10 Top Free Things to Do in Sydney: Explore Sydney on a Budget

Written by Rohitha Bollipalli on November 28, 2018

From art museums to coastal walks, Australia’s dream city, Sydney has it all. When you’re here, do not worry about spending a bomb to have a good time. This blog is here to help you out with all the free things to do in Sydney while vacationing here. Yes! The Sydney Opera House and The Harbour Bridge are part of it. Read on, you’ll know.

1. Walk across the Sydney Harbour

The Sydney Harbor Bridge connects the financial center of the city with the northern coast, a residential and commercial area. After more than eight years of construction, it was opened to the public on March 19, 1932. * El puente de la Bahía de Sídney conecta el centro financiero de la ciudad con la costa norte, zona de carácter residencial y comercial. Tras más de ocho años de construcción abrió al público el 19 de marzo de 1932. * #australia #sydney #sydneyharbour #bridge #bridges #interesting #amazing #loveaustralia #myplaceintheworld #lugaresconencanto #awesome #operahouse #aussie #ilovesydney #picoftheday #travelholic #traveling #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelgram #travellers #nsw #pictureoftheday #picofday #amazing_australia #traveltheworld #viaje #wonderlust #oceania

A post shared by Javier (@ventanilla_de_emergencia) on Nov 23, 2018 at 8:36pm PST

Breathe in the best views of the city right from the centre-stage of it. You’ll never regret the number of pictures of Sydney’s urbane views that will result from this walk.

2. Chill off at the Sydney Opera House

A post shared by Valeria (@karmanovich_l) on Nov 25, 2018 at 9:33pm PST

This is the dream, right? Find a nice spot by the sea overlooking the opera house. If you’re lucky you’ll find one right in front of this bustle. It’s all the prettier in the nights, the lighted panels of the Opera house’s walls come alive with colours and patterns. During big days, fireworks shoot into the sky right from here, so get there earlier to watch them.

3. Visit the iconic Sydney cricket ground

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A post shared by Sydney Cricket Ground (@ourscg) on Aug 7, 2019 at 10:42pm PDT

It’s not without a reason that Australia always brings up cricket on our minds when we think about it! We can never get over the iconic moments of cricket especially in the 172-years old Sydney cricket ground aka SCG. Now with the T20 world cup lining up to spark up ultimate entertainment in the sprawling SCG ground with 48,000 seat-capacity, there’s no better time to visit Australia.

4. Explore the Rocks

•Landmark handstand• × × × × × #sydney #australia #operahouse #harbourbridge #handstand

A post shared by Adam Lahav (@adaml.adventure) on Nov 19, 2018 at 9:04pm PST

The area directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge is what the Aussies dearly refer to as ‘ The Rocks’. This is where you should go if you like to party! Not to say much about the spirit of Sydney hidden away in plain sight.

5. Sit all day and do nothing in Centennial Park

Just a boy and his toy. ✈️ . . . . . . . . . . #aerial #dronegram #picoftheday #photooftheday #instadrone #pro #ocean #naturelovers #artofvisuals #paradise #airphoto #droneracing #air #drone #multirotor #sunset #earthfocus #dronepilot #google #exploretocreate #dji #mavicpro #lensbible #likeforlikes #followforfollowback #sydney

A post shared by Dan Gray (@smallfriesandacoke) on Nov 25, 2018 at 12:36am PST

Well, this drone photo will say much more about the park than I ever will.

6. Take the Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach walk

Repost from @distilledstills Congratulations on your #australiatouristguides #placestovisit #feature – The scenic coastal walks are one of the best things to do in Sydney. The sweeping vistas, the amazing rock formations, all the facilities along the way and all of it for free! Get your heart racing not only with the exercise but the unlimited beauty in these walks. If you’re here in warmer weather you might enjoy a dip in many of the public pools just lining these walks. Bond to Coggee was the best trail I’ve walked till now! . #bonditocogeewalk #bondibeach #cogeebeach #sceniccoastalwalk #scenicwalk #trailwalking #sydneynsw #visitsydney #visitnsw #ilovesydney #checksydney #cityscapes #landscapes #traveldestinations #traveltips #pasionpassport #passportwanders #wanderlust #beachscenes #surfsandsun #aquamarine #australiagram_nsw #australia_shotz #goprohero5 #gopro #goproindia #hiking

A post shared by australiatouristguides.com (@australiatouristguides) on Aug 27, 2018 at 7:23pm PDT

You’ve heard of the quintessential Bondi Beach at least once in your life. This beautiful one must be one of the best in the world, thanks to the tourists who swear by it. A walk from here to the Coogee beach not only takes you to the next best thing in Australia but also gives you clifftop views of Sydney’s beachside suburbs. Don’t miss this one.

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A post shared by Sarah Chung (@teehee_heeyeon) on Nov 25, 2018 at 4:58pm PST

7. Barangaroo Foreshore Walk

Oh how I miss the sun #winterblues

A post shared by Karri Graf (@karrigraf) on Jun 27, 2017 at 2:38am PDT

A walk from Darling Harbour to The Rocks must be such a hyped up enough activity for you to consider taking it up. Full of built-up urban settlements and Sydney city feels this is the best of all. The beaches peppering this lane are a highlight too.

“Be a tourist”

A post shared by bert (@lachy__james) on Jun 29, 2017 at 11:35pm PDT

8. Window shop at Paddington Markets

What a great market! #paddingtonmarkets #paddington #sydney

A post shared by Tina (@teenemdavz) on Nov 9, 2018 at 4:43pm PST

This flea market is good to make friends with some fellow tourists and to window shop some of the cutest accessories in the country. The stuff sold in the stalls come very cheap too, so I take all the liberty in adding this to a ‘free things to do in Sydney’ post.

9. Take a stroll down Mrs Macquaries Point

On Fire ??? The most iconic of Sydney views, from Mrs Macquarie’s Point. When the sunset goes off, it’s the best place to be! . . . . #ilovesydney #mrsmacquarieschair #sydneysunset #seeaustralia @australia #discoverearth #ig_color #voyaged #australia_shotz #australiagram #takemetoaustralia #ozscapers #sydneysunsetclub #sunset_stream #sunset_vision #super_photosunsets #sky_marvels #world_bestsky #master_gallery #amazing_shots #gramslayers #theIMAGED #earthfocus @fantastic_earth #master_shots #artofvisuals #globalcapture #ig_myshots #igworldclub_sunset

A post shared by Nikki B | Sydney | Australia (@nikkibings) on Nov 24, 2018 at 1:36am PST

When you’re done with the city and like to enjoy a nice sunset view, head to Mrs Macqueries point. You’ll be able to watch the city from afar with the Opera house and Harbour bridge bobbing in and out of sight with passing clouds.