Urban and rugged, adventurous and chic, Sydney is a city that has it all. Its position as a booming global destination gives it a reputation for expensive taste, but the truth is that its down-to-earth design gives families plenty of opportunities to explore for free. Even some of Sydney's most iconic features don't cost a cent. So get out and feel the pulse of the city, without sinking into the red.
Attractions
Go for a stroll across the iconic
Sydney Harbour Bridge, which joins the north and south parts of the harbor. One of the country's most recognizable structures, the bridge was the "epitome of modern bridge design and engineering ingenuity" at the time of its completion in 1932. But this innovation didn't come without a cost: Sixteen workers died during its eight-year construction. Locals refer to it as the Coathanger.
Just west of downtown,
Darling Harbour was Sydney's first modern multi-use complex. Today you can ramble this pedestrian area to get an eyeful of city sights, like the harbor and skyline, as well as all kinds of family-friendly activities and attractions, including a theater with the world's largest IMAX screen.
Seeing a show at the
Sydney Opera House might cost a pretty penny, but from outside the complex is free to explore. Walk along Circular Quay and up the Opera House steps for plenty of photographic opportunities and a close-up look at one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.
Venture away from the harbor to ogle the goods at
Paddy's Markets, a Sydney institution since 1834. Here you'll find an expansive array of vendors that sell everything from T-shirts to produce to handmade jewelry. The souvenirs might be a bit on the tacky side, but you'll discover plenty of intriguing items in these lively markets. With two locations in the city, you could spend days wandering the stalls. Open on weekends (Haymarket location also open on Thursdays).
Take a break from the city and check out some of Sydney's
beaches. Almost all are free, and they range from hopping chic hot spots to isolated escapes. For a taste of the Sydney high life, head to
Bondi Beach, the city's most famous shoreline. From there, follow the Bondi to Bronte footpath, which will take you to Tamarama Beach (or "Glamarama" to locals). Keep your eyes peeled along the way for glimpses of some of Sydney's most expensive real estate. The
Daily Telegraph has a
comprehensive guide to all of Sydney's beaches.
Outdoors
Take in the 74-acre
Royal Botanical Gardens—the oldest scientific institution in the country—with a free guided tour (reservations recommended). The gardens feature native and exotic plants, with an emphasis on Aboriginal heritage. Don't forget to look up once in a while to see the gardens' most curious residents, the 200,000 giant fruit bats that make the grounds their home. Also known as flying foxes because of their size (they can have a three-foot wingspan), the bats are a fascinating example of Sydney's mix of wild and urban. Wait until sunset to watch them take off over the harbor.
Get an eyeful of Olympic history at
Sydney Olympic Park, home of the 2000 Olympic Games and 2003 Rugby World Cup. Still host to major sporting events today, the park is crisscrossed with walking and biking trails that meander through picnic areas, sculptures, fountains, and educational areas. If you're lucky, you'll catch one of the many free activities the park hosts for kids, including family movie nights in January and the
Sports Star Clinic.
You can see almost all of Sydney Harbour's major landmarks (and more) on the
Sydney Harbour Walk, a 16-mile footpath with 28 miles of optional loops that will take you through the harbor's most striking scenery and attractions. This extensive route takes 8 to 10 hours traveling solely on foot, but it's also easy to combine the footpath with public transportation to construct your own itinerary, hitting the places you want to see most.
For panoramic views of the city, go on a stroll through the
Centennial Parklands. These historic parks, established in the late 1800s, are a great place to relax or to let out some energy on a bike ride. Footpaths will take you past amphitheaters, gardens, gazebos, and fountains, all with a city backdrop. The parks' roads are closed to cars on the last Sunday of every month, to allow more freedom for pedestrians.
Culture
Kids will love the fleet of historic boats at the wharf of the
National Maritime Museum, where the free exhibits feature everything from local Aboriginal history to the rise of the Australian Navy. Youngsters might especially enjoy the United States of America Gallery, where they can learn about American trade relations from an Australian perspective. Don't forget to take a peek at the Cape Bowling Green lighthouse. On Sundays and school holidays the museum also has free family-friendly activities, such as storytelling, craft workshops, and puzzles.
Check out free films, performances, workshops, and roughly 29,000 works of art at the
Art Gallery of NSW. There is no charge to view the museum's permanent collection, and it also offers complimentary guided tours. The gallery also has numerous
kids' activities, including tours by character guides like Ngununy, the Cheeky Fruit Bat, and workshops on drawing cartoons.
Go back in time at
The Rocks Discovery Museum, which features interactive exhibits on The Rocks, one of Sydney's most important heritage areas, from pre-colonial times to the present. Housed in an 1850s warehouse, the museum tells the story of the colonists, whalers, and sailors that made the area their home when the landscape was still rugged and wild, as well as the push for preservation in modern times.
Take in a mix of cultural heritage and sweeping modern design at the
Customs House, originally built in 1845 and once the gateway for all trade in Australia. It is said to rest on the site where the native Aborigines stood and watched the First Fleet land, bringing with it the English colonists who established the city. Today the building houses chic lounges, cafés, libraries, and multimedia displays, with a bold interior decor. Housed under the glass floor is a detailed model of the city.
The
Government House provides a lesson in history, art, and contemporary government. Once the governor of Australia's private residence, the home was opened to the public in 1996 as a "working State House," which means it is open for government and community events and public tours. In addition, the home contains a valuable collection of art and furniture by premier Australian artists, dating to the country's founding. Check the website before visiting, as the house is sometimes closed for important state functions.
Events
In January (the middle of summer), scope out the
Sydney Festival,"the most prestigious arts and cultural festival in Australia." It's chock full of
free activities, including Play Me, I'm Yours, a program that places 30 pianos at different sites around the city, ready for passersby to strike a tune or just mess around. Also check out Kids in the Garden, where children can meet performance and media artists and learn their tricks. Take a look at the festival website to see the exhaustive list of free attractions.
Bar Me, in the city's exuberant Kings Cross district, has
Open Mikenights twice a month, with local artists playing Latin music and jazz. If you're lucky, you might see a big-name professional artist pop in for a jam session. Check the bar's website for the schedule.
For a midday pause, the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney offers the
Lunchbreak Series, a yearly program of 30-minute concerts by the school's best students. Past concerts have featured chamber and world music. Entrance is by donation.
Food/Drink
For food deals, check out the
Eatability dining guide, which contains a listing of Sydney restaurants, reviews, current discounts, ratings, and basically anything you'd want to know about the Sydney dining scene. Customers who mention Eatability may also get special discounts.
