Melbourne On a Rainy Day: 11 Things To Do

Melbourne is brimming with beautiful attractions and outdoor adventures you won’t find anywhere else. It boasts world-class cultural institutions, high-end restaurants, thrilling sports events, and vibrant laneways. Hidden gems are also located throughout Melbourne CBD, so you don’t need to go far to enjoy its amazing offerings. There’s always a sense of fun and excitement here that makes you want to come back for more.

However, its unpredictable weather may surprise you, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. As you may have heard, Victoria’s capital has ‘four seasons in one day.’ It can go from scorching hot to rainy, and then freezing or hailing at night. You might’ve checked the average weather conditions during your travel period to ensure you won’t be dealing with a dreary rainy day. Still, the heavens open, and it starts pouring as soon as you arrive at your hotel.

But a rainy day shouldn’t ruin your vacation. Don’t let a downpour dampen your enthusiasm. You can still maximize your holiday with plenty of indoor activities and great places to visit in Melbourne on a rainy day. Melburnians know how to have fun despite the rainstorms, so you’ll find endless ways to amuse yourself.

Before starting your rainy day adventure, be sure to store your belongings safely with reliable luggage storage in Melbourne. That way, you don’t have to carry around excess bags while beating the rain.

Plan a Trip to Rampfest Indoor Skate Park

For those looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity on a rainy day in Melbourne, check out one of the best indoor skate parks in Victoria’s capital. Rampfest has been around since 2008, featuring over 1,000 square meters of indoor skate space. The park has a smooth plywood surface and a full-floating floor for an unparalleled riding experience.

Different ramps are available for all skill levels and various types of users. You’ll find a two-feet mini ramp, nine-feet Vert Bowl Corners, and a large box jump and transfers everywhere. And if you’re reluctant to come because you don’t have any equipment, Rampfest provides helmets and scooters for hire. It is located at Hillary Street in Braybrook, just about ten kilometers away from Melbourne CBD.

Visit the Melbourne Museum

Whether you love history or not, exploring the Melbourne Museum should always be part of your Melbourne rainy day activities. It provides a rich insight into the colorful life in Victoria through its exhibitions and fascinating permanent collections. It will allow you to get close to nature, understand culture and history, discover science, and learn more about different aspects of life.

See one of the oldest fossil plants in Victoria, and don’t miss the chance to meet Horridus the Triceratops. It is Australia’s most complete real dinosaur and one of the world’s most fascinating creatures. It was excavated after about sixty-seven million years, consisting of over 260 bones.

The museum has a number of galleries where you can learn about Victoria’s origin and evolution. It also houses an Aboriginal cultural center designed to celebrate the culture, history, survival, and achievements of the state’s Aboriginal people.

Melbourne Museum is the largest museum you'll find in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s located in the Carlton Gardens, adjacent to the Royal Exhibition Building. It is open daily, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Check out the Sea Life Aquarium

One of the best indoor activities in Melbourne on a rainy day, especially when traveling with kids, is going to an aquarium. Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is one of the world’s best interactive aquariums you’ll find at the heart of the coastal city. It’s home to thousands of incredible marine creatures, including seadragons, sharks, and turtles swimming over your head at the floating oceanarium.

This world-class aquarium offers its visitors engaging, educational, and entertaining experiences, thanks to its great displays, diver presentations, and interactive animal encounters. The building extends about 23 feet below the surface level, so you can see various oceanic species close to their natural habitat.

A visit to the aquarium will take you on a fascinating interactive ocean adventure in rainy weather. It’s the first to hold a 2.2 million liter oceanarium, including a panoramic viewing glass for a close marine life encounter. It is open from Thursday through Monday between 9 am to 5 pm.

Tour the National Gallery of Victoria

For art lovers, don’t forget to stop at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) on a rainy day and make sure it’s part of your Melbourne tours. It’s the country’s oldest and most visited gallery, located in two stunning buildings.

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is the first major gallery in the world exclusively dedicated to Australian art. It showcases non-indigenous and indigenous art from the past to the present day. On the other hand, the NGV International in St. Kilda Road is home to international art, featuring an extensive collection from America, Asia, Europe, and Oceana.

Entry to both galleries is free. They are open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. They are only a short walking distance from each other, so make sure you explore these art galleries and see over 70,000 works of art. There’s no shortage of visual arts experiences at NGV with its huge collection of displays, diverse exhibitions, kid-friendly programs, tours, performances, talks, and more.

Explore Queen Victoria Market

Are you looking for an authentic Melbourne shopping and dining experience just a short walk from the city center? If so, taste fresh veggies and fruits, discover great spices and ingredients, and shop for clothing, souvenirs, and unique products at Queen Victoria Market. It’s a bustling market home to more than 600 small retail businesses, shops, and boutiques in a multicultural and vibrant atmosphere.

Besides shopping, this large open-air market is a favorite destination to chill and hang out with friends and family. It also hosts various events, including an indoor food tour, where you’ll taste authentic delicacies, learn cooking tips, meet some of the market’s traders, and learn more about its history.

