Are you wanting to explore Sydney city and have a lovely day out? Check out these budget-friendly and free things to do in Sydney.
Have fun!
Free Things to Do in Sydney
Check out the QVB (Queen Victoria Building) Shopping Centre
The Queen Victoria Building is a five-level, heritage-listed shopping centre located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD which opened in 1898.
Full of luxury brands and other stores, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Relax and soak up the sunshine on the iconic Bondi Beach
One of Australia’s most popular beaches, the Bondi Beach area is worth a visit. With shops, food and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, visiting Bondi Beach can make a great day out.
Look at the city sights and views
You can’t really go wrong with a slow city stroll, checking out the views and sights that Sydney has to offer.
Walk the Pyrmont Bridge
The Pyrmont Bridge can be reached by foot not too far from the QVB and Town Hall station if you enjoy walking.
You can walk the Pyrmont Bridge to the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Sydney Fish Market.
Stroll through the Sydney Wharf Marina
If you love views of city buildings and boats, you’ll love this walk. The wharf is very close to the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Pyrmont Bridge.
Australian National Maritime Museum
Australia’s museum of the sea. A free museum to add to your list, right across from the Pyrmont Bridge.
Vivid Sydney
Vivid is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, which transforms Sydney for 23 days and nights each year. Most of the light installations and displays are free, with ticketed events also.
Budget-Friendly Things To Do in Sydney
Regents Place- a modern arcade featuring a variety of hip Asian Restaurants
Regents Place shopping centre, is loaded with delicious Asian restaurants and has a very modern vibe.
An overall great place to go and check out for a bite to eat. I recommend trying the tiramisu latte or the matchamisu latte from Dedy’s Cafe.
Additionally, a more budget-friendly idea would be to grab a warm drink from this machine located in the Regents Place arcade.
Catch the light rail around the city
Would you like a fun way to travel through the city? Catch the light rail.
Linking Central Station with Sydney’s inner west, Sydney Light Rail delivers you quickly and easily to the bustling areas of Chinatown and Darling Harbour, through to the inner west suburban villages of Pyrmont, Glebe, Rozelle and Lilyfield.
Eat fresh seafood from the Sydney Fish Market, Pyrmont
You can’t get much more fresh seafood than this! If you’re a seafood lover, definitely head down to Pyrmont and grab yourself a delicious meal at the Sydney Fish Market. Not only can you buy fresh seafood to take with you home, but you can also buy a meal from many of the food stores/restaurants here.
If you go to the Sydney Fish Market in the early afternoons, you can catch some end-of-day restaurant specials.
Try a Fitness class
It’s a no-brainer that moving your body is a sure way to boost your happiness and improve your mood.
Using the MindBody App or Classpass, you can find local classes near you. Additionally, MindBody has many intro offers available.
Take a Ferry ride from Circular Quay
The views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you take the ferry ride are spectacular. I recommend going around sunset time for an extra special sunset experience.
The ferry from Circular Quay to Rose Bay will cost you only around $3-$5.
Catch a food or drink happy hour special all around the city
In the early evenings, many food places in Sydney tend to have an end-of-day special. Grab a delicious meal for less! And don’t forget to look out for afternoon happy hour specials all around the city.
Try out your luck at Million Life
Who doesn’t like winning? Try and win a prize from Million Life in many locations around Sydney including George Street near Town Hall station and Dixon Street near Chinatown. Not only can it be a fun way to spend $5, but also the aesthetics are super cute!
Explore the many shops that Sydney has to offer
Even if it’s just window shopping and sipping on some delicious coffee as you browse the shops, Sydney has a plethora of shopping centres to offer you.
I hope this guide has given you nice ideas to enjoy a day out in Sydney with free and budget-friendly things to do.
Have fun exploring the beautiful Sydney, Australia!
Where are your favourite spots to go in Sydney? Or is this your first time in Sydney? Comment below.
If you have any questions, blog post requests or kind comments please comment them below.
Author: Lana
Welcome! Lana is the founder of Living Her Way. She's passionate about all things Travel and Self-Empowerment. Lana's mission is to inspire you to live a more happy and fulfilling life your way each day.
This is perfect for backpackers like me on a budget! Thank you for all the ideas. (Ps I NEED to try that tiramisu latte next time I’m in Sydney!)
I miss Sydney so much, I can’t wait to go back and try some of these budget-friendly activities! Thanks for sharing!
Sydney is definitely an awesome city to do exciting things. Got to visit one day exclusively for its food variety.
Walking around and exploring the city is always a great way to get to know the city (and budget friendly). I like the fitness app recommendation–it would be great if they have outdoor yoga classes in their parks or on the beach.
We have never been to Australia and seeing these pictures makes me want to jump on a plane right now and go! I love your photo from the ferry at dusk.
What a beautiful place Sydney is! I’d love to visit some day and take a ferry ride at night, while drinking my Tiramisu Latte from Dedy’s Cafe 😍 thanks for sharing!
I never knew Sydney was such a busy and congested city. This looks like there are several options to consider doing still, even for a country gal like myself.
I just arrived in Australia a few days ago and am already looking forward to visiting Sydney. That bridge looks cool to walk on, and I will definitely check out the maritime museum. Thanks for the tips!
I grew up in Sydney but haven’t lived there for 20 years – she is looking different with those tall buildings. I think it is time to visit and shop till I drop at the Queen Victoria Building!
Sydney must be a wonderful city, and it’s good to know there are so many free and inexpensive things to do and places to see.
Sydney is a developed city that is very interesting to visit. I have a friend who has lived there for a long time. My husband and I plan to visit them in the near future.
If I ever have the chance to go back to Sydney I’ll definitely try some of your ideas! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve always wanted to go to Sydney and after reading this post, even more so! Wow. Great post!
Love these tips. Will definitely check these budget friendly places out on my next trip to Sydney.
Sydney is definitely on my bucket list and these are all great tips to keep in mind. Thank you so much for sharing!
So beautiful! Thanks for inspiring us!
I’ve never been to Sydney but reading your post and the images you share want me to ad it to my bucket list.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing.. I haven’t made it to Sydney yet but I’d like to in the future. Are there many parks in Sydney? You didn’t mention any so that leaves me wondering.
I want to visit Sydney so badly! The fish market sounds like my slice of heaven and I’m glad I don’t have to give up my beloved Asian food to visit. I can’t wait to experience Sydney for myself. Thanks for the inspiring post.
I’d love to take a Ferry ride from Circular Quay and enjoy the sunset around Sydney Harbor! Thanks for the inspiration!
Saving this for when I make my way to Sydney. That Tiramisu Latte from Dedy’s Cafe looks AMAZING!
Great advice.. I have heard about how amazing the fish market is..and a boat ride is always a must.
Only been to Sydney for a day now I want to go back and spend a lot more time there, what a beautiful city
I always wanted to travel to Australia. But the costs scare me. Good to know there are many free things to do in Sydney.
Sydney seems to be one of those places where you can always find something new and exciting to do.
Excellent list of things to do– pinned so I can revisit when we go there.
My husband’s family lives in Sydney, so we make it down there a year and a bit. It is one of my favorite cities. I can’t belive I haven’t made it to Regents Place before, and I 100% need to get that tiramisu latte. It looks amazing. What a great list of budget-friendly things to do in Sydney.