Wet weather getting you down? While Newcastle is a beautiful place to be when the sun is shining, there's plenty to keep you busy on a rainy day. Check out our guide for things to do when it's raining in Newcastle.

Get active

Get bowling and arcade gaming at Dullboy's Social Co in Warners Bay or head to MANIAX to blow off some steam as you chuck axes (and maybe even follow up with a pizza). 

Why not try a new indoor sport? Scale the walls rock-climbing at Pulse Climbing in Adamstown and Warners Bay, tackle the indoor obstacles at Ninja Parc Cooks Hill (both adults and kids over 8), get jumping at Revolution Sports Park, or skate or scoot at Parrey Indoor Skatepark Cardiff (bookings essential).

Want to escape the rain and head to a sunny island paradise? Unreal VR in Charlestown will take you there (virtually)! Or, warm up with hot yoga – Yoga Body Works and Yoga Loft both offer these hot little classes on their schedule.

For the little ones, head to Megamania at Charlestown where they can burn some energy or putt your stuff at Holey Moley in Charlestown. There's even a fully-licensed bar for the big kids.

Eat and drink

Start off the day with a champagne breakfast at The Autumn Rooms or something less boozy at Equium Social. For a full rundown of Newcastle's best cafes, check out our guide.

Warm up with tea and scones at one of these high tea experiences, or indulge in dessert at Cakeboi or DoughHeads. 

Spend the afternoon cracking open a book over coffee at the atmospheric Press Bookhouse or sipping hot chai at Momo Wholefoods.

When it comes to dinner, Newcastle has a wealth of options where you can escape a downpour. Try our guide to Newcastle's best restaurants for somewhere to feast the night away.

Be a distiller for the day and book yourself in for a gin blending class with some friends at Earp Distilling Co. Become a cocktail or whisky expert after one of Coal and Cedar’s masterclasses. Or if beer’s more your thing, book in a brewery tour at Foghorn Brewhouse or Modus Brewing.

Belt out ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at Jam’s Karaoke and Bar on Union Street, accompanied by cocktails and Japanese bar snacks.

Or, you can't beat heading our midweek with a bunch of mates and testing your knowledge with pub trivia. 

Shopping, art and culture

Take a browse through some of the unique boutiques along Darby Street. The Colour Bug, Steel & Anchor, Willows Home Traders, Abicus, Ramjet, Cooks Hill Books, Blackbird Corner, and Eat Your Water are just some of the boutiques on this iconic street.

Wander Beaumont Street and shop the Hamilton strip featuring retailers like July Jones, Retro Wardrobe and more.

Try your hand at painting with Pinot & Picasso, get messy with clay at The Art Department or get a little risqué at LEDA Gallery's Drink & Draw life-drawing classes.

Visit one of Newcastle's many art galleries. Try Cooks Hill Art Gallery, LEDA Gallery, Wester Gallery or The Lockup, just to name a few. Or, take the kids to Newcastle Museum where there's always plenty to do, see and learn.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet, head up to Nobby’s Lighthouse (open Saturdays and Sundays) and peruse the artwork of Newcastle creatives. There’s even a shop inside!

Take yourself shopping on Maitland Road in Islington and discover some new, vintage and pre-loved treasure, must-visits include: Hide + Seeker, Stoned Saint Moon, edde, Jack Jack, The Conscious Exchange and Yardsale Trading Co. Kick back after all your shopping with a coffee at Slingtown Espresso.

Catch some live music at Franky's, The Lass O'Gowrie Hotel or The Underground.

Design and decorate a skateboard at one of Mitch Rev’s Decked Out workshops!

The movies are always an option – head to The Rooftop at Westfield Kotara where you can keep the kids occupied at Timezone and grab something to eat at one of the many restaurants before heading in to catch a movie.

Do you think we've missed somewhere worth mentioning? Email us!