_edited_edited.png)
What to Do in the Shire & Sydney When It's Raining ☔️
- a few seconds ago
- 4 min read
Rainy Sydney days don't need to be a write-off. In fact, some of the best experiences are indoors — warm, dry, and actually fun.
Whether you're planning a kids day out, a girls day, a date day, or you just need to get out of the house, here are the best rainy-day activities in the Shire & Sydney - with places you can book and visit anytime.
Immersive Indoor Experiences in Sydney 🌧️✨
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience 🫧
If you haven't done this yet — add it to your rainy day list. Bubble Planet is a colourful, sensory indoor experience with themed rooms, giant bubbles, balloon-style spaces and interactive exhibits.
Where: Paddington Pavilion (Gate 4), Sydney Olympic Park
Until: Feb 8, 2026Price: From $29.90 (kids), $37.90 (adults), under 4 free
Duration: 60–90 minutes
👉 Book tickets: bubble-planet.com/sydney
Best for: Families, kids + mums, girlfriends, anyone who loves fun photos
Museum of Illusions 🌀
One of the best indoor activities in the CBD — full of mind-bending rooms, optical illusions and interactive exhibits that are fun for adults and kids.
Where: 413 George Street, Sydney CBDPrice: Adults $47, Child (5–12) $36, Family (2A+2C) $152, under 4 free
👉 Book tickets: moisydney.com
Best for: Families, teens, tourists, girlfriends
Mind Games: Art Alive 🎭✨
This one is seriously cool — an immersive art and illusion experience with 10+ interactive rooms and 60+ exhibits by visionary artists. Think cosmic 3D illusions, upside-down spaces, and living art.
Where: 154–160 Broadway, Chippendale (Levels 1 & 2)
Hours: 10am–8pm daily
Price: From $30–$40
Parking: Free at Broadway Shopping Centre
👉 Book tickets: mindgamesartalive.com.au/sydney
Best for: Adults, teens, couples, "something different" days
Museums & Galleries 🖼️
Australian Museum 🦖
A rainy-day hero — dinos, nature, interactive exhibitions. You can easily spend hours here without noticing the weather.
Where: 1 William Street, Sydney CBD
Price: Adults $25, Kids (4–15) $15, under 4 free
👉 Book tickets: australian.museum
Best for: Kids + families (and honestly adults too)
Art Gallery of NSW 🎨
One of the best free rainy-day options. Warm indoor space, stunning exhibitions, and it feels like a proper day out.
Where: Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Price: FREE (special exhibitions may have charges)
Hours: 10am–5pm daily
Best for: Girlfriends day, solo reset, low-key city day
Indoor Shows & Entertainment 🎟️
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience 🍽️😂
If you want something different (and SO funny), this is a fully interactive dining show where you become part of the chaos. It's the ultimate rainy-night plan because it's warm, indoors, and guaranteed laughs.
Where: Sydney Opera House (Feb 16–21, 2026) + other venues throughout the year
Price: $199–$252 (includes 3-course meal + 2-hour show)
Times: Dinner 7:30 pm, Lunch (Wed/Sat) 12:30pm
👉 Book: sydneyoperahouse.com
👉 Other dates: interactivetheatre.com.au
Best for: Couples, girls night, birthdays
Rainy Day Ideas in the Shire 💙☔️
Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Gymea 🎨
Your perfect Shire rainy-day plan: galleries + exhibitions + café all in one. Air-conditioned, cultural, and you can easily spend a few hours here.
Where: 782 Kingsway, Gymea
Price: FREE
Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm
👉 More info: sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/hazelhurst
Best for: Mums, girlfriends, chill slow days
Flip Out Caringbah 🤸♀️
If it's raining and the kids have too much energy — this one's a lifesaver. Indoor trampoline park with ninja courses, soft play areas, and activities for all ages.
Where: Caringbah (Taren Point Rd)
Price: From $10/hr (Monday specials), general sessions approx. $20–$25
Note: Toddler sessions available (5 and under)
👉 Book here: flipout.com.au/caringbah
Best for: Families, tweens, rainy afternoon plans
Zone Bowling Southgate, Sylvania 🎳
The perfect rainy-day combo — bowling + arcade games + food all in one spot.
Where: 27 Port Hacking Rd, Southgate Shopping Centre, Sylvania
Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–10pm, Sat 9am–Midnight, Sun 9am–10pm
Parking: Free at Southgate
Best for: Families, birthday parties, groups, rainy day entertainment
Cinema Day 🎬
When it's pouring, a movie is always a win. Go to the movies + grab food after and it becomes a whole outing.
Top Shire picks:
Hoyts Cronulla – Cronulla Village Shopping Centre
Event Cinemas Miranda – Westfield Miranda
Cozy Café Hangs ☕
Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is just finding a café to settle into. Perfect when you just want to escape the house but keep it low-key.
Mr Paisley, Caringbah – great coffee + relaxed vibe
Cronulla RSL – easy family option with space for kids
Folk, Gymea – cosy local favourite with a kids play area so you can enjoy your coffee while they play
Easy Rainy Day "Plan Combos" ✔️
If you've got kids:
Bubble Planet + lunch at Olympic Park
Australian Museum + quick city lunch
Flip Out Caringbah + movie at Miranda
Zone Bowling Southgate + shopping at Southgate
For a girls day:
Museum of Illusions + city cocktails
Art Gallery NSW + lunch + wander The Rocks
Mind Games: Art Alive + Broadway Shopping Centre
For a date day:
Mind Games: Art Alive + dinner in Chippendale
Faulty Towers Dining Experience (all-in-one)
Museum of Illusions + rooftop bar
Staying in the Shire:
Hazelhurst + café
Movie + dinner combo
Flip Out + takeaway
Zone Bowling + Southgate browse
Quick Rainy Day Backup Plans (No Planning Needed)
If you wake up to rain and don't want to overthink it, here are easy "grab-and-go" ideas:
Miranda combo: Westfield browse + lunch + Event Cinemas
Cronulla combo: Hoyts + early dinner + dessert
Sylvania combo: Zone Bowling + arcade + food in one spot
Gymea combo: Hazelhurst gallery + café catch up
City combo: Museum of Illusions + lunch + shopping on George Street
Final Word
Rainy weekends don't have to mean staying home. Sydney and the Shire are full of indoor experiences that are honestly better when it's raining — from Bubble Planet and Museum of Illusions to galleries, museums, trampoline parks and bowling.
✨ Save this blog for the next wet weekend — you'll use it again and again.
