Just because the skies are falling, doesn't mean you have to sit around doing nothing. We've picked out the best things to do in Sydney when it rains, from movie marathons and indoor climbing centres to our favourite pubs with fireplaces and cheap and cheerful eateries.
We enjoy ludicrously good weather in Sydney – about 85 per cent of the time. Unfortunately, on those seldom-seen rainy weeks every now and then, we tend to become damp, grizzly umbrella murderers, as devoid of manners as we are proper wet weather footwear. But worry not, oh rained-on masses, we're here to keep you in line. Simply follow these handy hints on how to not be that person when the heavens open in Sydney.
Accept that your food delivery will be late
You know what every single other office worker is thinking when it starts bucketing down at 11am? “How do I get my lunch without getting wet?”. If you genuinely can’t face the weather, remember that delivery services are getting slammed with orders from people just like you, and so you can either get your own food, or accept that it’ll be an hour later than you hope. Those are your options, and there’s no point getting snarky with the person who did brave the downpour to bring you ramen/pizza/Thai food.
Do not steal from the umbrella bucket
This is an honour system. No one likes a drippy, slippery floor so we all agree to leave our rain barriers at the door and only leave with the crappy folding black one we arrived with, not that fetching one with the Museum of Modern Art masterpiece on it.
You either have to go high or low with your umbrella
All umbrellas can’t stay at head height on footpaths – they won’t fit. Someone needs to go high in a crowd, and someone needs to go low, and you should pick a height early so everyone can adapt smoothly around you. Also, the tallest person in a sharing situation holds the umbrella, them's the rules.
Don’t hog the awnings
If you have a brolly, walk on the rainy side and leave the awning protection for less well-prepared people. In particular, do not force anyone to walk along the drip zone – those chubby droplets right down your collar are unpleasant
Move with purpose on public transport
People want to get off fast but also get on just as quickly to get out of the weather. Now is not the time for dilly-dallying by the doors. Sort your shit before your stop arrives and don’t scramble for your Opal only once you reach the doors.
Invest in a better umbrella
Just from a sheer wastage perspective, buying the same crappy $10 umbrella each time it rains is not the go. Get a good one, one that won’t turn inside out, one in an eye-catching colour so cars don’t hit you. The sad umbrella graveyards in the city’s bins are not a good use of resources.
Driving? Slow down through those gutter rivers
Yes, we’re all in a hurry, but sending a tidal wave of swampy gutter water over unsuspecting pedestrians is as douchey a move as it gets. Don’t be the villain in this story, safe and dry in your car.
Don’t shake your umbrella at people
Get the excess water off by all means, but don’t spray someone in the face like you’re a dirty dog on bath day, and be careful where your umbrella is dripping. It could be on the ground, or it could be on someone else’s shoes.
Stop talking about the rain
We are all under the same sky. We are all slightly damp. We are all choosing between a dwindling pile of socks and using the dreaded electricity-sucking dryer. We're right there with you.
Spare a thought for people sleeping rough
Hard weather hits our most vulnerable populations the hardest, so since you’re stuck inside maybe it’s worth going through your cupboards and seeing what warm gear you could donate to homelessness charities and support services.
Embrace tunnel life
The one that goes from Wynyard Station to Barangaroo is a godsend, as is the one that will allow you to get between Pavilion on George, Town Hall, QVB, Meyer and Pitt Street. From there you head up into the glass gangway into Westfield without ever having to be under the open sky.
Don’t wear thongs
We know they’re technically waterproof, but the squelching noise is deeply unpleasant and you’ll end up with splash-back all the way up to your shoulder blades.
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