From June 1st to August 31st, you can attend the much-anticipated Winter Night Market every Wednesday night, between 5 pm to 10 pm. It features over thirty-five of the city’s best street food traders, and you’ll find a line-up of beverage, food, and shopping stalls.

Scienceworks Museum

Another museum you should add to your list of Melbourne rainy day activities is the Scienceworks Museum. It’s a paradise for science geeks and a perfect spot for curious minds no matter their age. It opened its doors to the public in 1992, and since then, it has been a space for everyone to play with and enjoy science.

Explore Scienceworks and enrich your knowledge while being entertained through immersive exhibitions and participating in events. It’s also a great place to understand artificial intelligence and machine learning, attend the robotics and coding workshop, and go deep into space in the Planetarium.

If you’re planning an indoor exhibition in the museum, it is open every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm, except on Christmas Day and Good Friday. It also welcomes individuals with mobility and accessibility requirements.

Do Indoor Rock Climbing and Bouldering

Just because it’s pouring in Melbourne doesn’t mean you can’t do any adventure activity you’d typically do outdoors. Thanks to indoor rock climbing facilities around the city, you can now build strength, improve coordination, test your endurance, and have an adrenaline-packed experience without going outside.

Whether you’re a pro, currently building experience, or just getting experience, there are numerous indoor rock climbing centers in Victoria’s capital for all ages and fitness levels. Check out Hardrock Climbing for the ultimate rock climbing in Nunawading and the central business district. You can also try Bayside Rock Climbing, offering high ropes course, bouldering areas, and rock climbing venues for every size and age.

These facilities prove that indoor activities don’t have to be boring and unproductive. Bouldering and rock climbing indoors are challenging yet rewarding and can boost your stamina and strength.

Play Arcade Games

It’s always a lot of fun to play arcade games, no matter your age. And if a rainy day in Melbourne prevents you from exploring the great outdoors, it can be an exciting thing to do with friends and loved ones. So tap into your inner child and enjoy a couple of hours of arcade games in the city.

Head to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and try your luck against their retro arcade games. Games galore and fabulous rewards and prizes await you here. Aside from the arcade games, you can also invite your gang to a bowling match or a thrill ride. Who knows, you might get your hands on the highly-coveted collectibles sitting at the top of the jackpot. Located at Docklands’ The District, Archie Brothers ensures that your every second and penny is well spent here.

The Fortress Melbourne is another destination you can consider for social gaming. It’s the largest video gaming and e-sports entertainment venue in the Southern Hemisphere, located on the ground level of Emporium Melbourne. It also hosts tournaments and private events for special celebrations.

Take a Tram Ride

Do you want to see some of the best attractions while staying dry on a wet day in Melbourne for free? Well, don’t hesitate to hop on the City Circle Tram. It’s a convenient and accessible way to get around the central city and see the major tourist spots around the area. Tourists, families, office workers, and shoppers can use the tram to travel to shops, famous city sites, and events.

There’s an audio commentary to provide visitors with details of popular places and landmarks. These include Docklands, Melbourne Aquarium, the Princess Theatre, City Museum, and the Parliament house. You can spend all day on the tram and get off wherever you want.

Attend a Cooking Class

Instead of staying in your hotel room the whole day, why not enhance your culinary skills and attend a cooking class in Melbourne? It doesn’t matter if you’re already an experienced chef looking to polish your cooking prowess or feel you’re hopeless in the kitchen. You’ll undoubtedly learn a thing or two about crafting tasty dishes and make your rainy day in Melbourne more productive than ever.

Get helpful cooking tips and tricks at La Cucina di Sandra to prepare for dinner parties and home-cooked meals. You’ll also learn how to shop for the right ingredients and meat cuts in an intimate cooking class. If you want to know how to make flavorful Asian cuisine, you might want to attend a class at OTAO Kitchen. Plus, you’ll get an inside scoop on the best places to buy the right cookware and Asian ingredients.

Win Escape Room Games

If you’re on the lookout for something challenging and enthralling, spend a rainy afternoon with your friends in an escape room in Melbourne. Escape rooms here come in different themes; some are mysterious with interesting storylines, while others are colorful and magical.

Rush Escape Games, for instance, have movie-inspired escape rooms. They have a good selection of daring escape rooms that will test your wit and instincts and compel you to sharpen your mind. For a more immersive experience, try the LOST in Melbourne Escape Rooms. The atmosphere and special effects in their rooms are out of this world, offering more immersive experiences for everyone. Gather your friends and family members and test your teamwork and critical analysis to win the race against time.

Indoor Activities on a Rainy Day in Melbourne

Rainy days in Melbourne can come around more often than we’d like. Even if it’s hot and sunny in the morning, the weather can quickly turn sour with heavy rain and storm later in the day. Thankfully, this lively city offers countless entertainment opportunities and beautiful indoor sites to keep you amused and busy despite the pouring rain. No matter your interest or activity you want to try, Melbourne has excellent activities and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Looking for even more things to do in Melbourne on a rainy day? Check out these other guides:

Best Brunch In Melbourne: The Definitive Guide
Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Melbourne
The Best Museums In Melbourne