Traveling to Australia and spending some time in Sydney on a budget? Here are some ideas of Free & Cheap activities in Sydney that I really enjoyed to help you make the best of your time there.
The first section included things to do that are totally free if you are staying in the city. The second part lists activities that are cheap where you have to pay only for transportation or tips or small entry fee.
I hope my list and tips will help you make the most of your time in Sydney!
TOP FREE THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY
Walking activities
- Walk the bridge – you can walk the whole length of the harbor bridge from the Rocks for free – At the other end get down to Luna Park and enjoy great views of the city
- Stroll in the Botanical Garden – this is a great garden with views towards the city’s skyscrapers, the Opera and the Habour Bridge
- Get “lost” in the Rocks with all the alleys and stairs (but don’t worry it is not big, so you will not actually get lost
) - At the end of Circular quay (corner across from wharf 2, take the elevator to the bridge of Cahill Expressay and observe great view of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge with hardly any tourists!
- Walk around the opera house – Check out my favorite photos of the Opera House
- Watch Sunset from Macquarie’s Chair
- Walk over Sydney thanks to the miniature replica in the Customs House
Free visits
- Art gallery of NSW
- Museum of Australian Currency Notes
- The Rocks discovery museum
- Museum of contemporary art
- Governor house
- Sydney observatory (free by day without the telescope tower)
They are free! And do not miss the gift shop of the museum of contemporary art. They are not souvenirs at all. They have great books and plenty of things with interesting designs.
Other free stuff
- Free Bus 555 From circular quay to Central station via George street, every 10 min.
- Free wifi: Customs House at Circular Quay has good free wifi
View from the Cahill Motorway
TOP CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY
For the cost of a tip
- Free daily walking tours of the city
- Free walking tour of the Rocks
The guides are just paid with the tips we decide or not to give at the end.
For the cost of public transportation
Spend time at one of the many beaches in the Harbour and ocean side. I am not a beach person so I cannot recommend any. but TimeOut Sydney listed a top ten of Sydney beaches.
Hikes: check out this website with detailed maps and information on walks along the whole coastal area of the Sydney harbor. My favorite ones are:
- Bondi to Cogee (check some of the pictures I took) (Express bus from Circular Quay or train to Bondi Junction and bus to Bondi beach)
- Watson’s Bay & the easy walk around the head (ferry from Circular Quay)
- Manly to split (ferry from Circular Quay to Manly bus to return)
- Palm Beach & Barrenjoe head (busses from Sydney)
For the cost of renting a car + park fee
- Royal National Park – great cliffs, beaches and bush walks
- Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park – great cliffs and view to Barrenjoey’s head
Want to see more of AUSTRALIA?
Enjoy Sydney!
