100 free things to do in Sydney

Iconic harbour sights

1. Take a walk around the world famous Sydney Opera House.
2. Admire Sydney’s icon, the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge.
3. Walk across the Harbour Bridge and wave to the climbers above you.
4. Snap the ultimate Opera House photo from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
5. Watch the ferries arrive and depart from Circular Quay (you can also do this from the YHA Sydney Harbour rooftop!)
6. Meander under the eaves of the Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point – especially pretty in the evening.
7. Catch the sunset at Observatory Hill.
8. Watch the sun go down with a picnic and a glass of wine at Blues Point or Balls Head Reserve.
9. Head to Dudley Page Reserve for some stunning views of the city.
10. Walk to the entrance of the Harbour at The Gap/Watsons Bay, and look back at Sydney's skyline.
11. Walk around Elizabeth Bay and the marina, which is especially serene for sunset or early evening.
12. Play spot-the-celebrity at Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo.
13. Check out iconic Luna Park, which is free to enter (though most attractions will cost you).

Free walks and walking tours

14. Join one of Sydney's free walking tours, with I'm Free or Best Free Tours Sydney.
15. Traverse the stunning cliff top walk from Coogee to Bondi – especially during Sculpture by the Sea.
16. Head into bush and enjoy the awesome Spit Bridge to Manly walk.
17. Cut a northerly swathe through the bush of Sydney with a segment of the Great North Walk.
18. Follow the Writers Walk along Circular Quay.
19. Lose yourself in the atmospheric laneways of The Rocks.
20. Discover Sydney’s heritage with a free, self-guided historical walking tour.
21. Stroll down historic Macquarie Street and admire the Georgian and Victorian architecture.
22. Discover the bohemian suburb of Glebe and its surrounds on foot.
23. Explore Newtown's iconic King Street and nearby laneways, and look out for street art lining the buildings.
24. Stroll the expansive campus and Hogwarts-esque lawns of Sydney University.
25. Discover Parramatta with the Harris Park Heritage Trail.
26. Discover industrial history at the Brickpit Ring Walk, Olympic Park.
27. Walk along the bustling Parramatta River at Blaxland Riverside Park.
28. If you have access to a bike, ride the Cooks River Cycleway, one of many great cycling routes in Sydney.

Beaches and coast

29. See every kind of person imaginable congregate at the world famous Bondi Beach.
30. Play some beach volleyball at Manly Beach – extra points if you make new friends.
31. Take your snorkel and get acquainted with the fish at Clovelly.
32. Bring out your inner soap star at iconic Palm Beach, site of Home and Away.
33. Let it all hang out at Lady Bay, Sydney’s only nudist beach.
34. Go for a swim or body surf at Manly Beach.
35. Look out for whales from the cliffs at Dover Heights (during winter).
36. Visit the Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia’s first and longest-operating lighthouse site.

Parks, gardens and nature

37. Take a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Garden.
38. See and hear thousands of fruit bats at dusk in the Botanic Garden, or Moore Park.
39. Stroll along the pretty Avenue of Figs in Hyde Park, and keep your eyes out for possums.
40. Challenge the locals to a game of chess on the giant board in Hyde Park.
41. Explore the huge parklands and gardens at Centennial Park.
42. Sizzle up a feast with the free electric BBQs in Centennial Park.
43. Marvel at the old brickwork stacks and take in the views from the hill at Sydney Park (also, pat a dog!).
44. Stroll around the Olympic Park precinct (where the 2000 Olympic Games were held).
45. Spot the bird life amongst the mangroves at Bicentennial Park, Homebush.
46. Explore and picnic in the vast Royal National Park (free if you don't bring a car in).
47. Discover tranquil Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, where YHA Pittwater Eco is situated.
48. Take a day trip west of Sydney to the immense and beautiful Blue Mountains.

