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Most of you don't know that Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

It is possible to visit Sydney on a budget, as there are a lot of free things to do in the city.

You don't have to pay to see all of the famous landmarks in the city.

With some smart choices and careful planning, you don't have to leave a lot of money for your trip to Australia.

We have listed our top free attractions so you can plan a budget vacation.

Free Things to Do in Sydney

Do you want to explore but can't afford it? There are a lot of free things to do in Australia.

1. Free Walking Tour

view of a city next to a body of water
View of Sydney from Cocktaoo Island

You can get a free walking tour with a local guide. The guys from I'm Free Walking Tours are walking in the rain.

The tours will show you the top sights and give you your bearings so you can go it alone.

They give you hints and tips on where to go.

It is customary to give your guide a tip if you had a good time. As long as you want, you can tip as much as you please.

2. Walk Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

View of the Sydney Opera House from walking over the Harbour Bridge

A much cheaper option is to simply walk across the bridge and take in the panoramic views on the lower level.

You can start from The Rocks at the southern end and walk across the bridge to the northern side. You can either catch a train from Circular Quay Station or walk back to the station.

3. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

family walking along the Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach coastal walk.
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

One of my favorite things to do in Australia is the coastal walk. It is a great way to spend some time in the city.

The 6 km walk features stunning views of cliffs, bays and rock pools, as well as the beaches of Clovelly and Gordon's Bay. You can either stop at a cafe for a drink or a swim.

You can get to the beach by jumping on a train at Central Station. Take a bus to the beach.

You can take a bus back to the city from the end of the walk.

4. Royal Botanical Gardens

view of opera house and harbour bridge from the Royal Botanical Gardens,
View from Royal Botanical Gardens

One of the best ways to see the city and Harbour is to visit the Botanical Gardens.

A bottle of wine, a blanket, and a picnic lunch are all included in the price. You can take a self-guided tour of the gardens.

One of the best places to look over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is Mrs. Macquarie's chair.

Guided tours of the gardens can be booked from the visitor centre.

5. Visit Government House

The most sophisticated example of a Gothic Revival building in New South Wales is the Government House, which is located in the Domain.

The official residence and office of the 39th Governor of New South Wales is located in the house.

Edward Blore was an architect who worked for William IV and Queen Victoria.

There is a guided tour only at the house on public holidays.

6. Picnic in Centennial Park

Centannial Park, Sydney

The park is close to the central business district. It is a great place for a picnic and to enjoy the scenery of the city.

A dedicated cycle and rollerblading track, as well as the opportunity to go horse riding, can be found at the park, which was opened as a public open space in the late 19th century.

Click here if you want to learn more about getting there.

7. Walk the CBD and Sydney Harbour Front

ferries leaving Circular Quay with tall buildings in the background
Circular Quay

I like to walk from Central Station to Circular Quay along either George or Pitt Streets, so I can see the city in a short time.

Take photographs of The Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and the Royal Botanical Gardens once you get to Circular Quay.

You can walk across the bridge past Bradfield Park to Lavender Bay if you have time.

Circular Quay is home to many cafes and restaurants.

8. Explore the Neighbourhoods

I like to just wander around the neighborhoods in the city. There is something for everyone in each part of the city. Some are hippie and other are historic.

I highly recommend you check out the neighborhoods.

Surry Hills is located in the state of North Carolina.

One of the most artistically-vibrant neighborhoods in Australia is in this area. There are a lot of cafes, restaurants, wine bars, and pubs in the area.

There are three streets: Crown Street, Cleveland Street and Cleveland Street.

Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Surry Hills

Paddington is a film about a person named Paddington.

The Paddington markets are held on Saturdays and are well known for boutique shopping. It's also known for art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and rows of Victorian terraces.

There is a harbour.

A 10-minute walk from the central business district, this lively harbourside precinct has cafes, a large kids playground and a weekly program of free entertainment.

There are many ways to see the boats in the harbour. The food court is for people on a budget.

The district is named after rocks.

yellow pub on corner sydney
The Rocks Sydney

The Rocks district is historic. It is the oldest section of the oldest city in Australia.

There is a story around every corner and The Rocks have some wonderful heritage buildings to visit.

This is what you will find when you visit the Rocks Discovery Museum.

You can learn more about the area's history and the people who lived there during the early years of white Australia by visiting the three floors.

There is a town called New Paltz.

old buildings of newtown

Vintage stores, antique stores, and thrift shops can be found in the area. You can find vintage clothing and books at King Street's.

Hip bars and cafes are filled with people of different races. Victorian buildings and street art can be seen as you walk the streets. There is a mural of Martin Luther King on the side of a building.

The area is popular with University of Sydney students and has a cheap vibe.

The Enmore Theatre is a great place to find live music and comedy.

9. Ride the Free Bus Shuttle

Are you not interested in walking? On a loop from Central Station to Circular Quay, the shuttle runs every 10 minutes.

It's a great alternative to hop on a bus and go to the top attractions in the city.

10. Hang out on the Beach

There are a lot of free things to do on the beaches in Australia.

