Rainy Day Things to Do in Torquay

When the weather turns

The weather down here changes its mind a lot. A sunny morning can turn into a cold southerly by lunch, and in winter and spring the rain can settle in for the whole day. It happens in every season, so have a plan B up your sleeve before you arrive. Especially if you've got kids, or a group who'll go stir-crazy inside.

The good news is Torquay handles a wet day pretty well. There's a surf museum, a library and a bunch of surf shops and outlets, all within a few minutes' drive of each other. Geelong's around 25–30 minutes away and has cinemas, museums, a gallery and indoor play centres. Our Geelong waterfront guide covers a half-day by the bay. And sometimes the best rainy-day plan is to just stay in.

Below you'll find indoor options in Torquay, a half-day in Geelong, ideas for families and groups, and how to spend a day at Holyday House when it's bucketing down. Opening hours and prices change, so check each venue's website before you head out.

Indoors in Torquay

You don't have to leave town for a decent wet-weather outing. All of these are a short drive from the house.

Australian National Surfing Museum

Your safest bet on a wet day in Torquay. The museum is at 77 Beach Road in the Surf City precinct, and it tells the story of more than 100 years of Australian surfing. There are over 150 surfboards, the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, surf culture memorabilia and the trophies from the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. It's open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day. Allow an hour or two, or longer if anyone in your lot surfs. Our surfing museum guide has more.

Surf shops and outlets

Some of the biggest names in surfwear started in Torquay, so shopping is the obvious thing to do when it's wet. The Surf City Plaza area on the Surf Coast Highway has the big brand stores, and the factory outlets around the corner on Baines Crescent are known for end-of-season stock. It fills a morning easily, and it's handy if someone forgot to pack a jumper.

Torquay Library

The Geelong Regional Libraries branch in Surf City Plaza is a quiet, free spot to spend an hour with the kids, and it often runs children's sessions in the school holidays. Weekend hours are shorter, so check before you go.

Breweries, a distillery and long lunches

A wet arvo is a good excuse for a long lunch. Torquay has a few breweries with seating inside, and Great Ocean Road Distillery's bar in Torquay opens on selected days only. In October 2026 it was closed while the team were at markets and events, so check before you go. Our breweries guide and restaurants guide have the details. If you're drinking, sort out a driver or a taxi back to the house.

A spa or massage

Rain is good day-spa weather. Torquay has local day spas, plus mobile massage therapists who'll come to you. Our wellness guide has the options.

Wurdi Baierr Stadium in north Torquay has four indoor courts you can book for a casual game, from $6.30 a person. The aquatic and recreation centre next door, with pools, a splash park and a gym, is due to open in early 2027, so there's no swimming there yet.

A rainy half-day in Geelong

When the rain's really set in, head for Geelong. It's around 25–30 minutes' drive from Holyday House and there's a lot more to do under a roof than in Torquay.

✓ National Wool Museum. In an old bluestone woolstore on Moorabool Street, near the waterfront. There are exhibitions on wool, textiles and Geelong's history, and hands-on displays for the kids.

✓ Geelong Gallery. One of Australia's older regional galleries, on Little Malop Street. It has a significant permanent collection plus exhibitions that change.

✓ Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. The big domed library next to the gallery is worth a look just for the building, and you get views over the city and the bay from the upper levels.

✓ Cinemas. Village Cinemas on Ryrie Street in central Geelong shows the new releases. The Pivotonian in South Geelong is a small independent cinema with a hand-picked programme.

✓ Indoor play and activity centres. Geelong has a children's museum (MoPA, the Museum of Play and Art), indoor rock climbing, trampoline parks and laser tag. Good for when the kids need to run off some energy.

Keep it simple. A museum or the gallery in the morning, lunch on the waterfront or in town, a film in the arvo, then back to Torquay in time to get the fire going. If it clears up, the Eastern Beach waterfront is right there for a walk.

Ideas for families and groups

Rainy days are trickier with a crowd, because everyone wants to do something different. Splitting up for a few hours often works best.

