24 fabulous things you can do in Sydney for free

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Sydney is a pricey place indeed. Here, you’ll find that eating, drinking and sleeping can all seriously drain anyone’s carefully planned travel budget.

Yet the flip side of this flashy place is that many of Sydney’s genuine highlights are absolutely free, and it’s easy to take much of the city’s excitement without spending a dime. The great outdoors is key: Sydney’s magical array of beaches and parks are all free to access. The city center also has numerous free historical attractions, galleries and museums.

Here’s how to get the best out of Sydney for free.

1. Cross Sydney Harbour Bridge by foot

Iconic and enormous, majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge (circa 1932) spans the harbor in the very heart of the city. The best way to appreciate its scale and location is with a free crossing on your own two feet. Stairs and elevators climb up the bridge from both shores, leading to a footpath on the eastern side (the western side is a bike path).

Getting the train to Milsons Pt and walking back toward the city is the most spectacular way to do it: the approaching skyline and epic harbor vistas are breathtaking. It’s the next best thing to shelling out for BridgeClimb, which is a guided tour right to the very top of the bridge.

2. Feel the poignancy of the Anzac Memorial

The dignified, art deco Anzac Memorial commemorates the soldiers of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who served in World War I. The interior dome is studded with 120,000 stars, one for each NSW soldier who served; these twinkle above Rayner Hoff’s poignant sculpture Sacrifice. The downstairs Hall of Service features the names of as well as soil samples from all of the soldiers’ NSW places of origin. An exhibition narrates stories and artifacts of some of those who fought; a remembrance service takes place each day at 11am.

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Pines at the southwestern entry grow from seeds gathered at Gallipoli in Turkey, the site of the Anzacs’ most renowned WWI campaign. Near the memorial, a modern sculpture of bullets titled Yininmadyemi commemorates Aboriginal service personnel and the location of a former Gadigal ritual contest ground.

3. Learn about Aboriginal history at the Rocks Discovery Museum

Situated in the heart of the Rocks tourist precinct, the excellent Rocks Discovery Museum still manages to fly under the radar. It digs deep into Sydney’s history with artifact-rich displays divided into four sections: Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788–1820), Port (1820–1900) and Transformations (1900 to the present). Its exhibits are a particularly good way to learn about the Rocks’ original inhabitants, the Gadigal people. You can also expect intriguing tales of early colonial characters.

Local tip: The third floor hosts temporary exhibitions, which you can check out in advance on the museum’s website.

4. Cliff-hop along the Bondi to Coogee Trail

Getting you up close and personal with some epic Sydney scenery, the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a must-do. The city’s most renowned (and popular) pathway takes you along a series of stunning beaches, the rocky headlands that bracket them and the wide blue ocean – with whales often visible offshore. Both ends of the walk are well connected to bus routes, as are most points in between should you feel too hot and bothered to continue – although a cooling dip at any of the beaches en route should cure that (be sure to pack your bathing suit).

Local tip: Carry water and apply plenty of sun protection, as this walk offers minimal shade.

5. Immerse yourself in harbor heritage at Cockatoo Island

The short ferry hop to Cockatoo Island provides a glimpse of Sydney’s past: the island has housed a prison, a shipyard and a naval base, with evidence of all its incarnations in full view. Stroll the photogenic industrial relics and explore the atmospheric tunnel that bores right through from one side to the other. Various tours add levels of insight to the experience, with regular art exhibitions and installations occupying some of the buildings.

Planning tip: Cockatoo Island makes for a fascinating day trip, but you can also make a night of it, if you want to splash out. A campground offers various levels of enticing glamping accommodation.

6. Board the Manly Ferry

Plenty of cruises show off one of the world’s most spectacular harbors. But you can get the very same views by jumping on a workaday ferry.

Okay, technically the ferry isn’t free...but the small public transport fare (around 10 Australian dollars) gets you a major deal indeed once you’re out on the water, as you watch the glorious bays and foreshores slip past.

The half-hour ride to Manly from Circular Quay gives you the best experience, giving you a long look at Sydney’s slick eastern suburbs before taking you past the heads that guard the entrance from the ocean.

Detour: Ferries to Watson’s Bay are also a great option, as are the RiverCat services up to Parramatta.

7. Praise the architecture at St James’ Church

Built from convict-made bricks in 1819, St James’ Church is Sydney’s oldest, and widely considered to be the masterpiece of architect Francis Greenway, a liberated convict himself. Greenway originally designed this stately structure as a courthouse – but the brief changed, and the cells turned into the church crypt.

Any visitor should look out for the dark-wood choir loft, the sparkling copper dome, the crypt and the 1950s stained-glass Creation Window. And it’s worth reading the marble plaques along the walls for some insights into early colonial life and exploration. A more recent plaque commemorates former prime minister Gough Whitlam and his partner Margaret.

Local tip: The church has an active program of music, with regular lunchtime concerts and other choral events.

