Rain doesn’t have to ruin your plans. Swap your soggy afternoon for art, books and bites around town.
This itinerary is your key to rainy-day survival. It’s full of cosy stops, hands-on fun and enough snack stops to keep spirits high (and meltdowns low). Pull on the gumboots, wipe the frowns and get ready for a day the kids might just call the best ever.
(If you’re travelling sans kids, you’ll want to check out this post instead.)
9:00am – Beechworth Bakery, Albury
For a high-energy start, head to the bakery. Let the kids pick a treat (jam donut? lemon tart?) and order yourself a strong coffee and a hot pie. With plenty of indoor seating, friendly service and plenty of savoury and sweet delights to choose from, it’s the kind of place that understands the early-morning chaos of parenting. If you’re on the Wodonga side, try BeanStation Cafe for muffins, cakes, slices and pastries, and a milkshake if you’re going all out.
10:00am – Hyphen – Wodonga Library Gallery
This might just be the perfect indoor rain escape for parents. With a kid zone downstairs for little ones to browse picture books and spin circles on the interactive projected floor, you can quietly read a few pages of a novel and disappear into a literary world. Upstairs, there’s a dedicated gallery where kids can get their hands on the art – without getting into trouble.
11:30am – Wodonga Sports & Leisure Centre
Dive into some indoor pool time at the Wodonga Sports & Leisure Centre. They’ve got toddler-friendly splash zones and warm water to offer a more comfortable way of getting soaked.
1:30pm – Lunch at The Goods Shed, Wodonga
Cater to fussy eaters while enjoying something uncompromising for yourself. The kids can sit in cosy booths and colour in while you sip a local wine or a well-earned coffee. The menu is broad, the portions are generous, and the building is spacious enough to absorb that crazed rainy-day kid energy.
3:00pm – Topolino Gelateria, Junction Place
Yes, it’s raining. No, it’s not too cold for gelato. Reward everyone’s good behaviour with a scoop (or three). Topolino is just a quick dash from The Goods Shed, so pop over, grab your ice-creams and enjoy a moment of peace while the kids are happily occupied in sweet, sticky silence.
4:00pm – Retro Lane Café and Games at the LibraryMuseum
Keep the afternoon energy going with a stop at Albury’s Retro Lane Café, a youth-friendly space tucked behind the LibraryMuseum. While technically geared toward teens, it’s a chill spot with board games, comfy seating and milkshakes worth detouring for. If your kids are younger, head into the LibraryMuseum instead, where interactive exhibits and hands-on displays will keep them happily curious until dinner time. It’s all under one roof, and you won’t get wet.
5:00pm – Dinner at Downtown Pizzeria or The Bended Elbow, Albury
Downtown Pizzeria hits the spot with pizzas, pasta and garlic bread – ideal for kids who’ve had a big day and parents who don’t want to overthink dinner. Or head to the Bended Elbow, a relaxed pub with a dedicated kids’ menu, indoor seating and all the usual favourites (think schnitzel, chips, nuggets and licked-clean plates).
6:30pm – Movie Night at Regent Cinemas Albury
Kids still awake? Cap off the day with popcorn and a movie. Check what’s playing – maybe the latest animated flick or something fun for all ages. If you’re snoring halfway through the film, we can’t blame you.