10 Indoor Activities To Enjoy In Sydney

You know Sydney as the land of sunshine, outdoor cafes, and good times. Okay, let’s pause there. The constant rains this year have shown that Harbour City is not always a nice spot to bask in the sun.

However, you shouldn’t stay indoors when the weather worsens. We have compiled a list of the best indoor activities in Sydney so you can stay dry in style. Our selection of exciting places and things to do where you can stay dry and toasty all year long has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a crafternoon, a cultural excursion, or a martini with a view.

10 Indoor Activities To Enjoy In Sydney

There are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy in Sydney, even when the weather is not cooperating. Here are some ideas:

1. Visit A Museum

Visiting a museum is a great indoor activity in Sydney, and there are several options to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular museums in Sydney:

• Australian Museum: This is the oldest museum in Australia and has a large collection of natural history and cultural exhibits. Highlights include the dinosaur skeletons, the Indigenous Australians collection, and the Pacific Islands collection.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: This museum showcases contemporary art from Australian and international artists. It has a diverse range of exhibitions, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and video art.
• Powerhouse Museum: The Powerhouse Museum is a science and technology museum that showcases the history of inventions and innovations in Australia. It has interactive exhibits on subjects such as space exploration, transport, and communication.
• Art Gallery of New South Wales: The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a large collection of Australian and international art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and has a range of educational programs.
• Hyde Park Barracks Museum: This museum is a former prison and immigration depot that has been converted into a museum. It explores the lives of the convicts and immigrants who were housed there in the 19th century.

Each museum has its admission fees, opening hours, and exhibitions, so it’s best to check their websites before planning a visit.

2. Go To The Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a great indoor activity in Sydney that’s perfect for people of all ages. The aquarium is located in Darling Harbour and has a large collection of marine animals from around Australia and the world. Some of the highlights of the aquarium include:

• The Great Barrier Reef exhibit: This exhibit showcases the diverse marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, including colourful fish, rays, turtles, and sharks.
• Penguin Expedition: Visitors can take a boat ride through a replica of a sub-Antarctic penguin habitat and observe the playful penguins.
• Shark Walk: This exhibit allows visitors to walk over a glass walkway while sharks swim beneath their feet.
• Dugong Island: This exhibit showcases dugongs, which are large marine mammals that are similar to manatees.
• Sydney Harbour exhibit: This exhibit showcases the marine life of Sydney Harbour, including seahorses, starfish, and octopuses.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except for Christmas Day. It’s a popular attraction, so it’s best to book tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

3. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are a fun and challenging indoor activity in Sydney that’s perfect for groups of friends or family. The concept of an escape room is that you and your team are locked in a room and have to solve a series of puzzles, riddles, and clues to escape within a set time limit. Here are some of the best escape rooms in Sydney:

• Mission Escape: Mission Escape has several themed rooms to choose from, including a jailbreak, a submarine, and a heist. The rooms are challenging and immersive, and they have different difficulty levels to suit all ages and experience levels.
• Escape Hunt: Escape Hunt has several locations in Sydney, and each one has different themed rooms to choose from. Some of the themes include a Sherlock Holmes mystery, a pirate’s treasure hunt, and a spy adventure.
• Labyrinth Escape Rooms: Labyrinth Escape Rooms has several themed rooms, including a haunted house, a secret laboratory, and a prison break. The rooms are challenging and well-designed, and they have different difficulty levels to suit all ages and experience levels.
• The Cipher Room: The Cipher Room has several themed rooms, including a bank heist, a detective mystery, and a time travel adventure. The rooms are well-designed and immersive, and they have different difficulty levels to suit all ages and experience levels.

Each escape room has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites before booking a room.

