Five Free Things to Do in Sydney

The Australian city of Sydney is packed with attractions, many of which are free of charge. If you’re travelling on a budget, here are details of just five of the things that you can see and do for free in Sydney.

1. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens (Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney) are open daily throughout the year and admission is free of charge. The site’s feature gardens include a herb garden, a begonia garden and an Australian native rockery, and you can also explore its Rainforest Walk and Mrs Macquaries Bushland Walk. The Domain is an area of parkland which surrounds the botanic gardens.

2. Walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Although there is a charge to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, you can walk across it for free. Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and it was officially opened in 1932. It will take you about 20 minutes to walk across the bridge, which is nicknamed “the Coathanger”, and you’ll get fantastic views of the harbour.

3. Visit a Museum or Gallery. There are a number of museums and galleries that you can visit free of charge in Sydney. You can visit the Australian National Maritime Museum (2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney), which houses more than 40,000 exhibits, including a number of historic vessels. Other free museums and galleries in Sydney include the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney), the Museum of Contemporary Art (140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney) and the Nicholson Museum (University of Sydney, Sydney).

4. Take a Tour of Government House. Sydney’s Government House (Macquarie Street, Sydney) was home to 27 Governors of New South Wales between the years 1846 and 1996. It was constructed on the site of the first Governor’s Residence, and features Gothic Revival style architecture. Guided tours of the house are available between 10.30am and 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The grounds and gardens are open daily between 10am and 4pm.

5. Relax in Bicentennial Park. Opened during the 1980s, Bicentennial Park is part of the larger Sydney Olympic Park, and it’s the perfect place to go for a relaxing and free day out. There are more than 8km of cycleways and pathways in the park, so you can take a stroll or hire a bike. You can also go birdwatching, enjoy a picnic or even have a barbecue. The park’s attractions include Lake Belvedere, the Silent Hearts Memorial Garden and the Peace Monument. There are also two playgrounds for younger children to enjoy.

Sydney is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. Many different airlines operate flights to Sydney from London and other major international airports, and you’ll find a wide range of hotels and attractions within the city.

Image: Karen

Tags: Australia, Bicentennial Park, free attractions, Government House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Sydney Harbour Bridge