One of the best things to do in Sydney for free is to attend local events—and the city is rife with them! If you want to learn about indigenous heritage and culture, you can attend the Australian Heritage Festival, which ends on May 31 2022.
Badu Gili is also an iconic event to watch out for at the equally iconic Sydney Opera House. Watch the sails of the Opera House come to life with light projectioSydney has it all: stretches of beaches that harmoniously coexist with the bustling city and who can forget one of the most beautiful harbours in the world? Sydney offers lots at every turn for a good time.
If you wanna visit Sydney but are scared of breaking the bank, good news - we’ve here to let you in on the smartest ways to save money while in the famous harbour city:
- Visit free parks, libraries, and beaches
- Get the Klook Sydney Pass
- Attend free local events
- Go to local markets
1. Visit free parks, libraries, galleries, and beaches
Luckily for thrifty travellers and Sydneysiders alike, there are plenty of things to do in Sydney for free! The city is a trove of fantastic parks, libraries, beaches, art galleries, and museums that you can visit for free. Spend a whole weekend hopping from one place to another without spending a single cent on entrance fees!
One of the best free parks in the city is the Royal Botanic Garden, which boasts diverse flora landscaped masterfully along the 30-hectare area and magnificent views of Sydney Harbour. Barangaroo Reserve, a former concrete container terminal transformed into a flourishing foreshore park, is another ideal location for a laidback walk.
The State Library of NSW is the oldest library in Australia. Credits: Eriksson Luo on Unsplash
One of the best things to do in Sydney for free, especially for book lovers, is visiting the State Library of NSW. Aside from its vast collection of books, special collections, and references, this public library is also known for its striking architecture.
Feed your soul with the works of excellent contemporary artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Another great thing to do in Sydney for free is visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, home to the finest art collections and a venue for discussions and significant cultural events.
Bondi Beach is conveniently located minutes from Sydney CBD! Credits: @itsyurir on Instagram
Sydney has a slew of beautiful beaches that you can visit for free—no need for long road trips from the city to get your fill of surf, sand, and sea! Bondi Beach is one of the most famous ones in the city, thanks to it being only minutes away from the city centre. Manly Beach in Northern Sydney is also a favourite, thanks to the multitude of water activities you can enjoy there, including surfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), and more.
A little to the East of Manly Beach is Shelly Beach, part of a protected marine reserve. It's ideal for those yearning for more serenity away from the crowds.
2. Get the Klook Sydney Pass
Another way to save money on your grand Sydney adventure is by keeping an eye out for discounts. With the Klook Sydney Pass, you can save up to 36% on several attractions and activities in Sydney. With one pass, you can visit up to four attractions out of the available fifteen.
You can get access to the Sydney Hop On Hop Off Cruise using your Klook Sydney Pass.
Booking and using your Klook Sydney Pass is easy. Just choose your package type and determine whether you want access to two, three, or four attractions. Then, purchase the pass on the Klook product page and go to the “Bookings” part of “My Account”. Then you can reserve up to four activities, depending on your package type.
Taronga Zoo boasts a diverse collection of wildlife and views of Sydney Harbour!
Here are the activities and attractions you can access with your Klook pass:
- Sydney Hop On Hop Off Cruise (1 Day Pass)
- Sydney Zoo
- Taronga Zoo
- Secret Bar Crawl Experience
- Brix Distillers Rum Distillery Tour
- Sydney Opera House Tour
- Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Adventure
- True Crime Sightseeing Cruise
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
- Madame Tussauds Sydney
- Sydney Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tours
- Sydney Tower Eye Ticket
- WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Entry Ticket
- Blue Mountains Scenic World Scenic Pass
- Australian National Maritime Museum Ticket
Pose with Spidey and other superheroes and celebs at Madame Tussauds! Credits: @tussaudssydney on Instagram
3. Attend free local events
The Australian Heritage Festival is free for the public! Credits: @australianheritagefestival on Instagram
ns of First Nation stories. There is also a slew of free galleries, performances, and even yoga events that you can try in the city. Check out the schedule of free events in Sydney to keep up to date.
4. Go to local markets
Get some fresh produce from the Bondi Farmer’s Market. Credits: @kurrawongorganics on Instagram
If you’re a shopaholic or simply on the lookout for the best affordable finds in town, you’ll be pleased with the local markets in Sydney. On Saturdays, you can go to the Bondi Farmer’s Market to source fresh produce and organic, sustainable food.
Carriageworks Farmers Market is also a great source of seasonal produce, artisan bread, boutique wines, etc. The Rocks Markets also liven up the weekend with its harbourside stalls that sell gourmet street food and artisanal wares.
