Rainy day activities in Newcastle

Newcastle is a city that shines in sunny weather, but there's still plenty to see, do and discover when the weather rains on your parade.

Rug up, grab that brolly and get exploring …

Revisit Newcastle's steel making heritage, our city's Indigenous roots, and learn about the sporting legends that put our city on the map. Newcastle Museum is open Tuesday - Sunday and has a mix of permanent collections and seasonal exhibitions. The permanent collections are free for visitors.

Downtown Darby Street is home to quirky shops and great boutiques filled with homewares, records, clothing and gifts.

It's a shopping haven that is renowned for being Newcastle's best "eat street" where you could find great coffee and loads of options for boujey breakfasts, long lunches and delightful dinners.

Kids have extra energy to burn? Adults and kids alike can get bouncing at Revolution Undercover Trampoline Park. It's one of the largest trampoline arenas in Australia and only five minutes from the city centre in Maryville.

No need to axe your plans for a fun day out just because of a little rain! Head to MANIAX Axe Throwing in the heart of the city on King Street and get ready for target practice. Whether you just want a quick chuck or are ready for a full blown tournament, MANIAX has you covered. Enjoy a beer and burger or split a cheesy pizza as you hone your hatchet-hurling technique.

Delve into the history and flavours of gin at Earp Distilling Co's gin master class where you will craft two gins unique to your taste and designed for your palette. Make sure you sample a paddle of Earp's unique crafted gins, or stick around and see what events and workshops they might be hosting in their unique distillery room.

If beer's more your thing, head to Modus Merewether for a brewery tour and enjoy delicious, brewery-fresh Modus beers poured from 36 frosty taps.

Comedy, opera, live bands, ballet ... you name it, the heritage listed Civic Theatre shows it. Considered one of NSW's finest theatres, designed by prominent theatre architect Henry Eli White, the interior space is just as magical as the performances.

The Civic Theatre is firmly established on the Australian national touring circuit and hosts a wide range of live performance events weekly.

Test your agility and burn some energy on the rope climbs, bouldering challenges, vertical and horizontal doors, and a sea of poles at the Ninja Parc indoor obstacle course.

For rock climbing enthusiasts, Pulse Climbing provides a fun, social and safe place to keep you fit and test your skills.

Get along to Merewether Surfhouse and watch the weather with some of the best views of the Newcastle coastline. Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can sit back, relax and watch the waves roll in.

A good book, a steaming cuppa and a quiet corner is all you need to re-charge on a rainy day. On any given day of the week you can find all three at the cosy and quirky Press Book House in Hunter Street.

Or you can make your way to Cooks Hill Books to find the perfect book and maybe a new plant to spruce up you reading nook.

For something completely different, test your lateral thinking in a real-life interactive team game at the Unexpected Exit Escape Rooms. Get locked in an escape room, work with your friends or colleagues to solve the clues and break free.

There's nothing like cold and wet weather to drum up an appetite, and Newcastle definitely delivers. If you are looking for more than just amazing coffee or a local wine, check out our list of Newcastle's best restaurants and best breakfast spots.