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.

Pull on a raincoat and grab that brolly, it's time to get exploring …

A rainy day is the perfect excuse to explore one of Newcastle Museum's permanent exhibitions; revisit Newcastle's steel making heritage, discover our city's Indigenous roots, get hands on with science at Supernova, or learn about the sporting legends that put our city on the map. Throughout the year, the museum also hosts special exhibitions, so check their website before heading out.

Newcastle Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm - or 7 days during NSW school holidays. 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. Stay out of the rain and explore some Darby Street faves, like Abicus, Ramjet Assortments, Steel and Anchor, Hey Tilly, and Blackbird Corner. You can also stock up on handmade creations and souvenirs at Palinopsia and Made on Darby or lose yourself in a brilliant book at Cooks Hill Books & Records.

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

Travelling with kids or just 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. Or Ninja Parc Newcastle in Cooks Hill has dynamic obstacle courses suitable for all ages, an indoor zipline - yes you read right - and even indoor rock climbing.

In Adamstown, just a short drive from Newcastle CBD, Pulse Climbing offers a range of climbs for all skill levels, perfect for first-time climbers through to seasoned pros.

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.

Not far from axe throwing is Escape Reality Escape Rooms, where you can test your lateral thinking skills, laugh a whole lot, and just figure out how to get out of there!

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.

While tickets can sell out in advance at the Civic Theatre, it is well-worth checking at the Box Office for last minute seats, especially if the rain looks to be setting in. Firmly established on the Australian national touring circuit, the theatre hosts a wide range of live performance events weekly; comedy, opera, live bands, ballet ... you name it, Newcastle's beloved heritage listed 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, plus its central location makes enjoying a pre-show lunch or dinner at one of the nearby venues a breeze, or simply treat yourself to a drink at the Civic Theatre Bar and settle in for the show.

Newcastle's picturesque coastline has many bars, cafes, and restaurants, all with incredible views of the ocean. Nab a window seat to watch the rain and waves roll in, while treating yourselves to delicious produce, local brews and wines, and rainy day chats with your travelling crew.  

Merewether Surfhouse sits above Merewether Beach, so it is the ideal spot to watch this part of our coast. Or just back from the road The Beach Hotel also offers incredible views, especially from upstairs at the fine dining restaurant, Peregrin. At Newcastle Beach, Estabar is a much-loved cafe, serving fresh locally sourced produce, and their window bench is a great spot to pull up a seat and rain watch.

Or for a completely different view of the water, head along Newcastle Harbour to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, where the drinks are cold and the nearby yachts will be bobbing gently in the rain, making for a wonderfully moody backdrop to your rainy day adventure.

Depending on the time of year, rainy days can actually be a lot of fun to be out and about it in. Beach kiosks will see you right amongst the action at Merewether, Bar Beach, Newcastle, and Nobbys. Feel the spray on your face as you enjoy a warm cuppa or a fresh acai.

Newcastle has a strong creative scene with over 18 independent art galleries dotted around the city. Take a look at our Art Lovers' Guide to Newcastle to get all the best tips of where to head. Opening times will vary, so it is best to check directly with each gallery before braving the weather.

There are also a variety of opportunities to get hands on to paint, sculpt, and create the rainy day away. Pinot and Picasso, The Art Department, and Mitch Revs Decked Out are just a few of the centrally located creative workshops. Take a look at our article, When Creativity Calls, for a detailed list of available creative options. 

Rain or shine, you're bound to have a good time in Newcastle. Enjoy!