The 21 Best Things to Do When it Rains in Sydney

You’ve seen the iconic surf rescue show, now it’s time to hit up the beach yourself (staying between the red flags, please). Bondi Beach is also home to the iconic Icerbergs restaurant and swimming pool. Do yourself a favour and book in for lunch and enjoy some delicious modern Australian fare, or, take a refreshing dip in arguably the world’s most beautiful saltwater pool. While we’re on the hunt for heart-racing fun, add Luna Park Sydney  to your must-visit list. Its giant beaming face on the northern side of the harbour was constructed in 1935, just three years after the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened to traffic, so it’s deeply embedded in the city’s history. It’s beautiful to gawk at but getting out on the glistening harbour is one of the most enchanting Sydney attractions you’ll ever experience.
Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad. Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot. For more travel tips and insider guides, head to our fun activities in sydney Sydney travel guide.

BridgeClimb Sydney  facilitates the adventure, offering a series of experiences. You can climb aboard and explore HMAS Vampire, Australia's largest museum vessel. There's also a tall ship, a submarine and a replica of James Cook's HMB Endeavour. Plus, inside, the museum has permanent exhibitions covering the Eora First People, Bailey – the museum's guard dog – and a cinematic look at life in the navy. The former rail yard (now a beautiful industrial cavern) is one of Sydney's most exciting contemporary arts spaces, hosting daring exhibitions, performances and weekly farmers' markets.
It's 10km long and whilst it has some uphill sections, it's generally an easy walk. Another favourite with Sydneysiders, the Spit Bridge to Manly walk takes  you around parts of the harbour less visited by tourists. It is a great alternative thing to do in Sydney that most tourists don’t seem to know about. The beach looks east, meaning you're in the perfect place for sunrise and there are not many people around.

From business lunches to intimate dinners and grand celebrations, Cafe Sydney offers a vibrant, contemporary dining experience delivered with the timeless hospitality it is renowned for. A thoughtfully curated lunch and dinner menu showcases the finest seasonal produce, perfectly complemented by an awarded Australian wine list. The Lounge and Cocktail Bar is a sophisticated space to sit back and enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail and light bite. As the sun rises, connect with the world’s oldest living culture as First Nations artwork is projected on the Sydney Opera House and flags are raised on the  Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Dawn Reflection. This event will take place from 5.20am to 5.40am, with the best vantage point for viewing the illumination being from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks.
You'll be surrounded by locals and travellers alike in this sun-soaked space that gives you 360 degree views of every part of Sydney, from the Northern Beaches to Penrith. Sink back a  fruity cocktail, snaffle some bar snacks and see Sydney from a perspective usually just reserved for a) people in planes, and b) sea eagles. The restaurant at the southern end of the beach has the most beautiful view. Bondi Icebergs is actually a clubhouse for the local swimming club, but it’s open to visitors. Acknowledging Aboriginal culture and Australia’s First Nations people, Barangaroo Reserve is a relatively new must-experience compared to the other Sydney attractions on this list. Launching as public parkland in 2015, the six-hectare space features 75,000 native plants and offers cultural tours to educate visitors on how sacred the land really is.
I  often like to walk down George or Pitt streets from Central Station to Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay to feel the beat of the city. Sailing cruises happen throughout the day, but I recommend taking one at sunset. This way you get iconic Sydney views both in the day time, at Golden Hour and at night. Sydney Tower is Sydney’s tallest free-standing structure at a height of 309 meters above the CBD. It has an observation deck, and a revolving restaurant that offers 360 panoramic views of the city.

If you’re up for another adventure from Rose Bay, the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk is a stunning way to explore some of the lesser known beaches along Sydney’s coastline. Based on the shore just north of Darling Harbour, Sydney's newest suburb is jammed packed with shiny buildings, bustling bars and classy restaurants. It's a real leap forward to the modern day in a city that can seem a bit dated (well, architecturally anyway). Along the shore line are restaurants, cafes, the Museum of Contemporary Art and street performers which line the water all the way to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It is also the central port for the ferry network, enabling you to get around the harbour by ferry. Every Friday night, Dixon Street in Chinatown is lined with market stalls selling colourful phone covers, Pokémon toys and paw-waving cats.
Nestled on the shores of Sydney Harbour and a quick 12-minute ferry ride from the CBD, Taronga Zoo is a Sydney staple and a must-visit spot for animal lovers. The zoo is home to over 4,000 animals including African lions, giraffes, zebras and native Australian animals like dingos, koalas, kangaroos, emus and wallabies. Connecting Queenscliff and Freshwater beaches, the tunnel is still the most direct route between the two seafronts without cutting through the suburban streets.

Make sure you check out the cafe on the rooftop of the art gallery, it’s got a fantastic view of the Opera House as well. Check out our full guide for the Best Art Galleries In Sydney which includes hidden gems. As Australia’s oldest botanic garden, the Royal Botanical Gardens is truly picturesque and full to the brim of native flowers and plants to learn about.
There’s also a technology lab, music room with piano for practice and rehearsals, community and meeting rooms, and a dedicated children’s area to discover. When the results of the vote were announced in favour of marriage equality for LGBTIQ people, the 30,000-strong crowd erupted in relief and jubilation. The Grace Hotel is a historic landmark just a 4-minute walk from QVB and Wynyard Light Rail. In just over an hour, you can wander amongst deep forests in the Royal National Park, hike to hidden beaches in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, or look for waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. One of the best ways to capture them is on the Sky Safari cable car – a scenic aerial ride over the zoo with breathtaking views along the way.
The North Head Sanctuary, close to the Fairfax Walk, is also worth a visit. It holds special significance to the indigenous people of the Sydney area, with Aboriginal remnants such as rock engravings and middens still visible in the headland. The Burragula Lookout is one of the most impressive lookouts in Sydney, with incredible ocean and Harbour views against the backdrop of the Sydney city skyline. The Maritime Museum is a fun and educational museum that caters for all ages and is a great way to spend an afternoon in Sydney.