Museums and galleries

49. Discover the best of science and culture (and dinosaurs) at the Australian Museum.
50. Explore Sydney’s scientific side with one of the free exhibits at the Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta (opening November 2026).
51. See real naval ships, including a Cold War submarine and tall ship at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
52. Discover amazing contemporary Aboriginal art and more at the Art Gallery of NSW.
53. Visit the studio of Brett Whiteley, one of Sydney’s most famous artists.
54. Visit the White Rabbit Gallery, a fascinating private collection of mostly Chinese art.
55. See up and coming artists at SOHO Galleries.
56. See work by one of Australia’s most popular modern artists at the Ken Done Gallery.
57. Enjoy some art on the way to the beach at Manly Art Gallery and Museum.
58. Check out the Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University, home of the Nicholson Collection and much more.
59. See the largest collection of ancient artefacts in Australia, the Nicholson Collection.
60. Check out one of the exhibitions at the State Library of NSW.
61. Discover all you gotta know about Australia’s bank notes at the Reserve Bank of Australia Museum.
62. Cover the city in a stride at the huge scale model of Sydney at Customs House.
63. ... and while you're there, check out one of the other free exhibitions and events at Customs House.

History and heritage

64. See ancient Aboriginal engravings in the rocks at Dobroyd Head.
65. Learn about Sydney’s history at the Rocks Discovery Museum, full of interactive exhibits and displays.
66. Drop in to Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest residential building in Sydney.
67. Visit Cockatoo Island by ferry and explore its unique blend of industrial and convict history.
68. See Government House, where the colony’s early overlords went about their business.
69. Visit The Mint, where Australia’s first coins were produced.
70. Visit Sydney Town Hall, the most ornate late 19th century civic building in Australia.
71. See the elegant and impressive Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.
72. Visit the beautiful and historic St Mary’s Cathedral.
73. Visit St James’ Church, the oldest in Sydney.
74. Discover early history at St Stephen’s Church and Cemetery in the hip heart of Newtown.
75. See the tomb of Australia’s first saint at Mary MacKillop Place.
76. Explore the magnificent funerary memorials at Rookwood Necropolis.
77. See graves with a view at the windswept Waverley Cemetery.
78. Experience some military history at Newington Armory.
79. Discover how the kids lived at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, North Ryde.

Markets and shopping

80. Browse the art and craft stalls at Paddington Markets.
81. Take a Saturday stroll around the quirky Glebe Markets.
82. Mingle with the crowds at Kirribilli Markets.
83. Try a free tasting of all sorts of goodies at the Eveleigh Carriageworks Farmers' Market.
84. Stroll around the fascinating Fish Markets, the second largest in the world.
85. Stop in at the QVB, one of the most beautiful shopping centres in the world.
86. Window shop till you drop at Bondi Junction shopping mall.
87. Browse the late night bookshop Berkelouw Books in Paddington on Oxford Street.

Festivals, culture and neighbourhoods

88. See the city light up with neon colour during the Vivid festival each winter.
89. Attend one of the Sydney Festival's many free events.
90. Enjoy a free show with the street performers at Circular Quay.
91. Head to the vibrant Darling Harbour and Darling Square precincts. There’s always something going on!
92. Explore Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ history and culture at Qtopia, which is free to visit every Sunday. Afterwards, discover queer and alternative culture on Oxford Street and its surrounding neighbourhoods – especially during Mardi Gras!
93. Take a photo with the street art at Woolloomooloo.
94. Visit the cultural melting pot of Lakemba, especially during Ramadan for the epic night markets.
95. Transport yourself to Asia in Cabramatta, Sydney’s “Little Vietnam”.

Free extras when you stay at YHA

96. Stop by YHA Sydney Harbour for a 1-hour tour of The Big Dig Archaeology site.
97. Have a drink and watch the city lights spark to life on the rooftop at YHA Sydney Harbour.
98. Relax in the pool or watch a movie during your stay at YHA Sydney Central.
99. Cook up a storm with food from the free food shelves at your YHA.
100. Socialise and make new friends with people from all over the world during your stay.