8. Enjoy the splendor of the Botanic Garden of Sydney

Draped around the harbor in the heart of town, the Royal Botanic Garden of Sydney was established in 1816 and features verdant plant life from around the world set against an unforgettable backdrop. Within the free-to-enter garden are hothouses with palms and ferns, as well as the Calyx, a striking exhibition space (requiring a paid ticket) with a curving glasshouse gallery and a wall of greenery and plant-themed temporary exhibitions.

The garden includes the site of the colony’s first paltry vegetable patch – but its history goes back much further than that. Long before colonization and the arrival of the convicts, this was an initiation ground for the Gadigal people, the original inhabitants of central Sydney. Free 1.5-hour guided walks depart from the visitor center at 10:30am daily.

Local tip: Book ahead for a (paid) Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour with an Indigenous guide.

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9. Dive into Australia’s past and present at the Art Gallery of NSW

With its neoclassical Greek frontage and modern additions, the much-loved Art Gallery of NSW plays a prominent role in Sydney society. While blockbuster international touring exhibitions arrive regularly, the outstanding, free-to-visit permanent collection of Australian art, including a substantial Aboriginal art section, is always a crowd favorite.

Next door, you’ll find the art gallery’s latest addition: the Sydney Modern Project, a gorgeous new building that’s all light and fresh perspectives. The gallery also plays host to lectures, concerts, screenings, celebrity talks and children’s activities.

Local tip: A range of free guided tours are offered on different themes and in various languages. Check the art gallery’s website for more information.

10. Feel the vibe in the Inner West

The coolest cats in Sydney hang out in the Inner West, a series of inner suburbs stretching south and west of Sydney’s downtown core. It’s a bastion of students, socialism and long-standing Aboriginal and immigrant communities, with gentrification having brought craft breweries, seriously good cafes and eye-watering rental prices into the mix. The districts of Redfern, Glebe, Chippendale and Marrickville are all appealing for a stroll and a bite or meal – but it’s Newtown’s winning mix of restaurants, street performers, pubs and quirky characters that make an evening out here a great Sydney experience.

Local tip: Plenty of the cheaper restaurants in this area are BYO, meaning that you can “bring your own” wine to drink for a small corkage fee.

11. Take a stroll and a dip at Barangaroo Reserve

Where dockworkers once toiled, families now stroll at this pretty headland park, which offers gorgeous harborside paths, an exhibition space and a pretty little swimming cove called Marrinawi. Formerly a dockyard, the park links the excellent eating scene near Barangaroo ferry stop with the picturesque wharves of Walsh Bay, home to theater and dance companies.

12. Get outdoors and active at Centennial Park

Scratched out of the sand in 1888 in grand Victorian style, Centennial Park, Sydney’s biggest, is a rambling 470-acre expanse full of horse riders, runners, cyclists and in-line skaters, as well as lower-heart-rate strollers, picnickers and nappers. Grab a park map at any of the entrances or the information center in the middle.

Local tip: Keep your eye out for free events in Sydney’s warmer months.

13. Get insight into an artist’s mind at Brett Whiteley Studio

Acclaimed Sydney artist Brett Whiteley (1939–92) lived fast and without restraint – and his bad-boy reputation was matched by the scale of his talent. Many of his awesome paintings were created in his hard-to-find studio (look for the signs on Devonshire and Bourke Sts), which has been preserved as a gallery, free for the public to access.

Pride of place goes to his astonishing Alchemy, a giant multi-panel extravaganza that could absorb you for hours with its broad themes, intricate details and humorous asides. The upstairs studio room gives insight into this masterful draftsman’s character and off-the-wall genius.

Planning tip: This studio art museum is closed to the public until 2026 to improve accessibility and conserve Whiteley’s works. 

14. Feel the drama at North Head

Looming over the entrance to Sydney Harbour, memorable North Head combines dramatic cliffs, lookouts, secluded beaches, pretty paths through the native scrub with sweeping views of the ocean, harbor and city. It’s a great spot to explore by bike or on foot: plot your own path past former military barracks, World War II gun emplacements, a quarantine cemetery and a memorial walk commemorating Australia's military. At the tip, Fairfax Lookouts offer dramatic clifftop perspectives.

A roughly 9km, 4-hour walking route loops around the park; pick up a brochure from the visitor center to chart the course. Also here is the historic Q Station, once a quarantine stop for incoming ship passengers and today well worth exploring. North Head is believed to have been used as a ceremonial site by the native Cammeraygal people. These days, most of the headland composes part of Sydney Harbour National Park.

Local tip: Get here from central Sydney via the ferry to Manly.

15. Hike through the Royal National Park

Just south of the city lies a huge expanse of subtropical rainforest, windblown coastal scrub, sandstone gullies dominated by gum trees, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, secluded beaches and dramatic cliffs. Welcome to Royal National Park.

Established in 1879, this is the second-oldest national park in the world (after Yellowstone in the USA). And since this is the traditional home of the Dharawal people, there are also numerous Aboriginal sites and artifacts that date back even further. Walking trails include the spectacular 26km, 2-day Coast Track, accessible by public transport at each end.

