18 FREE things to do in Sydney, Australia
18 FREE things to do in Sydney, Australia. You don’t have to break the bank on your visit.
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1. Free Walking Tour
Why not start your visit to Sydney with a free walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide? Rain, hail or shine the guys from I’m Free Walking Tours walk every day at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
The 3-hour easy walking tours of Sydney will show you the sights and give you your bearings so you can then go it alone.
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
2. Walk Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Instead of paying $200+ to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a MUCH cheaper option is to simply walk across for free and take in the same panoramic views on a lower level.
Start from The Rocks at the southern end and take the gentle 1.4km stroll across the bridge to Milsons Point at the northern end. Either walk back or catch a train from Milsons Point Station to Circular Quay Station.
3. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is one of the free things to do in Sydney. It is a stunning walk and the perfect way to spend a gorgeous few hours in Sydney.
This 6km walk features stunning views of cliffs, bays and rock pools and passes the beaches of Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Gordon’s Bay. Stop along the way for a swim, or stop at a cafe for a drink and bite to eat.
To get to Bondi Beach, jump on a train at Central Station and depart at Bondi Junction Station. From there take a bus to Bondi Beach.
One of the best things to do in Sydney with kids is the Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach coastal walk.
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4. Royal Botanical Gardens
You cannot beat the serenity of the city and Sydney Harbour views from the Botanical Gardens. Spending half a day in the Gardens is a relaxing and free way to enjoy one of Sydney’s top spots.
Pack a picnic lunch, a blanket and a bottle of wine. Then take a walk around the gardens to admire the many different types of plants and city views. You can also take a free self-guided walking tour.
Be sure to check out Mrs Macquarie’s Chair which has one of the best vantage points in Sydney looking back over the Opera House.
5. Visit Government House
Located in the Domain and overlooking the Royal Botanical Gardens, why not check out Government House, which is the most sophisticated example of a Gothic Revival building in NSW.
6. Picnic in Centennial Park
Centennial Park is an oasis not far from the CBD. It’s a great place for a picnic and to enjoy Sydney’s lush oasis of ponds, grassy hills and woodlands.
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7. Walk the CBD and Sydney Harbour Front
The Sydney CBD and Harbour front area is very walkable. Once at Circular Quay, wander and take photographs of Sydney’s famous landmarks, The Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and enter the Royal Botanical Gardens.
8. Explore the Neighborhoods
Surry Hills
Walk around one of Sydney’s most artistically-vibrant neighbourhoods with old terrace homes. Surry Hills has a great mix of cafes, restaurants, wine bars and pubs serving a wide variety of cooking styles.
Paddington
The fashionable neighbourhood is famous for boutique shopping and the Paddington markets held on Saturdays. Also known for art galleries, cafes, restaurants and rows of pretty Victorian terraces.
Darling Harbour
This lively harbourside precinct is just a 10-minute walk from the CBD and has cafes, a large kids playground and a program of fantastic free Sydney entertainment every week.
Stroll along the foreshore of Cockle Bay, admire the boats in the harbour or simply people watch. If you want to eat here on a budget head to the food court.
The Rocks District
You must explore the historic Rocks District. It’s the oldest section of the oldest city in Australia.There’s a story around every corner, and The Rocks possesses some wonderful heritage buildings to admire and an intriguing history and cobblestone lanes to explore.
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9. Free Bus Shuttle
Don’t want to walk? The free CBD shuttle (route 555) runs every 10 minutes on a loop from Central Station to Circular Quay via Elizabeth and George Streets.
10. Hang out on the Beach
The beaches are famous and a must for free things to do in Sydney (besides the parking fees).
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
11. Walk through Hyde Park
Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest park and the city’s central open green space popular among office workers who want some fresh air, a quick siesta or some time out from the concrete jungle.
Hyde Park contains numerous monuments and statues, and the central pathway through the park is an impressive fig lined road. Over the summer months, the park is a hive of activity.
13. St Mary’s Cathedral
Situated next to Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral is an English-style Gothic church and a symbol of the spiritual origins of the city, as it was the first Roman Catholic Church in Australia.
14. Observatory Hill
Just behind the Rocks District you will find Observatory Hill, a popular park with locals, workers and visitors.
Observatory Hill gives you a million dollar view of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour and is worth the climb up the hill to take a picture of.
15. Hit the Markets in Sydney
The temptation will be there to spend money, but you can also enjoy the markets by just wondering around taking photos. The best markets in Sydney to visit include:
•Paddington Markets – Open Saturday’s with 150 unique stalls offering creative fashion and accessories.
•Bondi Markets – Open Sunday’s offering original designer clothing, hand made jewellery, arts, crafts, retro furniture, vintage clothes and more.
•The Rocks Markets – Saturday’s and Sunday’s offering fashion, arts & crafts, jewellery, music & books, health & beauty, 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. Catch the metro light rail from Central.
Contact a Travel Team Agent for more information or to plan your trip at 1-800-788-0829
16. Free Festivals in Sydney
Once you book your accommodation in Sydney, if you time your visit right Sydney puts on some of the best free festivals and events anywhere in the world.
•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 parade 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. FREE WiFi in Sydney
More and more free wireless Wi-Fi hotspots are being installed all over in Sydney (and about time!!), in cafes, restaurants, food courts and hotels.
Bring your own laptop or mobile device and connect to free wireless at City Libraries and these locations:
•Starbucks locations in Sydney.
•McDonald’s
•Sydney Airport
•Circular Quay
18. Art Gallery of NSW
The Art Gallery of NSW is free to enter and is one of Australia’s leading art museums with collections of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and contemporary art.
The modern and contemporary works are displayed in expansive, light-filled spaces, offering stunning views of Sydney and the harbour.
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