Cheap Things to Do in Sydney: 40 Ideas Under $50

Sydney has a reputation for being expensive and it has earned it. But I was born here and I have spent fifteen years writing about this city, and I can tell you that a lot of the best of it costs nothing at all. Everything on this list is under $50. Twenty one of the forty are free. I have done every one of them myself, and the prices below were checked in July 2026.

If you are after cheap activities in Sydney for a specific date, check our What’s On guide first, because free events change every month.

Quick picks

• If you have no money at all: Bondi to Coogee walk, Hyde Park Barracks, Wendy’s Secret Garden
• Out with friends: see the group section for six ideas that work for four or more people
• A cheap date: Mrs Macquaries Point at sunset, Spice Alley, the Glenmore rooftop
• With kids: Nielsen Park, The Rocks Discovery Museum, Manly ferry

Two ways to keep the total down while you are here:

• Carry water and snacks, because cafe prices near the harbour are steep
• Use the same card for all public transport so you hit the Opal daily cap

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Beaches, Pools and Sunrise Spots

Most of Sydney’s best swimming costs nothing, and the few places that charge are under $10.

Watch the Sunrise from a Beach

Starting your day with a Sydney sunrise is a magical experience that won’t cost you a cent. Here are my tried-and-tested spots:

Mahon Pool near Maroubra: Less crowded than Bondi, with dramatic rock formations. The local swim club meets here early morning, they’re always happy to chat with visitors.

Turimetta Beach (Northern Beaches): My secret spot for photographers. The rock platform creates beautiful reflections at low tide.

Bondi Beach: Arrive by 5.30am in summer (7am in winter). The Icebergs pool makes a great foreground for photos. For a budget breakfast after, try Speedos Cafe rather than the pricier Icebergs.

Mahon Pool at Maroubra is quieter, and the local swim club that meets there early is happy to talk to visitors.

Local tip: Skip Icebergs for breakfast afterwards and walk up to Speedos Cafe instead. Same view, half the bill.

Cost: Free
Where: Turimetta Beach, Bondi Beach or Mahon Pool
When: From about 5.30am in summer, 7am in winter

Ride the Ferry to Manly

The 30 minute trip from Circular Quay is the cheapest harbour cruise in Sydney. Sit on the port side leaving the city and starboard coming back for the best views. At the other end you get one of Sydney’s ocean beaches thrown in. See our Manly guide for more ideas.

Local tip: Skip the food on the Corso and walk up to Manly Fish Market on Wentworth Street for fish and chips.

Cost: $8.04 with Opal card
Where: Circular Quay
When: 6am to midnight (first ferry 6:20am from Manly, last ferry 11:45pm from Circular Quay)

Swim at Wylie’s Baths

An ocean pool carved into the cliffs at Coogee, Wylie’s Baths opened in 1907. The wooden decks are perfect for sunbathing, and the views stretch along the coastline to Wedding Cake Island. McIver’s Ladies Baths next door is the last women’s-only seawater pool in Australia.

Local tip: Come at sunrise for the light on the water, and keep an eye out for dolphins in the bay.

Cost: $6.50
Where: Neptune Street, Coogee
When: 7am to 7pm in summer, 7am to 5pm in winter

Spend a Day at Nielsen Park

Shark Beach Nielsen Park sits inside Sydney Harbour National Park, so you get calm water, shade from the fig trees and no surf to worry about with small children.

The kiosk and beach house reopened after a long renovation and now does coffee and meals with a harbour view.

Local tip: Walk the Hermitage Foreshore track before or after your swim. It is one of the better harbour walks and it starts nearby.

Cost: Free (parking fees apply) or take the bus which stops nearby
Where: Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse
Opening hours: Park open daily sunrise to sunset

Walk from Bondi to Coogee

Six kilometres of clifftop path takes you past five beaches and four ocean pools. You can stop and swim at any of them, and there are cafes at every beach if you want a break.

Each beach has its own character. Stop at Bronte for a swim in the historic ocean pool, or grab a coffee at the beachside cafes. The walk takes about 2 hours without stops, but allow longer to enjoy the beaches.

Local tip: Start at Coogee end early morning so you can breakfast in Bondi. The Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay makes a great alternative if you want to escape the crowds.

Cost: Free
Where: Start at either Bondi or Coogee Beach
Time: Allow 2-3 hours with stops

Swim at Marrinawi Cove

Barangaroo Reserve has a small swimming spot cut into the harbour edge, ten minutes’ walk from Wynyard. There is no surf and no entry fee, and it is one of the few places in the city centre where you can get in the water.

