9 Fun Things To Do In Sydney That Doesn’t Involve Spending A Dollar
If you’re looking for amazing things to do in Sydney without breaking the bank, then you’re spoiled with a lot of options for your solo, couples, or family trip. We’ve listed down 9 of our favorite Sydney experiences you can enjoy for free.
1. Adore the Sydney Opera House
The city’s most famous landmark isn’t just meant to be photographed from afar — you can also step inside and discover the world-class performing arts venue. Enjoy the epic views of the harbor from inside. There are a lot of tours waiting for you inside of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, but these have a price tag attached to them.
2. Walk over the Sydney Harbour bridge
What’s a Sydney trip without experiencing one of its top landmarks? While climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge costs hundreds of dollars, simply walking over it doesn’t cost a dime. Feast your eyes on the incredible views of the Sydney Harbour, watch the seabirds, and breathe in the invigorating breeze.
3. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden
Green parks are a perfect escape from the busy city’s concrete jungle, whether you’re lodging at Sydney CBD or in a hotel in Parramatta, a major commercial suburb in Greater Western Sydney. It’s a good thing Sydney has a lot of nature parks to visit.
Let’s start with the park that allows you to unwind and see the best view of the iconic Sydney Harbor and Opera House: the Royal Botanic Gardens. Appreciate the beauty of nature, smell the fragrant and vibrant flowers, and just decompress.
Free guided walks are also available if you want to find out more about botany and the garden’s history.
4. Take a scenic coastal walk
Get out of your comfortable hotel accommodation and level up your morning jog by checking out Sydney’s picturesque coastal walks, which link you to some of Sydney’s famous beaches. The walks might be pretty long but you won’t feel the exhaustion when you see the breathtaking coastlines, bushlands, and other natural wonders in front of you. Nothing relieves the mind and body like the fresh ocean breeze, right?
Here are some of the most spectacular coastal walks to experience in Sydney:
- Bondi to Coogee
- Manly to Spit Bridge Walk
- Federation Cliff Walk
- Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay Walk
- Fairfax Walk
- Botany Bay Coastal Walk
- South Head Heritage Trail
- Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock (Cost: Park entry fee is $12 per vehicle)
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk (Cost: Parking fee)
Just take note that the duration, distance, and difficulty may vary so find one that suits your capability. Some terrains are difficult to hike since they’re sandy, bushy, and rugged.
5. Join a free guided tour
While going on a self-guided tour is one cheap way to discover the best attractions, you’ll miss the point of the tour: learning the city’s history and some insider tips from a local’s perspective. It’s a good thing you’ll find guided tours that are free of cost.
You’ll meet up with your group at a designated meeting spot and walk around for about 2 to 3 hours, with a couple of breaks in between. While there’s no cost involved here, feel free to leave a donation if you’re satisfied with the tour.
“I’m Free Sydney” and “Free Tours Sydney” are two of the companies you may check out.
6. Step inside the city’s museums
Just like the rest of the world, stepping inside major museums doesn’t come with a price. Enjoy some of the most beautiful art galleries, museums, and discovery centers in Australia, which have found their home in Sydney.
Art buffs will love visiting the Art Gallery of NSW, which houses an extensive collection of modern and indigenous art exhibited in a classical-style building. Another gallery is the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
If you’re traveling with the little ones, you may bring them to the Rocks Discovery Centre, a 3-story museum that tells the story tales of The Rocks, a historic suburb of Sydney.
7. Simply admire the architecture
Aside from spectacular natural wonders, Sydney also has a wealth of architectural gems that you shouldn’t miss. We have the St. Mary’s Cathedral at the end of Hyde Park. The gothic-style church is the oldest in Australia, which dates back to 1821.
The Queen Victoria Building, built-in 1898, is another magnificent edifice to discover. Over the years, it has evolved into a busy market, a concert hall, a city library, and city council offices. Don’t miss the two clocks. The first one is the Royal Clock, which shows scenes of English royalty. The Great Australian Clock, on the other hand, shows 33 scenes from Australian history both from Aboriginal and European perspectives.
8. Listen to the buskers
No need to buy a concert ticket to watch amazing performers live. Some of the best talents are at the Circular Quay. Enjoy the Aboriginal music played by the indigenous buskers. If you enjoyed the music, feel free to leave them a generous donation.
9. Take your “Vitamin Sea”
If your dream vacation includes turquoise beaches with fine, white, or yellow sands, then visiting Sydney is a perfect choice. The city is bestowed with a plethora of beautiful beaches, some big and crowded, others are smaller and more secluded. Whether you’re in or out of the city center, you can find a gorgeous beach that suits your fancy.
Sydney is home to the most famous beach in Australia, Bondi Beach. Since it gets super crowded due to its popularity, you may check out Manly Beach, Cronulla Beach, and Coogee Beach for a more chilled vibe. You can also find secret beaches with fewer facilities but are far quieter and less crowded than the renowned ones.
