Meet me in Sydney on a rainy day. Don’t believe the hype–of course, it rains in Sydney. How else can it be green enough for the Emerald City? Sydney is known for its glorious weather and warm sunshine, but every now and then, there’ll be a rainy day. Don’t let it spoil your visit. There is still so much beauty to see. And the cloud cover creates some great Black-and-White photo opportunities. 

Let’s meet at Circular Quay; Warrung to the First Nation people from this area. Before we explore further, we stop to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land: The Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal Elders, past, present, and emerging. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who travel with us, in person or through our words. We acknowledge them as the original storytellers and travellers across this great land. It’s a simple gesture, but important for the land, the people, and our own travels. 

The train station at Circular Quay offers a vantage point to watch the ferries coming and going. There’s nothing circular about this quay; its square blockish shape allows many ferries and water taxis to access the port with relative ease, even with visiting cruise ships. 

Circular Quay is a short walk from the Sydney Opera House and should be at the top of any wishlist to see. A rainy day in Sydney is an invitation to explore inside the Opera House. We could join any of the tours available, but my favourite is the Backstage Tour. Come with me behind the scenes, diving into the orchestra pit and sneaking into the elusive Green Room; usually an exclusive experience for performers and big-name stars. Today, it’s our domain. Plus, it’s warm and dry. 

Not that a little rain should stop us. The Sydney Opera House is an architectural wonder that deserves to be seen from every angle. Let’s brave the weather and take a look around the outside. Touch the small tiles with their tessellated appearance covering the enormous sails of the House. From a distance, the House looks like a flower sitting on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Up close, it takes shape with fine detail and design. 

It’s a short walk to the Sydney Botanic Gardens, filled with natural beauty that blooms in the rain. We can watch the ducks come out to play and listen to the frogs sing with delight in the ponds. This green oasis is right next to the bustling CBD; you can see the buildings over there, but it never feels like they are imposing on the serenity. 

We can wander through the gardens to the Art Gallery and see the latest contemporary exhibits. On the other side of the green space is the Australian Museum, with its collection of historic artifacts and lots of shiny rocks in the mineralogy exhibit. Either option includes a cafe with a view across the gardens and out to the Harbour, with a hot chocolate to warm us up. 

Before we hit the end of the day, we can fit in one last hurrah–even in the rain. Come with me back to Circular Quay! The ferries await to take us across the Harbour to the shimmering lights of Luna Park. Against the contrasting cloudy skies, Luna Park smiles and welcomes us. From the top of the Ferris wheel, we can see back to the Sydney Opera House and the Botanic Gardens. We can lose ourselves in the rides… or maybe find our younger selves again. That child-like side that still remembers how to dance in the rain. 

Sydney may glow in the sunshine for most of the year, but on a rainy day, it shimmers with silver linings. There are no bad weather days in Sydney. Every day is an opportunity to see something new. 

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On average, Sydney registers rain around 162 days a year. Even then, rainfall is usually low and for a small period of time. On the rare occasions of heavy rainfall and stormy weather, the city still offers many great sites to visit. Most of the major sites include cafes or restaurants at the top, with views of the city and Harbour. 

If you’re eager to cross the Sydney Harbour, you can easily take a ferry for a short journey to Milsons Point. It’s ideal for a visit to Luna Park or the cafe district up the hill towards the train station. You can then catch the train back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or walk–if the rain and wind have calmed down. 

For a bit more adventure, check out the Manly Ferry. It is a larger ferry that ventures from Circular Quay out past the heads to Manly. It is possibly the best (and cheapest) way to explore the Sydney Harbour. However, on rainy days, it is not for the faint-hearted. The waters can become quite choppy, and the ride can be rough. It is a grand adventure on wet and stormy days and definitely one to remember. 

During rainy weather, avoid the roads and bus system. Sydney roads can fill with water quickly, causing chaos and mayhem on the streets. Fortunately, it drains fairly quickly and will be back to normal the next day. The wind can also be cold and gusty off the Harbour. While a great reprieve during warm summers, it can bring a strong chill to the bones between April and October.