Beaches abound within the park’s confines. Garie, Wattamolla, Era, South Era and Burning Palms are popular surf beaches, while Werrong Beach is clothing optional.

Planning tip: Importantly, most beaches at the Royal National Park are not patrolled and rip currents can make them dangerous. The Instagram-famous Figure Eight Pools are particularly perilous and should be visited on a guided tour. If you do decide to go it alone, check the National Park website for the tide forecast on the day of your visit, and only get in the water if it’s safe to do so at low tide.

16. Take in top contemporary art at White Rabbit

In many ways Sydney’s best contemporary art gallery, White Rabbit is tucked away behind the Central Park development in Chippendale. It’s the brainchild of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson, who has amassed one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art produced since 2000 – and has so many pieces that only a fraction can be displayed at one time. You’ll find art here that is edgy, funny, sexy and idiosyncratic.

Local tip: If you get hungry, an on-site cafe does specialty teas and dumplings. You can also head nearby Spice Alley.

17. Unwind in a Secret Garden

On the shore of Lavender Bay, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is one of Sydney’s hidden treasures. The public garden was created by artist Brett Whiteley’s widow (herself an artist) on an old railway siding, and is accessed through Clark Park, off Lavender St. You can stroll on from here to McMahon’s Point, where you’ll find an awesome view of the bridge and Opera House, as well as a ferry back to Circular Quay.

18. Discover treasures of the past at the University of Sydney

The University of Sydney sits in sandstone splendor at the beginning of the Inner West’s intriguing suburbs. A genuine gem is its Chau Chak Wing Museum, whose eclectic collection of art and artifacts is presented in a relaxing modern display. The highlight is the fascinating archeological collection, which includes a Lego model of Pompeii that is an absolute must-see. Make sure to leave a bit of time to stroll the university’s pretty grounds afterward.

Local tip: An afternoon visit here makes the ideal precursor to an evening checking out the bars and restaurant scene of nearby Newtown.

19. Nose around the city’s weekend markets

Sydney’s thriving market scene brings character and color to the city’s weekends. Originating in the 1970s, when they were drenched in the scent of patchouli oil, the Paddington Markets are these days considerably more mainstream, though it’s still possible to find a gem among vendors stocking new and vintage clothing, crafts and jewelry. Glebe Markets keeps the hippie vibe alive, while the farmers market at Carriageworks heaves with colorful produce of all varieties.

Local tip: Look out for events by Blak Markets, which runs lively markets at La Perouse and other city locations. This social enterprise ensures all you spend goes directly into the pockets of Aboriginal stallholders.

20. Check out what’s new at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Right on the harbor by Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is a showcase for Australian and international contemporary art. Visitors will enjoy a rotating permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, with Aboriginal art featuring prominently.

The original art deco building has had a modern space grafted onto it, the highlight of which is the rooftop cafe with stunning views over Circular Quay and the harbor. Free guided tours in several languages are offered each day.

21. Snorkel among marine life at Shelly Beach

A ticket to see the packed tanks at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is pricey, it’s true – but you can see plenty of marine life in its natural habitat at Shelly Beach. This pretty, sheltered, north-facing ocean cove is an appealing 1km walk from the busy Manly beach strip. The tranquil waters are a protected haven for marine life, and provide a wonderful opportunity for snorkeling.

Local tip: You can easily combine this with an exploration of nearby North Head (see above).

22. Peruse the tomes at the State Library of NSW

Among the State Library of NSW’s more than 5 million books are James Cook’s and Joseph Banks’ journals, and William Bligh’s log from the mutinous Bounty. It’s worth dropping in to admire the elaborately sculpted bronze doors and grand atrium of the neoclassical Mitchell Wing (1910); note the beautiful map of Abel Tasman’s journeys on the mosaic floor. The main reading room is an elegant temple of knowledge clad in milky marble. On this level and upstairs are excellent exhibition galleries that highlight the breadth of the collection.

23. Gaze at the stars from Barrenjoey Lighthouse

This historic sandstone lighthouse (1881) sits at the northern tip of the Northern Beaches in an annex of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. You’ve got two route options – shorter stairs or a winding, convict-built track – for the steep hike to the top; majestic views across Pittwater and down the peninsula are worth the effort. From the viewpoint, you might also spot passing whales.

Local tip: The route starts from the car park in the reserve at the northern end of Palm Beach, runs along the beach on the Pittwater side and then up the hill. There are no toilets at the top.

24. Hit the beach

You’ll truly soak in Sydney’s on the sand. The city has some 40 ocean beaches stretching over nearly 88km (55 miles) of coastline, as well as dozens more in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. The expansive crescent of Bondi is deservedly famous, but you’re sure to find your own favorite.

The Eastern Beaches run south from Bondi and are easily accessed by bus; the Northern Beaches are further from the city core and a little wilder. Many have seawater pools, which allow for calmer swimming away from the pounding breakers. Sydney’s smaller harborfront beaches offer more sedate water, which is excellent for younger children.

Local tip: At the ocean beaches, be sure to swim between the flags to avoid strong currents, and so the lifeguards can keep an eye on you.