Free Things to Do in Sydney: How to Have a G’Day, Mate!

The best part of Australia is what a wild natural outback it is. And nature is as free as it gets!

Besides that, Sydney, the most-populous city in Australia, is a cultural hub. It’s easy to find free entertainment and activities both in town and in the out back.

This article will help you plan a no-frills approach to making the most of your visit to Sydney. So, store your bags with Stasher and hit the road, Jack! Or shall I say, Dundee?

Bed, Beaches and Beyond

You’ll want to get out of bed early and catch a free sunrise at Bronte Beach in Sydney East. That’s the best part of the sunrise – it’s always free!

Then take a 2 kilometer coastal walk to Bondi beach, Bronte’s big sister. The coastal walk is one of the most memorable attractions around Sydney. 

Another popular and exciting destination beach in Sydney is Manly Beach, which is a goofy name but doesn’t mean what it sounds like. Manly Beach is up north. 

These are the popular and most visited beaches. Sydney is full of hidden gems that won’t be so crowded and possibly even more peaceful. Don’t feel like you need to get caught in the tourist traps.

A Day In The Outback

A lovely free way to spend a day, if you don’t count train and bus fare, is a trip to the Blue Mountains. It’s very scenic and you won’t need to stay the night. 

There are a number of bush walks, of varying length and commitment, that you can follow at the Blue Mountains National Park. The Blue Mountains get their name from the blue haze created by the Eucalyptus trees. 

Along the Blue Mountains you’ll find caves, waterfalls and steep cliffs. Don’t fall off!

Park It Here, Mister!

Parks are also free. The oldest park in Sydney is Hyde Park, not to be confused with the one in London but surely influenced by it. 

Nearby CBD but not in it, are the Centennial Parklands, conceived as sort of a “peoples garden”, filled with ponds and statues.

The crowning jewel is the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens encompass 74 acres just on the edge of the CBD. The Royal Botanical Gardens are open everyday and – admission is free! The large family of plants found on the grounds include both Australian natives and international flora and fauna. 

Free CBD Revelry

The main artery of Sydney is the Central Business District, referred to as CBD. It extends about 2 miles from Sydney Cove all the way to the Central Railway Station. 

If it’s raining, which is possible, find sanctuary among the vast art collections and museums residing in Sydney. 

Billionaire art collector Judith Neilson enjoys showing off Chinese art at the chic gallery White Rabbit in the Chippendale section of CBD. 

The streets of Sydney are packed with street art, if you know where to look. Chances are good you might accidentally discover it on your own. But to be certain you can make that happy accident a reality, try the Redfern neighborhood. 

The major museums in Sydney are also free. They include the Museum of Contemporary Art and the New South Wales Gallery. 

Speaking of whales, Australia’s relationship with the sea is honored at the Maritime Museum, another free option. It’s in Darling Harbour. There are many free galleries at this museum.

Eating At No Expense

Are you hungry yet? Try snagging some free samples at Carriageworks Markets in Redfern. It’s a weekly farmers market featuring single origin coffees and artisan breads among other treats.

Centennial Parklands has free electric barbecues so you can pick up some meat at the Farmers Market or some seafood at the Harbour and throw some shrimp on the barbie!

Entertainment At No Expense

Need a good laugh? Interested in that unique Aussie humor? Tickle your funny bone with free comedy at many clubs around Sydney. There are even free open mics if you’ve got the courage to hop on stage yourself and tell a few good jokes. 

Free music is a bit harder to find. But if you play your cards right, you can find some almost any night of the week. Catch some jazz at The Golden Sheaf and Venue 505. There’s even a pizza parlor, Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice, that has a house band and delicious margaritas. Relax at Frankie’s – they’ve got pinball games too!

Night Time is the Right Time

Nothing more beautiful than a moonlit evening spent at one of the many harbours in Sydney. 

Sydney Harbour or Darling Harbour each possess their own attractive qualities.

Sydney Harbour offers admiring views of some of the cities crowning achievements, including the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Those are stuffy old landmarks. The best view of the harbour is from Luna Park, an amusement park dating back to 1935. It’s free to walk around, but the creepy old rides will cost you! Yes, they are still in operation. 

Darling Harbour hosts regular fireworks displays at night, a spectacular and dazzling way to complete your free day in Sydney!