What to do in Sydney when it rains
Sydney keeps the rain at bay with its museums and galleries, its covered markets and its cafés — everything you need for an indoor day out.
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.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Australian Museum 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- Australian National Maritime Museum 2 Murray St, Darling Hbr, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Museum of Sydney Cnr Bridge Street &, Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- White Rabbit Gallery 30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- White Rabbit Gallery 30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
- Oxford Art Factory 3/46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
- Downtown Souvenirs & Gifts Ground Floor Shop/468 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Naala Badu The Domain, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Sydney Town Hall 483 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Mrs Macquarie's Chair Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- The University of Sydney Quadrangle (A14) University Pl, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
- The Fenwick 2-8 Weston St, Balmain East NSW 2041, Australia
- Hyde Park Barracks Queens Square, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Customs House 31 Alfred St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Sydney Fish Market 1 Bridge Rd, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia
- Paddy's Markets Haymarket Shop R1.05/13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
- Chinatown Sydney 82/84 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
- The Rocks Market George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- Glebe Markets Derby Place, Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia
- Paddington Markets 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Single O Surry Hills 60/64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
- A.P House (A.P Bakery) L2/80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
- The Grounds Coffee Factory Bay, 4a/2 Locomotive St, Eveleigh NSW 2015, Australia
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
- ivy Sydney 330 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Dymocks Sydney 424-430 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Queen Victoria Building 455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Broadway Sydney 1 Bay St, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia
- Birkenhead Point 19 Roseby St, Drummoyne NSW 2047, Australia
- Westfield Sydney Cnr Pitt St Mall &, Market St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- World Square 644 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Market City Shopping Centre Shop R1.05/13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000, 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.