Local tip: Stay on for sunset. Stargazer Lawn above the cove faces west across the harbour and there is nothing to block the view.

Museums and Galleries

Discover Sydney’s best free museums and art galleries, where industrial buildings and heritage mansions have been transformed into world-class cultural spaces. From contemporary Chinese art in a former sock factory to Aboriginal exhibits in historic sandstone buildings, here’s where to experience Sydney’s rich culture without spending a cent.

Art Gallery of NSW

Free entry, a strong Australian collection and one of the largest holdings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the country. The free guided tour of that collection runs daily at 11am and is worth planning around. The building sits above Woolloomooloo Bay, so the walk in from the Domain is half the pleasure.

Local tip: Wednesday evenings the gallery stays open late for Art After Hours, with free talks, music and films. Get there early for a seat.

Cost: Free
Where: Art Gallery Road, Sydney
When: 10am to 5pm daily, Wednesdays until 9pm

White Rabbit Gallery

Four floors of contemporary Chinese art in a former Rolls Royce depot, in Chippendale. The collection is one of the largest of its kind anywhere and it changes twice a year, with the gallery closing briefly between shows. Check before you go.

The ground level teahouse offers a selection of Chinese and Taiwanese teas along with handmade dumplings. Take the free guided tour at 11am, 1pm or 3pm to learn the stories behind the artworks.

Cost: Free
Where: 30 Balfour St, Chippendale
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (closed for periods between exhibitions)

The Rocks Discovery Museum

Hidden in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, this small but fascinating museum brings The Rocks’ history to life. Four floors of interactive exhibits trace the area’s journey from Aboriginal settlement to colonial times to the present day.

The museum is particularly good with kids, they can handle old artefacts, and use touch screens to explore stories of convicts, sailors and local characters who once called The Rocks home. Don’t miss the archaeological collection showing items uncovered during local digs.

Local tip: Come on a weekend and pair it with The Rocks Markets, which are two minutes away.

Cost: Free
Where: Kendall Lane, The Rocks
When: 10am to 5pm daily (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)

State Library of NSW

Worth going in even if libraries are not usually your thing. The Mitchell Reading Room has a glass dome and the free exhibitions rotate through rare books and documents from the collection.

The Picture Gallery holds significant colonial paintings.

Local tip: Macquarie Street outside is a good self guided history walk if you have another hour. Head up to the roof for drinks and nibbles at Library Bar.

Cost: Free
Where: Macquarie Street, Sydney
When: Reading rooms Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, weekends 10am to 5pm. Exhibition galleries and shop close 5pm daily

Cheap Days Out with Friends

Most of this list works just as well for a group, but these are the ones I would pick for four or more people.

• Balmain pubs – 19 heritage pubs in walking distance of each other
• Spice Alley – order from different vendors and share a table, most dishes $10 to $15
• Inner west street art walk – free, and there are plenty of good eats along the way
• Bondi to Coogee walk – stop and swim at any of five beaches
• Chinatown food courts – plenty of seating and everyone orders what they wan

Tours and Meeting Locals

Two of these three cost nothing, and the third is the only one on this list that needs booking well ahead.

Meet a Local with Sydney Greeters

By far, one of the best cheap things to do in Sydney is meet up with a local. I am one of the founders of the Global Greeter organisation in Sydney. Sydney Greeters spend a few hours with visitors, showing them around their favourite parts of the city.

In this photo, Alice and Alex from the UK and I spent a few hours checking out street art and craft beer. Cheers, guys, if you are reading.

Local tip: Make sure you book your greet a few weeks before you plan to arrive, and for the best chance of getting a match, try to be flexible with your availability. There are over 40 volunteers keen to show you their city.

Cost: Free
Where: Meeting point arranged with your greeter
When: Complete the request form on the International Greeter site well before you arrive

Join a Free Walking Tour

I’m Free Walking Tours run up to three tours a day, two covering the city centre and one evening tour through The Rocks. They are free to join, though the guides work for tips and $10 a person is about standard. You get two to three hours and a solid introduction to how Sydney was put together.

Local tip: Do the tour on your first morning. Everything else you see that week makes more sense afterwards.

