSW offers travellers on a budget a great escape on rainy days – admission to the permanent collection in this beautiful classical building is free! Art Gallery NSW houses a gorgeous collection of fine Australian and International art, from colonial works to modern art.
- The Hyde Park Barracks Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most interesting museums in Sydney! Since nearly all of Australia’s settler population were British convicts, the Barracks Museum takes travellers back in time to experience a day in the life of a convict in 1800s Australia.
Go bar-hopping
Australia is famous for its laidback attitude – what could be more Australian than enjoying a day with friends in a pub or bar? Answer: spending a day with friends in several pubs or bars! There are countless options in Sydney for a comfortable spot to kick back with a drink and enjoy the company of your travel partners – whether you want to set up camp for an afternoon, or plan a big night out, you can rest assured that you’ll stay dry on a drizzly day with a craft beer, local cocktail, or a cup of Australia’s famous coffee.
Tip: make sure you pack a durable raincoat to stay dry during your travels!
Try something new
Australia is home to a surprising, up-and-coming food scene, and sometimes it’s ignored in favour of all the other incredible things Sydney has to offer. Why not take advantage of a rainy day to get to know every exciting corner of Sydney’s fun restaurants? Try fresh, local seafood at Fish At The Rocks, enjoy Malaysian cuisine at Mamak, or indulge in a little luxury at Aria. Whatever you choose, take advantage of Sydney’s multicultural nature and feast on international flavours lovingly prepared by top chefs and creative newbies alike!
Indoor skydive
Think the rain means you can’t have the adventure of a lifetime? Think again! Sydney has long been known as a haven for adrenaline junkies, and a little rain doesn’t stop this city from being exciting, adventurous, and fun. A visit to an indoor skydiving facility such as iFLY Downunder means travellers can have an authentic skydiving experience without worrying about inclement weather ruining their plans. Planning on sticking around Sydney for a while? Join the Flight Club and learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the world: bodyflight!
Go to the theatre
Sydney is a fantastic city for theatre – here, travellers can enjoy Broadway-calibre plays and musicals. From Hamilton to War Horse to Shrek the Musical and beyond, there’s a show for everyone to enjoy somewhere in Sydney! What better opportunity to visit the iconic Sydney Opera House? For travellers looking to embrace some of Sydney’s eclectic art scene, there are also always independent art shows, plays, and experimental musicals on – ask around to see what the locals are loving and you can’t go wrong!
Take in the view from an indoor observation deck
Everyone loves a rooftop patio, but when all the best (and driest) spots are taken, where should travellers looking to experience the best views in Sydney go? Sydney’s highest point, of course! The Sydney Tower Eye sits 250 metres (820 feet) in the sky, and offers travellers the absolute best view in the city. The best part? The tower’s observation deck is safely located indoors, which means rain or shine, travellers can take in some seriously amazing views. The Sydney Tower Eye also offers a “Weather Promise:” travellers who visit on a rainy day are invited to return for free up to seven days later to see the city in the sunshine!
Work up a sweat at an exercise class
While many travellers don’t see exercise classes as a way to relax on a vacation, Sydney is home to so many unique fitness classes that taking some time out to burn off some energy is actually a great way to freshen up a rainy day. Beyond the usual yoga and Muay Thai classes (though make no mistake, you’ll find some great ones in Sydney!), travellers can take part in “clubbercise,” a class modelled after a dark nightclub where participants are encouraged to let loose and dance in the name of fitness, a neon-hued 80s “Retrosweat” aerobics class, or creative trampoline classes, to name just a few.
Quick drying shoes will make everything easier.
Visit the library
We know, we know. The library? But, beyond being housed in a seriously beautiful building, the State Library of New South Wales (also known as State Library NSW) is filled to the brim with events, readings, and opportunities to spend a quiet day in the middle of a busy, and maybe even stressful, trip. Time your visit right and you could be enjoying a library tour hosted by a curator, an author talk from a bestseller, an art show, or a fascinating lecture. Arthur had it right when he said it: having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!
We know it can be tempting to give into your frustration and hide out in your hotel room all day when the forecast is less than stellar, but in a city as exciting and vibrant as Sydney, why would you need to? Whether you’re looking for heart-pounding adventure, a culture fix, or you just want to laze the day away with some great food, there are always ways to make the most out of your time in Sydney, regardless of the weather!
What’s your favourite thing to do in Sydney?
