Top 10 Free Things to Do in Sydney

Sydney is without a doubt one of the best cities to study abroad in: with stunning coastline and beaches, national parks and bustling nightlife, you’ll never have a shortage of study break activities. After all, what’s better than hitting the beach post-lecture?

Unfortunately, Sydney is also one of the most expensive cities in the world, but don’t let that scare you off. Between the abundance of outdoor activities, student discounts, and places offering free admission, there are heaps of free things to do in Sydney that won’t break your student budget. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

By far my favorite thing to do in Sydney is the spectacular Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. With every corner you turn, you’ll be pulling out your camera to snap yet another Insta-worthy picture. The walk takes around two hours, but with all the beaches, cafes, rock pools, and lookout points along the way, you’ll want to block out a whole day if you can.

Sydney Opera House

What would a trip to Sydney be without a trip to the world-famous Opera House? Take a stroll down the boardwalk and enjoy the picturesque harbor view, with the Sydney Harbor Bridge in the distance.

Grab a beer at the Opera Bar (although, it’ll cost you for that view), or take a walk around the entire building to see the iconic architecture of the building from every angle.

Walk across the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Just across the pond from the Opera House, stands the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge. Save a few hundred dollars on the bridge climb and walk across the bridge to get the same stunning views of the harbor and city skyline.

Take the ferry to Manly

While the ferry ride will cost you a few dollars, once you arrive at Manly there’s no need break out the wallet again (except for an ice cream, of course). On the trip over, passing both the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House, you can enjoy what’s (in my opinion) the best view of the city.

Once you arrive in Manly, grab a surfboard, chill at the beach, or enjoy the local artists busking in the streets. If you visit on the weekend, you can catch the Manly Market Place showcasing unique products from local businesses. 

Manly to Spit Bridge Walk

Once you take the ferry over to Manly, this three-hour roundtrip oceanfront walk is the perfect activity before hitting Manly Beach for the day. Between May and November, you can even spot migrating whales in the distance as they make their way along the NSW coast.

The ending point of this journey, North Head Lookout, showcases stunning ocean views with the Sydney skyline in the distance. This lookout is also one of the best places in Sydney to catch the sunset.  

Dive into some culture

Entry to both the Art Gallery of NSW and Museum of Contemporary Art are completely free, with several different exhibitions and events available, and the MCA offers free guided tours daily. The Rocks Discovery Museum, rich in aboriginal history, is also free to enter and located in one of Sydney’s oldest neighborhoods.

Get back to nature

While Sydney is known for its city life, there’s no shortage of parks and gardens to get your nature fix. The Royal National Park is home to over 100km of walking tracks, picnic sites, and secluded beaches. Similarly, the Royal Botanical Gardens showcases immaculately kept gardens right in the heart of the city, and also offers free tours.  

Take in the million-dollar view at Observatory Hill

It’s hard to beat the view from Observatory Hill, a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. I know what you’re thinking…yet another view of the city? Trust me, this one is a must see!

Stick around until dark and take a look at the stars through one of the telescopes for a small fee.

Take a free walking tour

With a city as big and fast-paced as Sydney, it’s intimidating not knowing your way around when you first arrive. Especially if you’re planning on settling down for a while, a free city tour is the perfect way to get you familiar with the area.

A three-hour guided tour will show you all of the highlights and hot-spots in town. Also, check out the free shuttle bus that runs to central spots in the CBD.

Check out the free festivals

Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, there are heaps of free festivals and cultural events happening throughout city. Watch some epic fireworks on New Year’s Eve, catch the Mardi Gras parade, be amazed by the light festival at Vivid Sydney, or enjoy the culture and art of The Sydney Festival. Hopefully the timing of your visit to Sydney is good and you can catch at least one of these amazing events.