Cost: Free, $10 a person tip is usual
Where: Meet at Town Hall Square
When: 10.30am or 6pm daily for the Rocks walk

Barangaroo Aboriginal Cultural Tour

The Aboriginal Cultural Tour shares stories of the Gadigal people and teaches visitors about native plants used for food and medicine. Book ahead as these sell out. This is the one item on this list I have not done yet, but it is next on my list.

Local tip: Pack your swimmers, there’s a harbourside swimming spot at Marrinawi Cove a few minutes away.

Cost: $36.30 adult, $22 concession, $16.50 child 17 and under
Where: Meet at Munn Street, Barangaroo Reserve
When: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am, 90 minutes

Walks, Views and Photo Spots

From free clifftop vantage points to historic landmarks, Sydney offers incredible views at every budget. I’ll share my favourite spots to photograph the harbour, including both local lookouts and the paid viewpoints that are worth your money.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

This heritage viewing point combines Sydney’s colonial history with postcard worthy views. The sandstone bench, carved by convicts in 1810 for the Governor’s wife, sits at the tip of a peninsula jutting into the harbour. Elizabeth Macquarie is said to have sat here looking out to sea for boats bringing new life to the colony.

It’s excellent at sunrise, but it comes alive at sunset. Get here at golden hour and hang around for an hour or two. BYO picnic for a romantic date.

Local tip: Morning light illuminates the Opera House’s sails perfectly, while after-dark views capture the city’s reflection in the harbour.

Cost: Free
Where: Mrs Macquaries Road, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens
When: 24 hours
Getting there: Walk from Circular Quay through the Botanic Gardens, or from the Art Gallery of NSW

Sydney Harbour Bridge Museum

For harbour views without the Bridge Climb price tag, the southeastern Pylon offers an equally impressive perspective. Three museum levels detail the bridge’s construction through photographs, videos and artefacts. Workers’ stories bring to life the eight-year build that employed 1,400 people and used six million rivets. The open-air viewing platform gives you clear views over Circular Quay, the eastern suburbs and down the harbour.

• Allow about an hour for the visit and museum
• Best time: early morning for clearest harbour views
• Entry via the eastern pylon on the Harbour Bridge walkway
• Climb 200 stairs to the top, no lift available, and the site is not accessible

Cost: From $39.95 adult
Where: Bridge Stairs, Cumberland Street, The Rocks
When: 10am to 5pm daily (closed Christmas Day)

Observatory Hill

This historic hilltop offers a different perspective of Sydney, with sweeping views of the Harbour Bridge’s western face and Barangaroo. The grassy slopes make an ideal picnic spot, and the heritage-listed Observatory building adds character to the summit.

It’s well positioned for a rest stop before or after walking across the Harbour Bridge, or as part of a historic pub crawl through The Rocks.

Local tip: Photographers gather here at sunset to capture unique angles of the bridge away from the usual tourist spots.

Cost: Free (park access), Observatory museum $10
Where: Upper Fort Street, Millers Point
When: Park open 24/7, Observatory hours vary

Hornby Lighthouse

This heritage walk packs significant Australian history and spectacular views into an easy stroll. The track begins at Watsons Bay, passing Camp Cove, the first landing place of the First Fleet. It then winds past Lady Bay Beach (officially clothing optional, so don’t be surprised by nude swimmers if you venture down the stairs to the sand).

At the red and white striped lighthouse you get a true sense of Sydney Harbour’s massive entrance, with views across to North Head and out to the ocean.

Local tip: This is one of the best spots to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day

Cost: Free
Where: South Head Heritage Trail, Watsons Bay
When: National Park open sunrise to sunset
Getting there: Ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay, or bus 324 from City

Inner West Street Art Walk

These inner-western suburbs host hundreds of murals and are a must for anyone who is a fan of street art. There are also interesting shops and plenty of great eats to make this a brilliant way to spend a few hours. I have mapped some highlights here.

Local tip: Check out our list of 20 Fintan Magee murals in Sydney.

Cost: Free
Where: Newtown, Enmore and Marrickville
When: Anytime, daylight is best for photos

Historic Sites You Can Go Inside

Most visitors walk right past Sydney’s best historic buildings without realising what they’re missing. These places now let you really explore, from convict cells to grand Victorian mansions.

Hyde Park Barracks

If you’ve walked past this large sandstone box like building and wondered what’s inside, now’s the time to find out. They completed a $20 million renovation and it’s brilliant, nothing like the stuffy old museum it used to be. Pop on the headphones they give you and you’ll hear convicts’ voices telling their stories as you walk around.

