Perth Rainy Day Activities

Rainy day activities in Perth fall into indoor visits and tours that run whatever the weather. Below is where to spend a wet day around the city, from the aquarium at Hillarys to the stadium at Burswood and a Saturday night out on the Swan River.

Animal encounters under cover

Experience Oz lists AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia under rainy day activities, and it's a popular choice for a wet afternoon. It's at 91 Southside Drive in Hillarys, and it's worth planning a 3-hour visit at least. A conveyor belt carries you through an underwater tunnel with sharks and stingrays overhead, Ocean Guide talks and tours run through the day, and the Discovery Pool lets you touch a starfish.

Young kids get free Storytime, a toddler playground and colouring-in. Schools and families tend to visit in the morning, so the afternoon is quieter, and the aquarium is busiest in summer and during school holiday periods. For more animal visits, the Perth zoos and aquariums page has the rest.

Behind-the-scenes stadium tours at Burswood

Optus Stadium sits on the banks of the Swan River at 333 Victoria Park Drive in Burswood. A 90-minute guided tour goes into the change rooms and up to the Sky View Lounge for views of the city and the river, with a collection of WA sporting memorabilia along the way. Wheelchair and pram access is available throughout. Tours leave from The Ozone on the west side of the stadium at 10am, 11am and 12pm, and they don't run on event days or public holidays.

For a longer outing, a stadium tour with a cafe lunch and a drink adds a meal at the City View Cafe, and the tour takes in the change rooms of the Fremantle Dockers, West Coast Eagles and Perth Scorchers.

Evening cruises from Barrack Street Jetty

Experience Oz also lists the Swan River dinner cruise under rainy day activities. The Swan River dinner cruise is a 2.5-hour trip that leaves Pier 3 at Barrack Street Jetty at 7pm on Saturdays and returns at 9.30pm. It comes with a hot and cold buffet, a dessert buffet and live entertainment, and the city lights reflect off the river. It's a popular choice for a Saturday night.

Outdoor tours that run whatever the weather

Some tours go ahead in the rain. The rooftop walks at Optus Stadium run in all weather conditions, and very high winds or electrical storms are what postpone them. The HALO rooftop tour is a 90-minute, 360 degree walk around the top of the stadium. Wear enclosed, flat shoes with good grip, and dress for the weather.

On the water, the Mandurah Giants and dolphin cruise goes ahead in all weather as long as it's safe, so dress for the conditions. It's a 2-hour cruise past Thomas Dambo's giant recycled-wood sculptures, with live music and a licensed bar.

More wet-weather ideas around Perth

The things to do in Perth page covers the whole region, and Perth attractions, cultural experiences in Perth and Perth food and drink experiences are good places to look for more. For wet days elsewhere in the country, Experience Oz lists rainy day things to do across Australia.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do in Perth when it rains?

In Perth, a rainy day suits AQWA, a guided Optus Stadium tour or a Saturday-night Swan River dinner cruise. Some outdoor tours also run in the rain, including the Optus Stadium rooftop walks and the Mandurah Giants cruise.

Is AQWA a good rainy day activity in Perth?

Yes. Experience Oz lists AQWA under rainy day activities. Plan a 3-hour visit at least, with Ocean Guide talks, an underwater tunnel and a Discovery Pool where you can touch a starfish.

Do Optus Stadium tours run in the rain?

The Optus Stadium rooftop tours run in all weather conditions, though very high winds or electrical storms can postpone them. The standard guided tour leaves at 10am, 11am and 12pm, and doesn't run on event days or public holidays.

Are there rainy day activities in Perth for kids?

Yes. AQWA has free Storytime, a toddler playground and colouring-in for young children, along with touch pools and talks for older kids.

When does the Swan River dinner cruise run?

The Swan River dinner cruise runs on Saturdays only. It leaves Pier 3 at Barrack Street Jetty at 7pm and returns at 9.30pm, and it includes a hot and cold buffet, dessert and live entertainment.

Are Perth's rainy day activities wheelchair friendly?

AQWA is wheelchair friendly, and the Optus Stadium guided tour has wheelchair and pram access throughout. Access on boats and other tours varies, so check each experience page before you book.

What should I wear on a rainy Optus Stadium rooftop tour?

Wear enclosed, flat shoes with good grip, with light, comfortable clothes that suit the weather. The rooftop tours run in the rain, so dress for it.

Does the Mandurah Giants cruise go ahead in wet weather?

Yes, the Mandurah Giants and dolphin cruise runs in all weather conditions as long as it's safe, so dress for the weather and wear flat shoes. If it is cancelled for weather, passengers are offered an alternative.

Pick a visit with a roof or a tour that runs in the rain, then book your Perth rainy day activity here.