Things To Do In Sydney for Free on a Budget
Sydney is one of the world’s most visited cities, listed as the top international destination for UK visitors by Forbes and the largest tourist visiting point in Australia by the Australian tourism industry.
Sydney offers fantastic outing that will stimulate all of your desires – food, wine, sights and amazing entertainment and night life.
Whether you are an expat working in Sydney, a tourist visiting Sydney or a local resident, we are going to look at some of the things on offer for seeing this beautiful city without breaking the budget.
Sites to see in Sydney for free
There are some great places to visit while out and about in Sydney, here is our suggested list:
- The Sydney Opera House
- The Botanical Gardens
- Darling Harbour
- Star City Casino
- China Town
- The Rocks
- The Harbour Bridge
- Sydney Beaches such as Bondi and Coogee.
- and more
Visiting the Sydney Opera House for free
The Sydney Opera House is one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions. You can walk around the opera house and enjoy the truly unique design of what has to be one of the most amazing buildings ever built.
Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the views by sitting on the grass alongside the Opera House or for those who are feeling a wee bit healthy – why not climb all of those stairs out the front (184 to be exact!).
You can also enjoy a drink with family and friends at the Sydney Opera Bar located just underneath the Sydney Opera House – though beware of the inflated prices, so just stick to one or two. There is no charge for entry and there is an outside sitting area where you can enjoy the beautiful harbour and see the harbour bridge.
The views are incredible and it has a vibe unto itself come dusk.
Sydney Opera House official site
Visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens for free
Why not take a trip to the Sydney Botanical Gardens? Entry is free and you can take a nice picnic lunch and enjoy all the different varieties of beautiful flowers planted in this amazing garden. It has over 30 hectares of garden to visit. Ranging from herbs to Australia’s natural horticulture, you will definitely get a taste of Australian wildlife and plants.
Royal Botanical Gardens official site
Darling Harbour for free
Venture down to Darling Harbour and enjoy the great views it has to offer. Take a packed lunch and go for a long walk – there is countless things to do and see. Enjoy the free entertainment of buskers entertaining the many passers by or enjoy the views the city lights from your choice of Harbour restaurants.
You can also walk across the Pyrmont bridge to see the city in all its glory from both sides.
Visit Star City Casino – but don’t gamble!
Entry is free but you will need photo id to get in. You don’t need to spend money to go to Star City Casino. You can simply take a walk through the casino and feel like you are in Las Vegas! Watch the hustle and bustle of people on the pokies or enjoying a game of blackjack. Observing is free and sometimes more enjoyable. There is also a few bars situated in star city casino that has no cover charge to get in. If you wanted an excuse to dress up this would be the reason and can be an interesting way to spend your time before dinner, just remember to never gamble – casino odds are not made to help you win!
Star City Casino official site
Sydney’s famous China Town
China Town offers a great cultural look at one of Australia’s most thriving inner city areas. You can visit Paddy’s Markets which is notorious for a bargain during the late to mid week and weekend. Bargains a plenty!
Ye old Rocks
The Rocks is a great place to visit because its absoultey free. Check out the rocks market stalls where people setup stores and sell anything from clothes to handmade jewellery. There are some great english pubs in the rocks offering some great live bands.
To save money, just enjoy the wandering streets and take in one of Sydneys oldest inner city areas. The cobble streets and guttering were first made by convicts who arrived in Sydney from the UK.
Sydney Tourist Maps
You can get free tourist maps of Sydney at any information stand that are all over sydneys major streets like George Street. These information booths are specifically set up to help with free tourist information and providing free information about sites and things to do and see in Sydney.
More things to see in Sydney cheaply
There are countless things to do and see in Sydney on a limited budget.
Things to see for backpackers
For all those backpackers that want a tour that will last all night why not do a pub crawl? Pub crawls are usually organised through backpacker accommodation outlets or through your local backpacker centre. Prices range from $30 upwards and involve either an all day tour or evening tour of a list of pubs one after the other with a group of people. Meet new people and enjoy hours packed full of live bands and some drinks for the night! You can spend as much or as little as you want and will meet some interesting characters.
Centrepoint Tower
You can dine in one of the worlds most amazing restuarants from as little as $25 per child for lunch or adults from $49.50 (prices are subject to times and days). Check out Centrepoint Tower for more details. You can simply go up to the observation deck and see sydney via a 360% angle through their amazing telescopes. Its a breathtaking experience that you will never forget!
Targonga Zoo
Why not spend a day out at the zoo? Entry is $39.00 for adults and children are $19.00. Infants are free. There are always family passes available and specials available during certain times of the year. (Shopper dockets are great ways to find simple savings!)
Sydney Museums
There are numerous museums to go and visit in Sydney – ranging from the Australian National Maritime Museum, Museum of Contempoary Art, Art Gallery of NSW and more.
Entry is very reasonable and you will learn alot about Australia art and culture.
Luna Park
The entry is free but you do have to pay for rides whilst in the park. The great attraction about luna park though is that you pay a set fee for unlimited rides. Adults cost $37.95 and children $27.95. There is also family packages avaiable.
Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is one of the most exciting visitor attractions in Sydney. Cost of entrance is for adults – $31.90 and children are $17.95. There are packages available for family and groups that will also help you save money.
IMAX Theatre
If you have ever wanted to see a movie in 3D on one of the worlds biggest screens, look no further! It is the worlds largest IMAX theatre and prices for entry range from $19.50 upwards for adults and $14.50 for children depending on what movie is seen.
The amazing thing about the IMAX theatre is that the movie screen is around ten times larger than a normal movie threatre screen and it is either 2D or 3D depending on the movie! Its an experience you wont forget!
Sydney Sight Seeing Pass Cheap
How does it work? Ranging from $135 upwards for a smart visitor card this allows you to get free admission into top local attractions, discounts at selected restuarants and shops and attractions. Some of these places include guided tours of the Sydney Opera House, half day sightseeing tours, Rocks walking tours and much more.
Available from www.sydney.com.au
How do you go out in Sydney on the cheap?
Share with us your money saving tips for going out in Sydney at little to no cost!
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One Response for Things To Do In Sydney for Free on a Budget
What a wonderful post! I’ve always wanted to see Sydney, and now I know what’s free. I live in Las Vegas, and I’m always looking for free things to do around here as well, especially things we can do with the kids (not an easy task in Sin City).