The best bit? The ‘rat’s nest’ collection. Sydney’s rats were busy stealing and stashing things in the walls for 200 years, creating a treasure trove of everyday items from colonial Sydney. You can try lying in a convict hammock too, imagine that was your place to rest after 8 hours hard labour.

Local tip: The gift shop here has some unique souvenirs and an excellent range of children’s books on Sydney.

Cost: Free
Where: Queens Square, Macquarie Street
When: Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm

Elizabeth Farm

This is the house that started it all, built in 1793 and still standing. What makes it different from other historic houses? You can actually touch things here. Sit in the chairs, open the drawers, and wander through at your own pace. The wrap-around verandah changed Australian architecture forever, everyone copied it once they saw how well it worked in the heat.

The gardeners have kept the colonial plants alive, including some varieties you won’t find anywhere else in Sydney.

Local tip: Come between September and November to see (and smell) the heritage roses in bloom. Bring a camera, the morning light is perfect for photos.

Cost: Free
Where: 70 Alice Street, Rosehill
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Vaucluse House

One of Sydney’s best historic homes, and the volunteers make all the difference. They’ll walk with you through the rooms, sharing stories about the Wentworth family who lived here and pointing out easy-to-miss details. The kitchen is particularly good, all the original copper pots and cooking equipment are still there.

The gardens are worth a wander too. Walk down to the beach or check out the working kitchen garden where they still grow heritage vegetables. The tearoom in the old stables does a great Devonshire tea.

Local tip: Chat to the volunteers, they know fascinating stories about the house and family that you won’t find in the guidebooks.

Cost: Free
Where: Wentworth Road, Vaucluse – Take the 325 bus
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Susannah Place Museum

Want to see how regular Sydneysiders really lived? These four terrace houses tell the story of working families in The Rocks from 1844 to 1990. Each room shows a different era, from gas lighting to the first electric appliances. The old corner shop is still set up, complete with original shelving and 1950s products.

Local tip: Book your tour time in advance, groups are limited to 8 people and it’s card payment only.

Cost: Guided tour $20 adult, $16 concession, $10 child 5-15. Corner shop and welcome talk free
Where: 58-64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks
When: Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm

Hero of Waterloo

One of the city’s oldest pubs, the Hero of Waterloo is full of stories. Call in for a drink and ask the bar staff to fill you in on the famous underground cells. You can read up on the history of the pub before you visit.

Local tip: It’s a two minute walk from Observatory Hill, so pair the two.

Cost: Free to look, price of a drink otherwise
Where: 81 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point
When: Tuesday and Wednesday 11am to 11pm, Thursday to Saturday 11am to 11.30pm, Sunday 11am to 10pm. Closed Mondays

Q Station

Sydney’s former quarantine station offers affordable self-guided history walks through 150 years of maritime quarantine. Over a million migrants passed through here between 1835 and 1984, and many of their stories are preserved in the buildings and exhibits.

The site stretches across North Head with excellent harbour views. Look for inscriptions carved into the sandstone by past ‘inmates’, and check out the original hospital wards and shower blocks. Not all areas are haunted, despite what the ghost tour marketing suggests.

Local tip: Take the free shuttle from the entrance to the wharf precinct, it’s a long walk otherwise.

Cost: Self-guided history walk $25
Where: 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (last entry 3:30pm)

Parks and Gardens

There’s more to Sydney’s green spaces than the main tourist spots. These are my favourite peaceful gardens and waterfront parks, places where you can escape the crowds and enjoy harbour views.

Royal Botanic Garden

Ok so this one is not a secret. These gardens have been here since 1816, making them Australia’s oldest scientific institution. With a waterfront setting, 55 sculptures and 3,964 trees they are worth a couple of hours of wandering, and the real treasures are the hidden paths and secret gardens that most visitors miss.

Join the free guided walk at 10.30am. The volunteers know exactly which plants are flowering and where to spot the resident water dragons. Don’t miss The Calyx, where free exhibitions change twice a year, the Palace Rose Garden at its best in spring, and the Oriental Garden, a peaceful spot with harbour glimpses.

For a picnic, try the lawn east of the Opera House for harbour views, or Pioneer Garden if you want quiet.

Local tip: Enter through the gate near the State Library, then follow the path around Farm Cove for the best harbour views.

