What to do in Canberra when it rains
Canberra has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- National Museum of Australia Lawson Cres, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
- National Gallery of Australia Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Old Parliament House 18 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- National Portrait Gallery King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) 1 McCoy Cct, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- National Gallery of Australia Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- National Portrait Gallery King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Canberra Museum and Gallery 176 London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- Canberra Glassworks 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia
- Smith's Alternative 76 Alinga St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- The Commonwealth Club Canberra 25 Forster Cres, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Blundells Cottage Wendouree Dr, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Government House Government House, Dunrossil Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
- Captain Cook Memorial Jet Barrine Dr, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
- Government House Lookout 420 Lady Denman Dr, Molonglo Valley ACT 2611, Australia
- Old Parliament House Gardens 25 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- Historic Waterloo Bridge Memorial Acton ACT 2600, Australia
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Old Bus Depot Markets 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia
- Haig Park Village Markets Haig Park, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia
- The Corner Market Shop 1 & 3/113-119 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- The Little Burley Market Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
- SupaExpress Yarralumla & Local Liquor 23 Bentham St, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
- Curtin Pure Produce Curtin Shops, Carruthers St, Curtin ACT 2605, Australia
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- McDonald's Mort St, Braddon ACT 2601, Australia
- The Cupping Room | Cafe Canberra 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- Hotel Kurrajong Canberra 8 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600, Australia
- McDonald's Manuka 18 Flinders Way, Griffith ACT 2603, Australia
- Palace Electric Cinemas 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- The Jetty Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Canberra Centre 148 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- Old Bus Depot Markets 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia
- Kingston Foreshore 19-43 Eastlake Parade, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia
- Curtin Shops 1 Curtin Pl, Curtin ACT 2605, Australia
- Big W Car Park Canberra Centre Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- Manuka Shopping Precinct Manuka Arcade, 18 Franklin St, Griffith ACT 2603, Australia
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.