With young kids

The surfing museum, the library or an indoor play centre in Geelong. Keep outings short and plan on a quiet afternoon back at the house. Our family holiday guide has more.

With teenagers

Surf shopping, a movie in Geelong or indoor climbing usually go down well. The games console back at the house takes care of the rest.

With adults

A long brewery lunch, a winery, a massage or the Geelong Gallery. Wet weather's also a good excuse for a drive along the Great Ocean Road. The coast looks wild in a storm, and Lorne and Apollo Bay have plenty of cafés to duck into. If the rain is light, the Otway Fly day trip can work too. Check the operator's severe weather advice before driving inland.

Walking in light rain

If it's only drizzling, the beach can be at its best. Empty and moody, and the air's lovely and fresh. Pack a raincoat, stay well back from cliff edges when it's windy, and keep off the rock platforms when the swell is up.

A rainy day at the house

Some of the best holiday days are the ones where you don't go anywhere. Holyday House was set up with wet weather in mind, so there's plenty to keep everyone happy without getting in the car.

✓ Three wood fires and split-system heating. There's a fire in each living room and one in the covered outdoor lounge, so you can sit outside, watch the rain and stay warm.

✓ Movies and games. There's a 65-inch TV with Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and Amazon Prime, a games console, arcade games and board games.

✓ Room to spread out. With two living areas, the movie can go on in one room while the board games come out in the other. A children's playroom with books and toys keeps the little ones busy. There's a piano too.

✓ The hot tub in the rain. The private hot tub is open 24 hours, year-round. Sitting in hot water while cool rain comes down is one of the nicest things you can do on the Surf Coast. Finish off under the hot outdoor shower.

✓ A big cook-up. The fully equipped kitchen is set up for a slow-cooked lunch or a baking session with the kids, and the dining table seats eight.

✓ Drying out. There's a washing machine, dryer and drying rack for the wet beach gear. And with fibre internet and a dedicated workspace, a wet day can double as a catch-up day if you need one.

Rainy day FAQ

What is there to do in Torquay when it rains?

There's the Australian National Surfing Museum, surf shopping at Surf City Plaza and the Baines Crescent outlets, the library, a long lunch at a brewery or restaurant, or a day spa. Geelong is about 25–30 minutes away and has cinemas, museums and indoor play centres.

Is the surfing museum good for kids?

Yes. It's very visual and easy to wander through at your own pace, with a big board collection and the Bells Beach trophies. There are family tickets. Check the museum's website for current prices.

Is there a cinema in Torquay?

The closest cinemas are in Geelong: Village Cinemas on Ryrie Street and The Pivotonian, an independent cinema in South Geelong. Back at the house there's a 65-inch TV with streaming services.

Can we use the hot tub when it's raining?

Yes. The private hot tub is open 24 hours, year-round, and a rainy evening is a great time for a soak. Get out if there's thunder or lightning.

Which months are wettest in Torquay?

It rains all year on the Surf Coast, but winter and spring are generally the wettest and the most changeable. Our best time to visit guide covers the seasons in more detail.

Is the Great Ocean Road worth driving in the rain?

In light rain it can look amazing, but take it slowly, because the road is narrow and winding. Check VicTraffic for closures after heavy rain or storms, and have a look at our Great Ocean Road guide for stops.

Want a holiday house that's as good on a wet day as a sunny one? Check dates at Holyday House. And for the sunny days, see things to do in Torquay.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 13 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.

Wurdi Baierr Stadium — Surf Coast Shire
Australian National Surfing Museum — Australian National Surfing Museum
Torquay Library — Geelong Regional Libraries
Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre — Surf Coast Shire
National Wool Museum — City of Greater Geelong
Geelong Gallery — Geelong Gallery
Village Cinemas Geelong — Melbourne International Film Festival
Pivotonian Cinema — Pivotonian Cinema
MoPA: Museum of Play and Art — Visit Geelong Bellarine