Why is it that when the sun’s out we have no trouble filling our days but the opposite when it’s rainy? Except here...
If you’re looking for things to do during our short periods of inclement weather in the Barrington Coast, here are a few suggestions that will entertain, educate and maybe even exhaust you!
- Galleries
- Museums
- Movies and live shows
- Indoor fun
- Scenic drives
- Markets & local produce
Galleries
- Manning Regional Art Gallery Our local little gem presents a diverse and outstanding exhibition program throughout the year. The gallery showcases emerging and established artists, group and solo shows plus high profile touring shows. Open to the public Tuesday through to Sunday with free entry to most exhibitions.
- Other Galleries While the Manning Regional Art Gallery is the biggest gallery in our region there are many smaller galleries offering exceptional exhibitions. Drop into one or more of these inspiring spaces (check our What's On listings for current exhibitions):
Museums
History, human interest, tales of our past, plus motorcycles! You’ll discover a variety of museums open across the region that are a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.
- Bulahdelah Court House Museum features a collection of artefacts and photos of the local Bulahdelah area.
- Cundletown and Lower Manning Historical Society features historical records and family histories plus a wonderful exhibition of our maritime history on the mighty Manning River.
- Great Lakes Historical and Maritime Museum houses a collection of artefacts and documents relating to the Great Lakes area and its maritime history.
- Gloucester Museum is full of fascinating local history and valuable artefacts.
- The National Motorcycle Museum is located at Nabiac at is home to an enormous collection of memorabilia and motorcycles that date back to early 1900s right up to present day.
- Tinonee Museum is another charming museum with a range of information and artefacts relating to the our maritime history, especially as Tinonee was the very first port on the Manning River.
- Wingham Museum is our region’s largest museum and historical society, here you’ll uncover full displays of life in the region from the late 1800s plus the jail cell that held the captured Jimmy Governor. Museum staff also host regular “Night at the Museum” events.
Movies and live shows
- Cinemas Fay’s Twin Cinema Taree and Great Lakes Cinema Tuncurry are open Tuesday to Sunday showing all the latest blockbusters from Australia to Hollywood and everywhere in between. Check out their latest guide.
- Manning Entertainment Centre is our regional performing arts centre. It showcases local and touring acts including lavish stage productions, ballets, live music, comedians, dance spectaculars and filmed productions of famous stage plays performed Broadway and the famous stages of London.
Indoor fun
- Forster Entertainment Centre Whilst this might seem like a kid’s paradise, people of all ages can enjoy the activities on offer at this indoor world of entertainment: laser tag, ten pin bowling and putt putt are just some of the fun on offer. Go on, who cares if you don’t act your age and have some fun!
- Taree Ten Pin Many a wet day has been spent playing a fun and sometimes competitive game of ten pin. Add some lunch from the onsite café and half your day is gone before you know it!
- Inflatable World Taree Giants slides, climbing walls, obstacle courses, bouncy floors of course and a slam-dunk wall, Inflatable World offers endless fun for the kids... and the big kids too! The kids will work up a sweat, make friends and you'll be able to relax. Sounds like the wet weather just made your holiday even better!
- The Hangout ForsterA full playcentre dedicated to kids having fun! There's soft play equipment, jumping castles, a trampoline, air track, enclosed ball pit with slides and qualified staff to keep your kids entertained and safe.
- Kids Spot Forster Reliable fun, every time! Kid Spot is great for the younger ones who are easily entertained with a bit of rough and tumble. This indoor playground includes a mega climbing maze, ball swamp, jumping castle, tunnels, slides and soft play equipment.
- Indoor Swimming CentresGloucester, Forster and Taree all have an indoor/outdoor swimming centre that feature indoor swimming pools. Both Forster and Taree have the added bonus of having full equipped gyms and kids pools. Gloucester’s indoor pool is actually a hydrotherapy centre heated to 34 degrees year round.
- Libraries Not just quiet and books, contemporary libraries have come a long way hosting book signings and guest artists, workshops and school holiday activities. Plus you’ll find free public computers and free wi-fi for your own devices for those who can’t bear to be disconnected on holidays.
Scenic drives
There are plenty of scenic drives around the Barrington Coast that could easily fill a week full of rainy days. Simply choose your preferred theme of the day: mountains and valleys or rivers and lakes? Beaches and headlands or waterfalls and lookouts? Maybe even a bit of scenic history?
Pick up our Scenic Drives map at any of our visitor centres, you’ll be surprised just how vast and interesting our region is. Click the links below.
Markets and local produce
Most of our region’s markets operate in rain, hail or shine so bring your wet weather gear as well as your shopping bags and you’ll be sure to still enjoy some market time. There’s a good range of local produce markets held across the region during the week and on weekends. Check out our list of current markets and times here.