Cost: Free. Aboriginal Heritage Tours $35
Where: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
When: Garden open daily 7am to sunset, guided walk 10.30am to 12pm daily. Aboriginal Heritage Tours Thursday to Saturday, 1pm to 2pm

Wendy’s Secret Garden

Australian Artist Brett Whiteley’s widow turned this old railway land into something special. Wendy started planting here in 1992 after he passed away, and locals still find new paths and spots they’ve never seen before. The harbour views from here are fantastic, especially when the jacarandas are blooming.

Take the steps down from Clark Park. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the first sculptures peeking through the plants.

Local tip: Look for the bronze plaque telling Wendy’s story, and bring your morning coffee, there are plenty of quiet benches

Cost: Free
Where: Lavender Bay (enter via Clark Park)
When: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Right in the middle of the city, but you’d never know it once you’re inside. The waterfalls drown out the traffic noise, and there’s always a quiet spot to sit, even when Darling Harbour is packed.

Each section has been designed to work with the others, and the higher you climb, the more connections you notice.

Local tip: The teahouse does great dumplings, and you can feed the koi fish, buy the special food at the entrance.

Cost: $12 adult, $8 kids
Where: Pier Street, Darling Harbour
When: Daily 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm)

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

Built as a water reservoir in 1866, this sunken garden space is barely visible from the street. The original brick archways and iron columns of the waterworks remain, now wrapped in vines and surrounded by gardens.

The elevated walkway offers a view of the whole space, while the lower chamber garden provides shade on summer days.

Local tip: The morning light through the eastern arches makes great photos, especially on foggy mornings.

Cost: Free
Where: 251-255 Oxford Street, Paddington
When: 7am to 7pm daily

Cremorne Point Reserve

A 3km harbourside walk with clear views of the Opera House. The loop takes you past heritage mansions, bushland and the art deco MacCallum Pool, which is free to use.

One of the key features is the Lex and Ruby Graham Garden, created from a single elephant’s ear bulb that Lex found while fishing. Today this volunteer-maintained garden features native plants and secret paths. Look for the hand painted signs and mosaics as you explore.

Local tip: Take the path behind Cremorne Point Wharf, you’ll find Lex and Ruby’s Garden just past the apartment buildings.

Cost: Free
Where: Cremorne Point (ferry from Circular Quay)
When: Reserve open 24/7, MacCallum Pool 6am to 7pm

Cheap Eats and Markets

Sydney has a reputation for expensive restaurants, but the food courts, laneways and weekend markets are where you eat well for under $20.

Carriageworks Farmers Market

Housed in a restored 1880s railway workshop, this Saturday market is where Sydney’s top chefs shop for ingredients. Unlike tourist markets, this is a proper farmers’ market with seasonal produce, artisan bread, and some of Sydney’s best coffee.

Local tip: Come at 8am opening for the best produce, or around noon when some stallholders offer discounts.

Cost: Free entry
Where: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
When: Saturdays 8am to 1pm

Flour and Stone

This Woolloomooloo bakery has earned a cult following for their lamingtons – a traditional Australian cake that’s anything but traditional here. Their version soaks the sponge in panna cotta before coating it in chocolate and coconut.

Local tip: Arrive early for lamingtons to avoid disappointment, they often sell out by mid-morning

Cost: Lamingtons $12.50, most pastries around $10
Where: 53 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo – a short walk from St Mary’s Cathedral
When: Monday–Saturday from 7am; Sundays from 8am

Sydney Fish Market

Now operating from its waterfront facility on Blackwattle Bay, the largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere is worth visiting even if you’re not buying seafood. Watch the morning action on an official guided tour, grab fresh sushi or oysters for breakfast, or eat by the water at one of the precinct’s restaurants and cafes.

Local tip: The $15 sashimi plates from the smaller vendors are often better value than the big shops

Cost: Free entry, seafood from $10
Where: 1 Bridge Road, Glebe (Blackwattle Bay precinct)
When: Daily 7am to 10pm. Retail and dining hours vary, wholesale auctions from 5.30am via pre-booked guided tour

Spice Alley

Hidden behind Kensington Street, this laneway of hawker-style eateries serves some of Sydney’s best Asian street food. Order from different vendors and share a table under the red lanterns.