There are many great beaches to explore from the northern beaches to the eastern suburbs. Palm Beach is one of our favourite places.

Even if you only go to look at the ocean at sunset, you need to visit the famous Bondi Beach.

Bronte Beach in Sydney, Australia
Bronte Beach

11. Walk through Hyde Park

Hyde Park is Australia's oldest park and the city's central open green space is popular with office workers who want some fresh air.

The central pathway through the park contains many monuments and statues. There is a lot of activity at the park in the summer.

The Archibald Memorial Fountain and St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Australia
The Archibald Memorial Fountain and St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney Australia

13. St Mary’s Cathedral

The first Roman Catholic Church in Australia was located next to St. Mary's Cathedral, which is an English style Gothic church.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the cathedral and crypt on Sundays at noon.

St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, Australia

14. Observatory Hill

Observatory Hill is a popular park with locals and visitors.

Observatory Hill has a million dollar view of the Harbour Bridge and is a great place to take a photo.

man hugging dauther with view of Sydney Harbour Bridge at Observatory Hill, Sydney, Australia
View from Observatory Hill

15. Hit the Markets in Sydney

There is a temptation to spend money, but you can also enjoy the markets by taking pictures. The best markets to visit are located in Australia.

  • Paddington Markets – Open Saturdays with 150 unique stalls offering creative fashion and accessories.
  • Bondi Markets – Open Sundays offering original designer clothing, handmade jewelry, arts, and crafts, retro furniture, vintage clothes, and more.
  • The Rocks Markets – Saturdays and Sundays offering fashion, arts & crafts, jewelry, music & books, health & beauty, and souvenirs.
  • Paddy’s Markets – Huge market near Chinatown selling fruit & vegetables, clothing, CDs, flowers, sunglasses, jewellery, tourist souvenirs, and much more.
  • Sydney Fish Market – authentic working fish market and one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Catch the metro light rail from Central.

16. Free Festivals in Sydney

The Sydney Opera House during the Vivid Sydney Festival of lights.
Vivid Festival

It doesn't have to cost you a fortune to enjoy entertainment in the city. There are a lot of free festivals in Australia.

  • New Years Eve – Is there a better setting and fireworks display in the world? And it doesn’t cost anything to see it.
  • Sydney Mardi Gras – One of the largest LGBT pride parades and festivals in the world as thousands of people make their way down Oxford and Flinders St on colourful floats.
  • Vivid Sydney – Sydney is transformed into a spectacular canvas of light, music, and ideas.
  • The Sydney Festival – For three weeks each January, Sydney Festival offers a program of around 80 events involving artists covering dance, theatre, music, visual arts, cross-media, and forums.

17. Art Gallery of NSW

One of Australia's leading art museums is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which is free to enter.

The modern and contemporary works are displayed in large, light-filled spaces that offer stunning views of the harbour and the city.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the free art galleries to visit.

Cheap Things to Do in Sydney

If you are traveling on a budget, here are some inexpensive things to do in Australia.

1. Pylon Lookout

You can get great views and learn about the history of the bridge at the Pylon Lookout for $11.

2. Catch the Ferry to Manly

Sydney Harbour aerial views of bridge and opera hoes

One of the best ways to see the harbour is by ferry.

You can see the scenery on the way over and back as you cruise by the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Botanical Gardens.

It's a great place to spend the day on the beach. The beach is well maintained and is great for families.

You can see the harbour and Hornby Lighthouse if you head over to the North Head in the national park. There are many walking trails in the area.

3. Sydney Tower Eye

sydney tower in the middle of high rises

You can go up to the top of the tower for $18. There is an observation deck with great views.

Sightseeing Passes

If you are travelling on a budget, you might want to consider using the Sydney Attraction Pass. You can get discounted entrance to many of the top attractions, such as museums, cruises, and wildlife attractions.

You can either enter 3, 5, or 7 attractions. It's a great way to save money on attractions that are more expensive, such as the Australian National Maritime Museum.

How to Find Cheap Transport in Sydney

ferry cruising past sydney opera house
Sydney ferries with a view

There's a bonus tip for you. They offer discounted prices on public transportation for families in Australia. unlimited travel on all trains, buses, ferries, and light rail is available every Sunday for $2.50. It's a great deal.

If you want to explore places further away, use Sunday to do so.

The Multi Day Pass allows unlimited travel on trains, buses, and ferries.

Where to Find FREE WiFi in Sydney

In cafes, restaurants, food courts and hotels, there are more and more free wireless wi-fi hot spots.

You can connect to free wireless at the libraries if you bring your own laptop or mobile device.

  • Starbucks locations in Sydney.
  • McDonald’s
  • Sydney Airport
  • Circular Quay

Cafes and restaurants that offer free wireless are a good place to look.

Before You Go

view of sydney harbour bridge, luna park and sydney harbor with buildings and sailboats at sunset

Those are the top free things to do in Sydney, and there are many other free things to do in the city.

If you have your accommodations covered in advance, you will be able to find cheaper room prices.

The more you plan ahead, the less you'll have to pay.

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18 FREE things to do in Sydney, Australia. You don't have to break the bank on your visit.

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