4. Try Indoor Rock Climbing

Indoor rock climbing is a great way to stay active and have fun indoors in Sydney. Here are some of the best indoor rock climbing facilities in Sydney:

• Climb Fit: Climb Fit has several locations in Sydney and offers a range of climbing walls for all levels of experience. They have bouldering walls, top-rope walls, and lead-climbing walls, as well as training facilities and yoga classes.
• The Edge Rock Climbing Centre: The Edge has two locations in Sydney and offers a range of climbing walls for all levels of experience. They have bouldering walls, top-rope walls, and lead-climbing walls, as well as training facilities and yoga classes.
• Urban Climb: Urban Climb has one location in Sydney and offers a range of climbing walls for all levels of experience. They have bouldering walls, top-rope walls, and lead-climbing walls, as well as training facilities and yoga classes.
• St Peters Climbing Gym: St Peters Climbing Gym is a bouldering-only gym located in the inner-west of Sydney. It has a large range of boulder problems for all levels of experience, as well as training facilities and yoga classes.
• Skywood Climbing: Skywood Climbing is a new indoor climbing facility located in the northwest of Sydney. It has a range of bouldering walls, top-rope walls, and lead-climbing walls for all levels of experience.

Each facility has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites before planning a visit. Additionally, most indoor climbing facilities require climbers to wear appropriate climbing shoes and to complete a safety briefing before climbing.

5. Watch A Movie

Watching a movie is a classic indoor activity that’s always a great option in Sydney. Here are some of the best cinemas in Sydney:

• Event Cinemas: Event Cinemas has several locations across Sydney, including George Street, Bondi Junction, and Parramatta. They show a wide range of movies, including mainstream blockbusters, independent films, and foreign-language films.
• Dendy Cinemas: Dendy Cinemas has two locations in Sydney, one in Newtown and one in Circular Quay. They show a range of movies, including art-house films, foreign language films, and mainstream blockbusters.
• Palace Cinemas: Palace Cinemas has several locations across Sydney, including Norton Street, Central, and Chauvel. They specialize in art-house films, foreign language films, and independent cinema.
• Hoyts Cinemas: Hoyts Cinemas has several locations across Sydney, including Broadway, Blacktown, and Chatswood. They show a wide range of movies, including mainstream blockbusters, independent films, and foreign-language films.
• Golden Age Cinema: Golden Age Cinema is a boutique cinema located in Surry Hills. They specialize in classic films, cult movies, and independent cinema.

Each cinema has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites for showtimes and ticket prices. Some cinemas also offer special screenings, events, and deals, so keep an eye out for those as well.

6. Visit An Art Gallery

Visiting an art gallery is a great indoor activity to do in Sydney, especially if you’re interested in art and culture. Here are some of the best art galleries in Sydney:

• Art Gallery of New South Wales: The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the most popular art galleries in Sydney, located in the beautiful Domain parklands. The gallery houses an extensive collection of Australian and international art, including paintings, sculptures, and photography. They also have regular exhibitions, events, and workshops.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is located in the heart of Sydney, overlooking Circular Quay. The museum showcases contemporary art from Australia and around the world, including installations, video art, and performance art. They also have regular exhibitions, events, and talks.
• White Rabbit Gallery: The White Rabbit Gallery is a contemporary Chinese art gallery located in Chippendale. The gallery showcases works by Chinese artists, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. They also have a tea house, bookstore, and regular events and talks.
• Australian Centre for Photography: The Australian Centre for Photography is located in Darlinghurst and showcases contemporary photography by Australian and international artists. They have regular exhibitions, workshops, and talks.
• Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences: The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences is located in Ultimo and showcases a range of art and design, including fashion, textiles, and technology. They have regular exhibitions, workshops, and talks.

Each art gallery has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites for details. Some galleries may also offer guided tours, audio guides, and other special programs to enhance your visit.

7. Play Laser Tag

Playing laser tag is a fun and exciting indoor activity that’s great for groups and individuals alike. Here are some of the best places to play laser tag in Sydney:

• Laser Siege: Laser Siege has two locations in Sydney, one in Villawood and one in Castle Hill. They offer a range of laser tag games and scenarios, including team-based games and individual games. They also have a range of other activities, including arcade games and virtual reality experiences.
• Strike Bowling Bar: Strike Bowling Bar has several locations across Sydney, including Darlinghurst, Chatswood, and Macquarie Park. They offer a range of activities, including tenpin bowling, karaoke, and laser tag. Their laser tag arena is themed like a post-apocalyptic wasteland, adding to the excitement of the game.
• M9 Laser Skirmish: M9 Laser Skirmish is located in Darling Harbour and offers a range of laser tag games and scenarios, including team-based games and individual games. They also have a range of other activities, including virtual reality experiences and arcade games.
• Darkzone Laser Tag: Darkzone Laser Tag is located in Villawood and offers a range of laser tag games and scenarios, including team-based games and individual games. They also have a range of other activities, including an indoor ropes course and a rock climbing wall.