Local tip: The Malaysian laksa at Alex Lee Kitchen is the closest you’ll get to Kuala Lumpur without leaving Sydney

Cost: Most dishes $10-15
Where: Kensington Street, Chippendale
When: Daily 11am to 9pm

Chinatown Food Courts

Far from the dingy food courts of old, the two big Chinatown food halls are clean and have plenty of seating. The top-floor court at the Sussex Centre is still running strong, with long-standing favourites including Happy Chef and its famous laksa. Market City has expanded. Level 1 has Taiwanese, Thai and noodle stalls, while Level 3 (the 1909 Dining Precinct) is a modern sit-down dining hall.

Two more worth walking to while you’re in the area. Emperor’s Garden Cake Bakery on Hay Street is the hole-in-the-wall window where a queue forms for hot custard-filled Emperor Puffs. Mother Chu’s Taiwanese Gourmet does crispy scallion egg pancakes, fried dough sticks and glutinous rice rolls.

Local tip: If you want to learn more about Chinatown and Sydney’s Chinese community, book a tour with Local Sauce.

Cost: Most dishes $10-17
Where: Sussex Centre, 401 Sussex Street, and Market City, Haymarket
When: varies with each stall but approx 11am-8pm

Glebe and Rozelle Markets

Each weekend, schools and church grounds across Sydney turn into markets where you can grab a bargain on a second-hand book or pre-loved piece of clothing.

Glebe and Rozelle are both short bus rides from the city centre. If you are looking for new gifts, try Paddington or Bondi, although these are more expensive they have a great range of local small businesses.

Cost: Free entry
When: Glebe Saturdays, 10-4pm, Rozelle Saturdays 9am-3pm
Where: Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Road, and Rozelle Public School, 663 Darling Street

Cheap Day Trips

Take the Train to the Blue Mountains

If you have the cash, a tour is an excellent way to see the Blue Mountains and there are several good operators. But if you are on a budget you can take the train and do it yourself for as little as $9.65 return Friday to Sunday, or $7.46 each way off-peak on weekdays and $10.66 during peak.

Local tip: Check my guides on how to choose the best Blue Mountains tours if you want someone else to worry about the itinerary, or how to visit the Blue Mountains on your own.

Cost: From $9.65 return
Where: Katoomba, from Central Station
When: Around 2 hours each way, trains roughly hourly

Bundeena Ferry

One of Sydney’s last wooden ferry services takes you across Port Hacking to the artist community of Bundeena. The 20-minute trip offers views of Royal National Park’s sandstone cliffs and often includes dolphin sightings.

The ferry drops you at Bundeena where you can explore Aboriginal rock art sites, visit local artists’ studios (open first Sunday of each month), or start the Royal National Park coastal track.

Local tip: Sit on the right side leaving Cronulla for the best views of the cliffs.

Cost: $8.50 each way
Where: Cronulla Public Wharf, Tonkin Street
When: Hourly services from 7am to 7pm (weather dependent)

Drinks and Evenings Out

Rooftop of the Glenmore

The Glenmore has been part of The Rocks since 1921, and the rooftop is hard to beat for views over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The roof retracts so you can be up there in any weather.

Local tip: Monday is your best bet for keeping costs down, steaks are on all day. Check their What’s On page for the full run of weekly deals.

Cost: beers from $9.50, wine from $12
Where: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
When: 11am till midnight

Balmain Pubs

Balmain sits on the western side of Sydney Harbour and is a good spot to see Sydney’s historic architecture. While you are there, see how many of the 19 remaining pubs you can visit. See them all on this map.

Local tip: The Exchange is one of my favourites. The London on Darling Street is also on my list, its wooden bar is beautiful.

Cost: Free to walk, price of a drink otherwise
Where: Darling Street, Balmain. Ferry from Circular Quay
When: Anytime

Free Fireworks at Darling Harbour

Along with the big NYE event, Darling Harbour puts on fireworks shows every Saturday night from April to October. Check their What’s On page for any upcoming shows.

Local tip: Check out my favourite places to eat in Darling Harbour before the show.

Cost: Free
Where: Darling Harbour
When: Saturday nights, April to October, times vary 8:30pm-9pm

Experience Sydney Your Way

Most of these spots are within walking distance of public transport and many connect via coastal or harbour walks. Don’t be afraid of riding Sydney’s buses and trains, public transport is the cheapest way to explore Sydney.

Remember Sydney’s weather is generally good year-round, so outdoor activities work in any season. Just avoid outdoor attractions during heavy rain and choose something off this list instead.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.

Feature image: view from South Head, Credit: Destination NSW