Top 5 FREE Things to do in Sydney

Sydney is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with a variety of things to see and do – for a price. But don’t despair! These are the top 5 free things to do in Sydney, that won’t break the bank.

1. Walk the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Sydney Harbor Bridge

While many visitors can spend up to several hundred dollars to climb the arches of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, there is a much cheaper option, with a view almost as good. Walking the pedestrian footpath over the Harbor Bridge won’t cost you a penny! The bridge spans more than half a mile and provides some of the best views of the Sydney harbor and the Opera House. The footpath is set away from the car lanes and railway tracks and provides an up-close view of one of Sydney’s most recognizable landmarks. While access to the Harbor Bridge is free, if you’re looking to go a little higher, there is also the option of climbing the Southeastern Pylon Lookout, for a fee. The Pylon Lookout takes visitors 87 meters above the water and houses a historical exhibition about the construction of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Click here for admission and opening times to the Pylon Lookout.

Cost: Free

Sydney Harbor Bridge
Circular Quay
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9240 8500

2. Visit the Sydney Fish Market

A seafood lover’s delight, the Sydney Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere. The selection of seafood is staggering, with more than 100 species of fish, crustaceans and mollusks for sale daily. The Sydney Fish Market sits on the edge of Blackwattle Bay, so everything is literally “fresh off the boat”.

Entry is free and inside are a variety of shops selling almost every type of seafood under the sun. If you don’t feel like cooking your own food, there are several cafes and restaurants that will sell you your seafood selection and then prepare it to your liking. Not limited to just seafood, the Sydney Fish Market also has several specialty food stores, including a wine shop where visitors can pick up a chilled Sauvignon Blanc to go with their basket of king prawns.

Cost: Free

Sydney Fish Market
200/9 Bank St
Sydney, NSW, 2009
Australia

Phone: (02) 9004 1100

3. Picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens

Living up to its name, the Royal Botanic Gardens is fit for a king. The gardens span nearly 75 acres and house more than 45,000 species of plants and flowers which remain colorful year-round, thanks to Sydney’s temperate climate. Entry to the gardens is free and having a picnic on the lush green lawns makes for a wonderful afternoon, while providing stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and harbor.

However, it’s not all flowers and plants.The gardens’ also have an amazing variety of wildlife. Giant bats, known as flying foxes have taken up residence in a few of the trees where they hang upside down like large furry seed pods. When evening begins to fall, the mass exodus of bats on their nightly feed is a spectacular sight as they fly over the city. The gardens are also a haven for local birds. Large white cockatoos are some of the most endearing residents, however, despite being lovely to look at, visitors are discouraged from feeding them.

After the picnic, take a free guided tour of the gardens led by one of the volunteer guides, to get an inside look at what it takes to keep the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens maintained.

A map of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens can be found here.

Cost: Free

Royal Botanic Gardens
Mrs Macquaries Road
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9231 8111/ (02) 9231 8125 – Weekends

4. Visit Government House

Government House

Located within the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Government House has the distinction of being designed by Edward Blore, the same man who designed Buckingham Palace. The building is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and was home to 27 New South Wales Governors, until 1996 when it became an official site for the Governor to meet heads of state.

Entry into Government House is free and visitors have access to both the house and the beautifully manicured gardens.

Cost: Free

Government House
Macquarie Street
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9931 5222

5. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bronte Beach – one of the beaches along the trail of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

The Bondi to Coogee walk is nearly 4 miles long and starts on the cliffs overlooking Bondi Beach. It takes most people about 2 hours to complete the trail which has some lovely coastal scenery, along the way. In the summer months, the trail can get quite crowded, so going early in the morning, or in the evening, is advisable if you want to avoid the masses. Make sure to wear good shoes and put on plenty of sunscreen as there’s not a lot of shade along the trail. Overall, the terrain is pretty even, although there are a few hills and flights of stairs.

The walk takes you through Tamarama Beach, home of Sydney’s first seaside theme park, Bondi Aquarium. This was renamed Wonderland City during the late 19^th century when a large wooden roller coaster took up much of the beach, along with other rides and swings and there was even an elephant giving rides to people on the sand.

Make sure to stop at Waverley Cemetery, arguably one of the best places to spend eternity. With a million dollar view that overlooks the Tasman Sea, the cemetery is a wealth of local history. It’s still an active graveyard, consisting of more than 50,000 graves, some of which date back to 1877.

