Things to do on a Rainy Day in Melbourne

Melbourne is a lovely city full of beautiful gardens, cosmopolitan cafes and great shopping, but it has also gained a reputation for having unpredictable weather and temperature conditions - one day may be a scorching affair full of heat and the next the temperature may drop 10 degrees and be a totally rainy day with multiple downpours. Because of this, having a list of things to do on rainy days in Melbourne makes for an extremely useful thing to have - and with a range of enjoyable activities and experiences that can be had indoors, there is no need to get down and cancel your holiday plans because of wet weather. We've put together a list of our recommendations for the best things to do in Melbourne when it's raining so that you and your friends or family can still have a fun-filled day out - without having to deck yourself out in a poncho and industrial-strength umbrella! Check out our list of recommendations below:

Melbourne Aquarium

The water may be cascading down from the skies above, but that doesn't mean you can't also enjoy viewing it from underneath! The world-class Melbourne Aquarium offers a completely under-cover attraction that makes for an enjoyable day out for both adults and families alike. The venue, located near the heart of the Melbourne CBD, is easily accessible by public transport with public transport such as train and bus stations close by, meaning that getting from A to B without getting saturated is a definite possibility. The aquarium contains thousands of tropical, cold, fresh and saltwater fish, mammals and myriad other impressive creatures on display, with visitors having the ability to walk both through and under the various river and ocean settings, feeling and seeing the marine life swim beside and over you. Melbourne Aquarium provides a great day out surrounded by water - without being covered in it!
Address: King Street, Melbourne CBD, Victoria 3000
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Ten Pin Bowling

Ten Pin Bowling proves the old adage that "the classics never die", and stands as a great and entertaining way for groups of both family and friends to spend the hours indoors while also offering a fun challenge that can be taken just as seriously as you'd like it. Melbourne's Strike Bowling Bar takes the standard bowling adventure to another level by incorporating all the latest in modern audio-visual technology in order to enhance the experience. At Strike Melbourne, you can expert not only bowling but also large, high definition screens playing all the latest and greatest chart-topping musical hits, neon lighting designed to add to the atmosphere, pool tables to shoot a round or three, private karaoke booths that you can use to belt out a few tunes, and a deluxe bar that offers drinks throughout your time there (which, coincidentally, may assist in boosting your courage to participate in the aforementioned karaoke!). A great outing for entertainment when the rain is bucketing down, Strike Bowling Bar Melbourne offers plenty of entertainment options - all while sheltered under the one roof.
Address: 245 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne CBD, Victoria
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The Melbourne Museum

Annually ranked among the top 10 of attractions in Melbourne, the Melbourne Museum is a large facility that plays host to all manner of exhibitions and provides a prime location to spend a rainy day. As an added bonus, the museum also strives to cater to kids, making it a destination that not only adults but also entire families can enjoy. Separated into different sections, each of which aims to encompass a different part of either history, culture or nature, the museum also contains an extremely unique "indoor rainforest" full of information about birds, frogs lizards and more that many feel is the highlight of their visit. With such a variety of both permanent and temporary exhibits on display, you would be hard pressed not to find something interesting at the Melbourne Museum - an IMAX theatre, a section dedicated to Phar Lap, numerous dinosaurs and much more are just the tip of the iceberg! The museum itself is located in the Carlton Gardens of Melbourne, adjacent to the Royal Exhibition Building, making it both easy to locate and to access.
Address: 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, VIC 3053
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The ScienceWorks

A more modern spin on a similar vein to the Melbourne Museum, the Scienceworks is always a popular drawcard for people to visit on rainy days. With a huge range of displays and models that showcase the weird and wonderful world of modern science, the emphasis is placed on interactivity and a "hands-on" feel. The level of participation makes the venue a great destination for kids, offering them not only fun but also educating them along the way - from the very young up to teenagers, with adults also having a blast. Nearly all exhibits on show have something to either look, touch, move, turn, listen or climb, and those that aren't interactive are almost always visually impressive - especially the acclaimed "Lightning Room", a show that demonstrates the incredible visual spectacle of a giant Tesla coil that is capable of generating up to two million volts of electricity and 3m-long lightning bolts along with it! The Scienceworks also operates alongside Melbourne Planetarium, which provides another interesting venue with a galactic focus. The ScienceWorks is open daily from 10:00am to 4:30pm and can be easily accessed via public transport including train and ferry.
Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood, VIC 3015
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Visit Parliament House

Melbourne's Parliament House is an impressive structure and its buildings stand as a testament to the architectural style of Australia's colonial era. Constructed at the height of the Victorian gold rush in the late 1800's, it has an extravagant interior inlaid with many exquisite gold decorations that highlight the handiwork that went into its construction. Admission is free, and there are tours that run regularly throughout the day run by knowledgeable and informative tour guides who will provide you with many interesting facts throughout the duration. The tour will take you into the green-carpeted Legislative Assembly (home of the Lower House of the Victorian government), and also to the Queen's Hall within which stands an impressive statue of Queen Victoria as well as two stunningly-large chandeliers, then lastly to the magnificent gold-trimmed Parliamentary Library and its towering ceilings and ornate plasterwork. From here you will be able to see the beautiful gardens that surround the facility including bowling green and tennis court. The public tours are conducted on days where Parliament is not in session, taking place at 9:30am, 10:30a, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:45pm from Monday to Friday, and bookings for groups of less than 6 people are not required.
Address: Spring Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
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Alternatively, if the weather clears up and you're looking for a full range of things to do in Melbourne, be sure to check out our main Melbourne region section for our full catalogue of available experiences!