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Free things to do in Sydney

What are the top FREE things to do in Sydney?

Fun Free things to see and do in Sydney during the weekends and holidays

The are many free things to do in Sydney included on Sydney's top 100 things to do list. Below you will find a selection of these free things to do along with a few more included from other parts of the Sydney100.com web site. We may even throw in a couple more for free. If you know of any free things that we have missed please let us know and we will include them on this page.

Free Walks around Sydney Harbour - Spit Bridge to Manly

There are many excellent walks around Sydney Harbour, through Sydney's National Parks and alongside Sydney's glorious beaches and across its headlands. Many are listed on Sydney's top 100 things to do, one of the best is the Spit Bridge to Manly walk ranked at No. 35.

Government House

A visit to Government House is surprisingly free. We list Government House at No. 38 on Sydney's top 100. You can combine this with a pleasant stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens - listed at No. 9.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Located right in the heart of Sydney, this beautiful 200 year old garden contains an outstanding collection of native and foreign horticulture. If you are seriously interested in Botanic Gardens you can include yourself on a tour for free:

Free Tours of the Royal Botanic Gardens

Sydney Harbour Bridge

As you might expect, it costs a lot to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, much less for a trip up the Sydney Harbour Pylon but it costs nothing to walk across it.

Sydney Harbour Bridge - listed at No. 6

Bondi Beach

There is currently no charge to enter the "Peoples Beach" aka Bondi. In fact, you don't even have to pay to watch Bondi Life Guards (think Bondi Rescue) from, hopefully (if you get my rift) standing around doing not much. Soak up the atmosphere, sights and sounds of the most entertaining and interesting beach in world. And, oh yes - it's gorgeous to.

Bondi Beach - listed at No.15

And, if you feel like stretching your legs, you can take an awesome coastal walk all the way from Bondi to Coogee.

Walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach - Listed at No. 21

Paddington Reservoir Garden

The mildly romanesque Paddington Reservoir Garden is free to get into and, as a bonus, free to get out of as well. The garden has been built below street level at the bottom of an old water reservoir. It contains an ornamental pond and hanging gardens.

Paddington Reservoir Garden - listed at No.109

Sydney's Museums and Art Galleries

Sydney is perhaps Australia's most fortunate city as it is surrounded by natural splendour with the world's most gorgeous natural harbour at its heart. On top of all this, Sydney has added Australia's most famous landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. This would hardly seem to make Sydney an ideal home for Australia's top museums and art galleries, given there are so many other things to do in Sydney. Yet, it is. Many of Sydney's museums and art galleries are free, or partially free, to get into. The Art Gallery of NSW (No.77) has established itself internationally with some major must-see exhibitions. The Museum of Contemporary Art (No.105) and Powerhouse Museum (No.60) are wonderful examples of how to make museums interesting, engaging and even fun (it does cost a few dollars to get into the Powerhouse, so we have cheated a bit with this entry, but it is well worth it).

Free Movies

There are currently free movies being shown at Sydney Olympic Park every last Sunday of each month. You should find this, and other free events and festivals from the links under "Free Sydney Events and Festivals"

The Rocks - The Rocks Discovery Museum

The Rocks is the oldest section, of the oldest city, in Australia. It has some wonderful heritage buildings to admire, intriguing history and cobblestone lanes and interesting streets to explore. There are often street markets, buskers and other "goings on". You can also enjoy free admission to the Rocks Discovery Museum, which combines interactive technology with archaeological artefacts found in the Rocks area.

The Rocks - Sydney Visitor Centre

The tourist information office, the Sydney Visitor Centre, provides loads of free information about the Rocks and Sydney. The Sydney Visitor Centre is located in the The Rocks Centre, on the corner of Argyle and Playfair streets.

The Rocks - Listed at No. 78

Sydney Observatory

Australia's oldest observatory is free to get into during the day to see it's old telescopes, pictures and other artifacts. There are also some great Sydney Harbour views from the site. You do have to pay to see the 3D space theatre and main telescope.

Sydney Observatory - Listed at 114

Sydney Olympic Park

Sydney Olympic Park, site of the 2000 Olympic Games, also includes a 40 hectare park which is ideal for a walk or bike ride and a great space to enjoy a picnic.

Customs House

You can enjoy one of Sydney's finest heritage buildings for free. Customs House features a grand atrium, impressive Helix staircase, striking contemporary interiors, and a giant City Model showcased under the glass of the ground floor. Explore the exhibitions, enjoy events or just read a newspaper and browse the net. Customs House is located at Circular Quay next to trains, buses and ferries is open till late seven days a week.

Customs House (listed at No. 106)

See the Sights - Mrs Macquaries Point, Milsons Point, South Head and North Head

There is no charge for looking. It doesn't cost a cent to look and photograph Sydney's great Icons. For fabulous Sydney Harbour views, visit Mrs Macquaries Point and South Head on the south side of Sydney Harbour and North Head and Milsons Point on the North Shore.

Sydney100 Travel Guide

Whilst we can't give the Travel Guide away, we can guarantee that you will save at least as much as it costs to buy the book. So it's kinda is free..sort of.

Sydney100 Travel Guide

Free Sydney Events and Festivals

Many of Sydney's top events and festivals are free, or partially free, to get into. For example, Sculptures By the Sea at Bondi Beach is an absolute must and costs nothing.

Sydney Fireworks

It's amazing when you think about it, the Sydney Fireworks are said to be one of the greatest shows on the planet, yet it doesn't cost anything to see it. New Years Eve and Australia Day (26th January) are key dates but Sydney is often on the lookout for an excuse to fire a few rockets over Sydney Harbour. Check out the events pages in case there is anything pending.

Current and forthcoming Sydney Events and Festivals

For current and forthcoming top Sydney events consult What's on in Sydney and for Sydney festivals check out Sydney Festivals.

Sydney Festival

There are festivals, and then there is the Sydney Festival. Sydney is a great place to be at any time of year, but in summer, it shines. This is due, in part, to the Sydney Festival which energizes Sydney into a state of heightened delight. Many of the Sydney Festival events are free, and the free opening night is almost guaranteed to be a night to remember.

Sydney Festival

Sydney Attractions Pass

A pass to Sydney's top attractions, can be, well, quite attractive when you add up all the savings. Follow the link below for Sydney's best attractions pass.

Sydney Attractions Pass

Top 100 things to do in Sydney

We haven't included all of the free things to do in Sydney on the Sydney top 100 list. There are also a number of low cost options that don't quite qualify as free (because they aren't!), for instance, climbing the Sydney Harbour Pylon. So if you are looking for more, please click below:

Top 100 things to do in Sydney