The idylllic pictures of Sydney that permeate our collective consciousness seldom involve squalls, 100 mm plus rainy days, waterspouts and supercell thunderstorms. But indeed, thusfar, winter 2011 in the New South Wales capital has been a wild, wet ride. Here are 21 brilliant ways to cope.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, The Domain

Photo credit

Duck and cover inside the Art Gallery NSW, a foremost cultural lodestar. The new, contemporary John Kaldor Family Gallery is superb and every Wednesday from 5-9 p.m., the museum unwinds with “art.afterhours”.

Where to stay: Blue Sydney A Taj Hotel

Australian Museum
6 College Street

While away the hours inside one of the best natural history museums on the planet.

Where to stay Sydney Marriott Hotel

Sydney Aquarium
Darling Harbour

One of the premier attractions in Sydney, the aquarium at Darling Harbour is home to over 6,000 individual fish, marine and sea creatures.

Where to stay The Grace Hotel Sydney

Sydney Fish Market
Bank Street, Pyrmont

See the fish, eat the fish. Such is the premise at the hyperactive Sydney Fish Market. The “Behind the Scenes” tour is a must.

Where to stay: Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments Sydney

Winter Wonderland Films at Dendy Opera Quays
2 East Circular Quay

Cinephiles can always rely on stellar repertory fare, courtesy of Winter Wonderland Films at Dendy Opera Quays.

Where to stay: Quay Grand Suites Sydney

Gleebooks
49 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Browse the gloomy weather away at the best independent bookshop in Sydney.

Where to stay: Verona Guest House

Sappho Books
51 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Do the same next door at the antiquarian and secondhand Sappho Books, which also runs a handsome bar and café.

Kings Comics
310 Pitt Street

Indulge your love of comics, graphic novels and memorabilia at the delightful Kings Comics.

Where to stay: Rydges World Square Hotel Sydney

Darlinghurst Flea Markets
383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst

Get arty and shop while you drink, Darlo style.

Where to stay: Medusa Hotel Sydney

Fringe Bar Markets
106 Oxford St, Paddington

Vintage and funky frippery, every Saturday.

Where to stay: Arts Hotel Sydney

Dear Pluto
5a Wilshire St, Surry Hills

Dear Pluto is a boho vintage warehouse space that screens cult flics on Monday nights.

Where to stay: The Sebel Surry Hills Sydney

Bills
359 Crown St, Surry Hills

Ricotta hotcakes at Bills – Photo credit

A bit of a brunch institution, with outposts in Darlo, Woollahra and Japan.

Where to stay: City Crown Motel Sydney

Four Ate Five
485 Crown St, Surry Hills

Exceptional hipster café open daily from 7 a.m.

The Tea Room QVB, Sydney
Level 3, North End, QVB, 455 George Street

Turn your collar to the cold and damp with a long, elegant afternoon ritual at the wonderful QVB Tea Room.

Where to stay: Oaks Trafalgar Sydney

Porteño
358 Cleveland St, Surry Hills

Porteño, the best gaucho restaurant in Sydney, is a mad medley of fire, meat and smoke. Vegans beware.

Marque
4/5 355 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Spoil yourself silly at Marque, winner of the 2010 Restaurant magazine “Breakthrough” award.

Quay Restaurant
Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks

Sydney Harbour in good weather – Photo credit

Take your Sydney gourmet quest up a notch with dinner at #26 on the San Pellegrino World’s Top 50 Restaurant List for 2011.

Where to stay: The Russell Hotel Sydney

Love Tilly Devine
91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst

A flight of wines with compatible snacks at a slick alleyway bar? The perfect way to conquer a bad Sydney winter.

Shady Pines Saloon
Shop 5, 256 Crown St, Darlinghurst

Curl up in a corner at this boisterous Darlo dive and imbibe your rainy day cares away.

Sticky Bar
Level 2, 182 Campbell St, Surry Hills

Branché cocktails with fancy names = what thunderstorm?

Sydney Opera House

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The UNESCO World Heritage Opera House is not there simply to ogle. Do yourself a favour and see a show.

Where to stay: Quay Grand Suites Sydney

Sydney City Guide