At the end of the trail is Coogee, a trendy beach town similar to Bondi. Filled with cafes, restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great place to relax after the long walk.

Cost: Free

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Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bondi Beach from the trail

It’s one of the most famous beaches in the world; Bondi Beach is known for its great surf and bronzed bodies. However, there’s more to the area than just the beach. Bondi is also the start of one of the best coastal walks in Sydney.

The Bondi to Coogee walk is nearly 4 miles long and starts on the cliffs overlooking Bondi Beach. It takes most people about 2 hours to complete the trail and while it is guaranteed to be a good workout, it’s also a great way to see some of the Eastern Suburbs’ stunning coastline and beaches. A map of the route can be found here.

Get Organized

In the summer months the trail can get quite crowded, so going early in the morning, or in the evening is advisable if you want to avoid the masses. Make sure to wear good shoes and put on plenty of sunscreen, as there’s not a lot of shade along the way. Overall, the terrain is pretty even, although there are a few hills and flights of stairs.

Tamarama Beach

Leaving Bondi, the first major beach is Tamarama. This beach has an interesting history, as it was home to Sydney’s first seaside theme park. In the late 1800s, the Bondi Aquarium was built. This was later renamed Wonderland City. A large wooden roller coaster used to take up much of the beach, along with other rides and swings and there was even an elephant giving rides to people on the sand.

Bronte Beach

Just beyond Tamarama is Bronte Beach which is a good place to stop for a drink and a snack. There are plenty of cafes to relax at, or you can take a breather in the beach’s oceanfront park. At the far end of Bronte Beach is Bronte Baths, a man-made ocean pool built into the base of the sandstone cliffs, back in 1887, and designed to provide an alternative to ocean swimming.

Waverley Cemetery

Waverley Cemetery

One of the most interesting stops along the route is the Waverley Cemetery, arguably one of the best places to spend eternity. With a million dollar view that overlooks the Tasman Sea, the cemetery is a wealth of local history. It’s still an active graveyard, consisting of more than 50,000 graves, some of which date back to 1877. They range from humble wooden crosses, to ostentatious marble mausoleums. There is even the grave of a pilot with an old airplane propeller for a tombstone.

Clovelly

Further down the trail is Clovelly, a favorite spot for families. The water in this area is calm and perfect for swimming. While some people do snorkel, the best spot for that is nearby Gordon’s Bay, which boasts a host of marine life.

At the end of the trail is Coogee, a trendy beach town similar to Bondi. Filled with cafes, restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great place to relax after the long walk.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

Finding a Rental Apartment in Sydney

Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be tough, but knowing how to navigate the world of real estate agencies and rental contracts will make the process easier.

Waterfront homes in Sydney

The Sydney rental market is not for the faint of heart. It requires time, effort, and a lot of patience. Hotels and hostels are not long-term options as they can be expensive, so when moving to Sydney, try and find a place to live as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, rent is not cheap in this part of the country. Sydney is one of the more popular cities in Australia, and also one of the priciest. Renting a studio apartment can cost as much as a 2-bedroom house in another Australian city.

The rental market in Sydney is booming and estate agents and landlords have no trouble filling available accommodation. To top it off, the competition is stiff and it is not unheard of for potential renters to actually offer more than the asking rental rate.

Finding a Rental in Sydney – Private or Agency?

There are two main ways to find a rental in Sydney: either privately or through a rental agency.

There are plenty of private listings from people renting out rooms, apartments or houses that they own. These can be found in online classifieds like Gumtree.com, or in newspapers.

Going through an agency is more complicated. Most agencies have branches in almost every suburb in Sydney. Decide on an area to live and contact the nearest agency office. They will be able to provide a list of their latest rentals and put you on their mailing list for any future rentals. Renters can also visit the agency’s website which has a full listing of available properties.

Each week, rental agencies hold public showings of available properties. Be prepared to spend your Saturdays going from viewing to viewing, as most of them are shown only on that day. Each viewing lasts between 15 – 20 minutes, which means prospective tenants have to get there early to check it out. Viewings are open to the public, so you’ll be looking at a rental along with everyone else who is interested in the place.

Tips on Finding a Rental

Plan your day accordingly.

Many places have viewings that are at the same time, or 15 minutes apart, so know the places that you want to see ahead of time and try and see several in the same neighborhood.

Attend weekday viewings.