Each laser tag facility has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites for details. Some facilities may require a minimum age or height to participate, so be sure to check these requirements before you go.

8. Indoor Trampoline Parks

Indoor trampoline parks are a fun and exhilarating way to spend time indoors in Sydney. Here are some of the best indoor trampoline parks in Sydney:

• Sky Zone: Sky Zone has two locations in Sydney, one in Alexandria and one in Macquarie Park. They offer a range of activities, including trampolining, dodgeball, basketball, and foam pits. They also have fitness classes and special events.
• Flip Out: Flip Out has several locations across Sydney, including Blacktown, Penrith, and Prestons. They offer a range of activities, including trampolining, foam pits, and climbing walls. They also have special events, including glow-in-the-dark trampolining.
• Bounce: Bounce has two locations in Sydney, one in Rhodes and one in Glen Iris. They offer a range of activities, including trampolining, basketball, dodgeball, and foam pits. They also have fitness classes and special events.
• Gravity Zone: The gravity Zone is located in Sefton and offers a range of activities, including trampolining, dodgeball, basketball, and foam pits. They also have a ninja warrior course and a parkour area.

Each trampoline park has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites for details. Some facilities may require a minimum age or height to participate, so be sure to check these requirements before you go. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated while you jump.

9. Indoor Karting

Indoor karting is a thrilling and exciting way to spend time indoors in Sydney. Here are some of the best indoor karting tracks in Sydney:

• Fastlane Karting: Fastlane Karting is located in Minto and offers a range of karting options, including standard karts, junior karts, and two-seater karts. They also have a range of other activities, including laser tag, arcade games, and virtual reality experiences.
• Spitfire Indoor Karting: Spitfire Indoor Karting is located in Campbelltown and offers a range of karting options, including standard karts, junior karts, and two-seater karts. They also have a racing simulator and an arcade area.
• Power Kart Raceway: Power Kart Raceway is located in Griffith and offers a range of karting options, including standard karts, junior karts, and two-seater karts. They also have a range of other activities, including laser tag and arcade games.
• The Kart Centre: The Kart Centre is located in Chipping Norton and offers a range of karting options, including standard karts, junior karts, and two-seater karts. They also have a racing simulator and a cafe.

Each indoor karting track has its admission fees, opening hours, and rules, so it’s best to check their websites for details. Some tracks may require a minimum age or height to participate, so be sure to check these requirements before you go. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

10. Play Board Games

Playing board games is a great way to spend time indoors in Sydney. Here are some of the best places to play board games in Sydney:

• The Games Cube: The Games Cube is located in Parramatta and offers a huge selection of board games for sale and rent. They also have tables available for customers to play their games in-store.
• Good Games: Good Games has several locations across Sydney, including Burwood, Chatswood, and Miranda. They offer a wide range of board games for sale, as well as tables available for customers to play in-store.
• The Nerd Cave: The Nerd Cave is located in Penrith and offers a range of board games, card games, and tabletop games for sale and rent. They also have a cafe area where customers can enjoy a drink or snack while playing their games.
• The Jolly Roger: The Jolly Roger is located in Sydney’s CBD and offers a range of board games, card games, and tabletop games for sale and rent. They also have a licensed bar and cafe area where customers can enjoy a drink or snack while playing their games.

These locations offer a great selection of games to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Some locations may have admission fees or require reservations, so be sure to check their websites or contact them in advance. Additionally, many cafes and bars around Sydney also have board games available for customers to play while enjoying a drink or meal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are plenty of fun indoor activities in Sydney. Whether you’re looking for a challenging escape room experience, an exhilarating indoor trampoline park, an exciting indoor karting track, or a relaxed game of board games, Sydney has something for everyone.

Additionally, Sydney is home to several museums, art galleries, and aquariums, as well as cinemas and theatres, providing ample opportunities to explore and indulge in art and culture. No matter what your interests are, there is always something new and exciting to discover in Sydney.