Categories > Guides and Tips
Fun Never Stops: Things You Can Do in Perth on a Rainy Day
- Check out the city’s best attractions
- Learn about Perth’s rich maritime history at the WA Maritime Museum
- See the best artworks and sculptures of the city at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
- Immerse yourself in virtual reality down at the Zero Latency Arcade
- Test your puzzle skills at Northbridge’s ESCAPE THIS
- Catch the latest flicks at the Reading Cinemas in Belmont
- Buy the latest clothing designs at the Watertown Brand Outlet Centre
- Stroll around the Fremantle Markets
- Watch a basketball game at the Perth Arena
- Check out the exotic animals of Perth Zoo
- Taste the best food and drinks in Perth
- Have a cosy breakfast at Some-day Coffee Co
- Go for a quick caffeine boost at the Giant Coffee
- Enjoy a chill drinking session at the Bobeche Bar
- Enjoy a fun dinner with your friends at Petition
The rain starts to pour, so we’ll have to stop our little tour of Perth, right? Not at all!
My city is full of fun things you can still do in bad weather. So keep your chin up and don’t let the literal rain rain on your parade.
Here are awesome things you can do in Perth on a rainy day.
Check out the city’s best attractions
1. Learn about Perth’s rich maritime history at the WA Maritime Museum
Website: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime
Address: Victoria Quay Road, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Contact details: +61 1300 134 081
Operating hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- Standard – $15
- Students and pensioners – $10
- Kids below 15 years old – FREE
Come and learn more about my city’s rich maritime history at the WA Maritime Museum. Located in the historic port city of Fremantle, this museum hosts exhibits featuring the city’s past, present, and future status as a port city.
Here you’ll find Australia’s most iconic sea vessels, like the winner of the America’s Cup, the Australia II. The WA Maritime Museum also features some artefacts gathered from the many shipwrecks across the Indian Ocean.
If you’re a fan of prehistoric animals like me, then I highly suggest you check out the museum’s Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Ocean Predators exhibit.
| Pro tip: The WA Maritime Museum offers a virtual tour of the famous HMAS Ovens. Check out their website to try it out yourself. |
2. See the best artworks and sculptures of the city at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Website: https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9492 6600
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (TUES-SUN)
It’s time for us to appreciate the works of the best artistic talents in my state at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. This art gallery features a wide range of exhibitions that use different mediums and art styles.
I visit this place from time to time because they always have a new exhibit featured every few months. It’s also located within the Perth Cultural Centre, which allows me to visit other cool places like the WA Museum Boola Bardip within the same day.
| Pro tip: You can check out what exhibitions the Art Gallery of Western Australia currently has on display through their website. |
3. Immerse yourself in virtual reality down at the Zero Latency Arcade
Website: https://zerolatencyperth.com/
Address: 248 Newcastle St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6385 2666
Operating hours:
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (TUES-THURS)
4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (FRI)
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (SAT)
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (SUN)
Explore the beautiful and exciting virtual worlds of Zero Latency Arcade. This arcade centre is one of the few in Perth that has VR playrooms where you can play almost as if you’re physically in the game.
Aside from VR playrooms, this place also has tons of arcade machines that you can spend an entire afternoon playing with.
The lads and I sometimes visit this place on weekends to unwind after a stressful week of work. The VR setups here are insane because all their stuff is wireless, which is especially awesome for FPS games.
| Pro tip: You don’t need to leave Zero Latency if you want to eat. This arcade centre has its own kitchen and bar where you can order your lunch and dinner. |
4. Test your puzzle skills at Northbridge’s ESCAPE THIS
Website: https://www.escapethis.com.au/
Address: 48 Lake St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6118 0286
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Come test your puzzle-solving skills at ESCAPE THIS in Northbridge. This entertainment centre is filled with escape rooms featuring different themes and scenarios.
A lot of their most popular escape rooms are those that are adventure-themed, like Pirate Island and The Wizard’s Chamber. However, fans of horror can also try out their horror-themed rooms, like The Possession.
Their escape rooms have varying difficulty levels, so almost anyone can enjoy their challenges.
| Pro tip: ESCAPE THIS has another branch available in Perth, which you’ll find at the Hay St. Mall in the Perth CBD. Check it out if you’ve completed all their escape rooms in Northbridge and you’re still itching for more. |
5. Catch the latest flicks at the Reading Cinemas in Belmont
Website: https://readingcinemas.com.au/cinemas
Address: Cnr Knutsford Ave &, Fulham St, Belmont WA 6104, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6272 9900
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (see their film schedules for more information)
Watching a movie is another great way to enjoy a rainy day. There are tons of movie theatres you can visit here in Perth, but my favourite has to be the Reading Cinemas in Belmont.
A big reason why this theatre is my favourite is the four types of viewing experiences it offers: Standard, Premium, Gold, and Titan XC. The Gold and Titan XC screens are great for flicks that are heavy on visual effects, like the MCU films.
The audio equipment at Reading Cinemas is also top-notch, so it’s always a blast to watch the latest blockbuster films here.
| Pro tip: Reading Cinemas in Belmont has lots of restaurants and cafes surrounding it. This cinema’s great location and close proximity to many restaurants make it an excellent place for dates. |
6. Buy the latest clothing designs at the Watertown Brand Outlet Centre
Website: https://watertownbrandoutlet.com.au/
Address: 840 Wellington St, West Perth WA 6005, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9321 2282
Operating hours:
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (MON-THURS)
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (FRI)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SAT)
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SUN)
Located just a few metres away from Elizabeth Quay is the Watertown Brand Outlet Centre. This shopping centre has more than 100 outlet stores and a bunch of restaurants you can check out after a day of shopping.