Sometimes a rental agency will have a viewing during the week. This is a good chance to gain the upper hand over other prospective applicants, as there are fewer people who are able to view a place on a weekday. It means that you have a better chance of getting your application in first.

Rent a studio.

If you are single, or a couple, the competition is not as stiff for studio apartments. Most renters are looking for larger places.

Come prepared.

Have a copy of your bank statement and passport or driver’s license on hand, to attach to your application. Many agencies require this and it helps you turn in your application sooner.

Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be a daunting process, but don’t give up. When you do find a place, you not only have a new area to explore, you’re also living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

More Sydney Rental Resources

Domain.com.au
Realestate.com.au

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

Sydney in Under $50 a Day.

While it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Sydney is certainly not the cheapest. And with the Australian dollar exceeding parity with the US dollar, visitors are looking for ways to make their money go further.

Fortunately, there are a variety of activities that won’t leave your wallet hurting.

Luna Park

The entrance to Luna Park is perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Sydney, second only to the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Located just a short ferry ride across the harbor, Luna Park is Sydney’s only amusement park.

Entrance to Luna park

The park first opened in 1935 and has kept its sideshow charm. Walk through the giant grinning mouth and visitors are surrounded by a carnival atmosphere.

Admission to the park is free, but you pay per ride. Indulge your inner child (or your own children) with everything from the Ferris Wheel, to slides, to carnival games.

After working up an appetite, head to the nearby Lighthouse Cafe for one of the meal deals. It’s a cheap and easy way to grab food on the go!

Cost Breakdown

• Admission: Free
• Rides: $10/ride
• Meal Deal at Lighthouse Cafe (burger OR hot dog plus chips and a drink): $12

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Sydney Fish Market

Ranking up there with the top seafood markets in Japan and Pike’s Place in Seattle, the Sydney Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere.

A behind the scenes tour* of the market is a great way to see how seafood makes its way from the ocean to the plate. The tour takes visitors onto the auction floor of the market to get an up close look at the haggling and trading of seafood. There is also a stop at the Sydney Seafood School where visitors might get to watch a cooking class in action, or a demonstration of oyster shucking.

After the tour, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. The menu is extensive, offering everything from the standard offering of fish and chips, to Lobster Thermidor!

*Tours start at 6.55am and end at 8:30am.

Cost Breakdown

• Fish Market Tour: $20 adults/$10 children 13 years and under
• Lunch:: $10+

Darling Harbor

Darling Harbor is one of Sydney’s main tourist areas and a great place to take kids. Set along the harbor are a variety of shops, restaurants and attractions. Spend a couple of hours at the Sydney Aquarium and check out some of Australia’s marine animals, including crocodiles, the duck-billed platypus, and sharks. There is also an exhibit showcasing the marine life of the Sydney harbor.

Fish not your thing? Right next door is the Sydney Wildlife World, home to some of Australia’s most deadly inhabitants: snakes, scorpions, and one of the largest crocodiles in captivity.

The nearby Ice Cube Restaurant is a great place to grab a meal of fish and chips. Here’s a tip: the restaurant serves a wide variety of local seafood, but you’re looking at $25+ for a plate. Just around the corner is Ice Cube Ahoy, the restaurant’s takeaway counter. The two restaurants use the same kitchen and the same ingredients, but the take-away prices are about a third less. There’s less variety to choose from, but you can’t beat the prices.

Cost Breakdown

• Wildlife World or Aquarium Adult General Admission: $34.99
• Takeaway Lunch: $10+

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Located near busy Darling Harbor, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a peaceful oasis in the middle of a bustling metropolis.

Picturesque view of the Chinese Gardens

The garden is filled with perfectly manicured landscapes, weeping willows and plenty of massive koi fish. One thing that you won’t find in most Chinese gardens are the large lizards that call the grounds home. They freely roam the area, sunning themselves on rocks and ignoring passersby.

The garden’s Teahouse is a nice way to end a visit. The menu features a variety of refreshments from traditional Chinese tea, to a more European fare of cream scones.

Don’t miss the life size replica of a traditional Chinese bridal carriage carved completely out of jade. The ornate carriage is the only one of its kind outside of China.

Cost Breakdown

• Garden Entrance Fee with Tea Included: $11

To find other things to do in Sydney that won’t cost you a penny, take a look at the Top 5 FREE Things to Do in Sydney.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile