101 free things to do in Sydney
Sydney has a reputation for being one of the most pricey destinations in Australia, but for those in the know, there's a boatload of things to do in the Harbour City that don't cost a cent... So many, in fact, that we've rounded up a full 101 free things to do on your next visit!
- Take a walk around the world famous Sydney Opera House.
- Admire Sydney’s icon, the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Take a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Garden.
- Snap the ultimate Opera House photo from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.
- Join one of Sydney's free walking tours, with I'm Free or Loci Tour.
- Visit the amazing Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks.
- See Government House, where the colony’s early overlords went about their business.
- Explore Sydney’s scientific side with one of the free exhibits at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo.
- Visit Cockatoo Island by ferry and explore its unique blend of industrial and convict history.
- Stroll around Olympic Park precinct (where the 2000 Oympic Games were held).
- Traverse the stunning cliff top walk from Coogee to Bondi – especially during Sculpture by the Sea.
- Discover Sydney’s heritage with a free, self-guided historical walking tour.
- Head bush and enjoy the awesome Spit Bridge to Manly walk.
- Enjoy a free show with the street performers at Circular Quay.
- Cut a northerly swathe through the bush of Sydney with a segment of the Great North Walk.
- Take some time to plan your Australian trip with the Backpacker Bucketlist. You don't need to be a backpacker to follow the best guides to saving your hard earned cash when you're out in the harbour city!
- Visit the beautiful and historic St Mary’s Cathedral.
- Browse the art and craft stalls at Paddington Markets.
- Stroll around the fascinating Fish Markets, the second largest in the world.
- Attend one of the Sydney Festival's many free events.
- Relax in the pool or watch a movie during your stay at Sydney Central YHA.
- Visit St James’ Church; the oldest in Sydney.
- If you have access to a bike, ride the Cooks River Cycleway, one of many great cycling routes in Sydney.
- Challenge the locals to a game of chess on the giant board in Hyde Park
- Stop in at the QVB, one of the most beautiful shopping centres in the world.
- Cover the city in a stride at the huge scale model of Sydney at the Customs House.
- ... and while you're there, check out one of the other free exhibitions and events at Customs House.
- Explore and picnic in the vast Royal National Park (free if you don't bring a car in).
- Go for a body surf at Manly Beach.
- Discover early history at St Stephens’ Church and Cemetery in the hip heart of Newtown
- Try a free tasting of all sorts of goodies at the Redfern Carriageworks Farmers' Market.
- Head to the vibrant Darling Harbour and Darling Square precincts. There’s always something going on!
- Check out one of the exhibitions at the State Library of NSW.
- Stop by Sydney Harbour YHA for a 1-hour tour of The Big Dig Archaeology site.
- See every kind of person imagineable congregate at the world famous Bondi Beach.
- Visit the studio of Brett Whiteley, one of Sydney’s most famous artists.
- Discover industrial history at the Brickpit Ring Walk, Olympic Park.
- Explore the huge parklands and gardens at Centennial Park.
- Spot the bird life amongst the mangroves at Bicentennial Park, Homebush.
- Follow the Writer’s Walk along Circular Quay.
- See the elegant and impressive War Memorial in Hyde Park.
- Mingle with the crowds at Kirribilli Markets.
- Discover the bohemian suburb of Glebe and its surrounds on foot.
- Sizzle up a feast with the free electric BBQs in Centennial Park.
- Let it all hang out at Lady Bay, Sydney’s only nudist beach.
- Window shop till you drop at Bondi Junction shopping mall.
- See and hear thousands of fruit bats at dusk in the Botanical Gardens, or Moore Park.
- Head to Dudley Page Reserve for some stunning views of the city.
- Visit The Mint, where Australia’s first coins were produced.
- Lose yourself in the atmospheric laneways of The Rocks.
- Take your snorkel and get acquainted with the fish at Clovelly.
- Play some beach volleyball at Manly Beach – extra points if you make new friends.
- Play spot-the-celebrity at Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo.
- Drop in to Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest residential building in Australia.
- Stroll down historic Macquarie Street and admire the Georgian and Victorian architecture.
- Stroll along the pretty Avenue of Figs in Hyde Park, and keep your eyes out for possums.
- Visit the White Rabbit Gallery, a fascinating private collection of mostly Chinese art.
- Take a photo with the street art at Wooloomooloo.
- See ancient Aboriginal engravings in the rocks at Dobroyd Head.
- Watch the sun go down with a picnic and a glass of wine at Blues Point or Balls Head Reserve.
- Discover amazing contemporary Aboriginal art and more at the Art Gallery of NSW.
- See up and coming artists at SOHO Galleries.
- Enjoy some art on the way to the beach at Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
- Discover all you gotta know about Australia’s bank notes at the Reserve Bank of Australia Museum.
- Travel like the Victorians at the Sydney Tramway Museum – open Wednesdays and Sundays.
- Stroll the expansive campus and Hogwarts-esque lawns of Sydney University.
- See the largest collection of ancient artefacts in Australia, the Nicholson Collection
- Check out the Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University, home of the Nicholson Collection and much more.
- Visit Sydney's Town Hall, the most ornate late 19th century civic building in Australia.
- Discover queer and alternative culture on Oxford Street and its surrounding neighbourhoods – especially during Mardi Gras!
- Have a drink and watch the city lights spark to life on the rooftop at Sydney Harbour YHA.
- See the tomb of Australia’s first saint at Mary Mackillop Place.
- Explore the magnificent funerary memorials at Rookwood Necropolis.
- Marvel at the old brickwork stacks and take in the views from the hill at Sydney Park (also, pat a dog!).
- See how the first settlers lived at The Rocks Discovery Museum.
- Meander under the eaves of the Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point – especially pretty in the evening.
- Take a Saturday stroll around the quirky Glebe Markets.
- Check out iconic Luna Park, which is free to enter (though most attractions will cost you).
- Experience some military history at Newington Armory.
- Walk along the bustling Parramatta River at Blaxland Riverside Park.
- Catch the sunset at Observatory Hill.
- Browse the late night bookshops on Oxford Street.
- Take a day trip west of Sydney to the immense and beautiful Blue Mountains.
- See graves with a view at the windswept Waverley Cemetery.
- Visit the cultural melting pot of Lakemba, especially during Ramadan for the epic night markets.
- Chat with the cockatoos at the Botanic Gardens.
- Transport yourself to Asia in Cabramatta, Sydney’s “Little Vietnam”.
- Walk the boardwalks through the mangroves at Sydney Olympic Park.
- Discover Parramatta with the Harris Park Heritage Walk.
- Look out for whales from the cliffs at Dover Heights (during winter).
- Visit the Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia’s oldest.
- See the city light up with neon colour during the Vivid festival each winter.
- Walk across the Harbour Bridge and wave to the climbers above you.
- Bring out your inner soap star at iconic Palm Beach, site of Home and Away.
- See work by one of Australia’s most popular modern artists at the Ken Done Gallery.
- See how the kids lived at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, North Ryde.
- Cook up a storm with food from the free food shelves at your YHA.
- Set a course for one of Northern Beaches to watch some of the best surfers in Sydney.
- Discover tranquil Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, where Pittwater Eco YHA is situated.
- Walk to the entrance of the Harbour at The Gap/Watsons Bay, and look back at Sydney's skyline.
- Socialise and make new friends with people from all over the world during your stay at a Sydney YHA.
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YHA Sydney Central
Located in a heritage-listed building in the heart of Sydney, this bustling international hub is next to all major train & tram lines for easy access to the city's top attractions.
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This modern, sustainable property in The Rocks draws an international crowd with its world-class harbour views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
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Perfect for those wishing to get out of the city without actually leaving Sydney, YHA Pittwater Eco (Sydney) is nestled on the hillside of Morning Bay in Ku-ring-gai National Park.
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This historic lodge located right in the middle of Katoomba is as cosy as it is hospitable. Escape the city and make it your base for your next outdoor adventure.