It’s a very popular shopping centre in Perth for this reason. It hosts popular clothing and sneaker brands like Puma, Levi’s, and Tommy Hilfiger.
| Pro tip: Watertown Brand Outlet regularly hosts sales to help customers save money. You can check out their Facebook page to see their latest discounts and special offers. |
7. Stroll around the Fremantle Markets
Website: https://www.fremantlemarkets.com.au/
Address: South Terrace &, Henderson St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9335 2515
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (FRI-SUN)
Come and visit one of the oldest markets in Perth, the Fremantle Markets. This market features a wide range of stalls selling food, souvenirs, fresh produce, and more.
Fremantle Markets’ pathways are also full of buskers who’ll provide you with some entertainment. You can check out the details about the market’s stalls and buskers through their website.
I regularly visit this place to restock my coffee beans. A stall here called the Coffee Connection sells me some of the best coffee beans I’ve tasted in my life.
| Pro tip: The Fremantle Markets have a 3D virtual tour on their website. Check it out so you’ll be more acquainted with the area before visiting it. |
8. Watch a basketball game at the Perth Arena
Website: https://www.racarena.com.au/
Address: 700 Wellington St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6365 0700
Operating hours: See their website for more information on game times and concert schedules
Another way to pass the time while it’s raining is to watch a basketball game. Come visit the Perth Arena (also referred to as the RAC Arena) and support our local basketball team, the Perth Wildcats.
The Perth Arena is also the home arena for other major sports teams in my city. If you’re interested in netball, then you should watch a game of West Coast Fever here.
Aside from sports, the Perth Arena is also a major venue for concerts and live performances. Some of the famous artists that will be performing at the Perth Arena in 2023 are Michael Buble and Lizzo.
| Pro tip: Perth Arena sometimes sells event tickets with the Transperth logo included. Tickets with the logo will cover all your public transportation costs for three hours before and after the event. |
9. Check out the exotic animals of Perth Zoo
Website: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/
Address: 20 Labouchere Rd, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9474 0444
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
Adult – $34.60
Child – $17.30
Senior – $27.50
Concession members (veterans, students, healthcare card holders) – $27.50
Visiting the Perth Zoo on a rainy day might be confusing to most people, but it’s actually a good time to do so. Most animals are more active during cool, rainy weather.
As the animals become more active, it’ll be easier for you to see them.
Some sections of the zoo have sheds, so you don’t need an umbrella or raincoat to visit some of the animals. However, I still recommend that you bring one so you’ll have the chance to see every animal in the zoo.
| Pro tip: The Perth Zoo offers the Close Encounters Tour. Try it out and have a chance to see their exotic animals like giraffes, red pandas, and penguins up close! |
Taste the best food and drinks in Perth
10. Have a cosy breakfast at Some-day Coffee Co
Website: https://www.somedaycoffeeco.com/
Address: 445 Cambridge St, Floreat WA 6014, Australia
Contact details: +61 422 777 558
Operating hours: 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM (MON-SUN)
The Some-day Coffee Co has always been one of my favourite places to go for a quick breakfast. On rainy days, I always find myself spending a bit more time here just to relax and observe the dark skies outside in silence.
A lot of their menu items are light, so you won’t feel bloated before going to work or school. My favourite combo on a rainy day is their avocado toast and a warm cup of cappuccino.
| Pro tip: Some-day Coffee Co sells bags of the coffee beans they use. Buy a bag or two if you want to try making their drinks at home. |
11. Go for a quick caffeine boost at the Giant Coffee
Website: https://giant-coffee.square.site/
Address: 109 James St 6A on, Nicks Ln, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Operating hours:
7:00 AM – 2:00 PM (MON-FRI)
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (SUN)
The Giant Coffee in Northbridge is my preferred choice whenever I need a quick caffeine boost. This tiny cafe is full of delicious coffees and pastries that you can pick up on the way to work.
A big reason why this cafe is so popular is its einspänner. Einspänner is an Austrian-style coffee, which is hot espresso that is topped off with cool whipped cream.
The whipped cream helps keep the coffee from spilling, making it perfect for drinking while on the move.
| Pro tip: Giant Coffee’s website lets you order in advance before reaching the store. You can use this feature so you won’t have to wait too long for your coffee to be prepared. |
12. Enjoy a chill drinking session at the Bobeche Bar
Website: https://www.bobeche.com.au/
Address: Basement |, 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9226 5596
Operating hours:
4:00 PM – 12:00 AM (TUES-THURS)
4:00 PM – 1:00 AM (FRI and SAT)
Bobeche Bar is one of the classiest places in Perth to get some alcoholic drinks. This bar’s interior is oozing with personality and style that almost makes you feel as if you’re in a movie.
There are definitely some awesome drinks to try out here, like their Tommy’s margarita and dry martini. This bar also serves non-alcoholic drinks if you or your friends aren’t fans of cocktails and spirits.
| Pro tip: You should try out Bobeche Bar’s recreation of the famous drinks featured in many famous movies and TV shows. Some of their popular cinema-inspired cocktails are the milkshake from Pulp Fiction and the Rye and Green Apple from the John Wick movies. |
13. Enjoy a fun dinner with your friends at Petition
Website: https://petitionperth.com/
Address: State Buildings, St Georges Tce &, Barrack St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6168 7771
Operating hours:
7:00 AM – 10:30 PM (MON-FRI)
8:00 AM – 10:30 PM (SAT and SUN)
Our next mini-food trip will take us to Petition, a restaurant you’ll find in the middle of the Perth CBD. This restaurant has separate menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Aside from delicious food, Petition also has a relaxing atmosphere. The interior here is very spacious and has good lighting, perfect for when the skies outside are dark and gloomy.
| Pro tip: Petition has vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options. Just ask your waiter what dishes on the menu are suitable for your diet. |
