5 things to do in Sydney on a budget

Traveling while keeping to a tight budget can be daunting, especially when Sydney is famously one of the world’s most expensive cities. But with so much to offer visitors, this vibrant city boasts a wide range of affordable (and even free!) incredible Australian experiences to make your visit or study abroad trip a memorable one. Get started with some of our top tips for exploring Sydney on a budget.

1. Explore the free museums 

There are around 100 museums in Sydney, so no matter what your interests are, there’s an exhibition or gallery for you. Brilliantly, many of them are also free to visit. Start with The Australian Museum for collections celebrating science, culture, nature, and art. Next, head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales for a huge range of world-class free Indigenous, colonial, European, and Asian art exhibitions, as well as ticketed temporary exhibits. 

Check out Darling Harbour for the impressive Australian National Maritime Museum, where you can explore Australia’s connection with the sea, celebrate marine wildlife, and learn about historic ocean expeditions.

2. Hit the beaches and sea pools

Sydney’s beaches are the envy of the world, and accessing those golden sands costs zero bucks! Surfers, make sure to catch a wave at Bondi, Manly, Maroubra, Cronulla, Freshwater, and Bronte. You can also time your visit to coincide with one of the summer’s many surf competitions — hello, free entertainment. 

To spot marine life, snorkel through the clear waters at Shelly Beach and Gordon’s Bay. Balmoral and Shark (yes, it’s really called that) beaches are top sea swimming spots, and some beaches even have sea pools that are sheltered from the waves and fill up with seawater at high tide. Bronte Baths is free, an open-air dip in Bondi’s pool costs $9, and the historic Wylie’s Baths (which oozes heritage, by the way) can cost just $3 for students.

3. Relax in the gardens

Sydney’s green spaces are great spots to relax with friends, take a gentle stroll, and see some of New South Wales’ iconic wildlife. The Royal Botanic Garden (free to visit) is a 30-hectare oasis in the heart of the city and overlooks Sydney Harbour. It’s Australia’s oldest botanical garden and is filled with an incredible variety of plants, from ancient trees to bright flowers. Among the woodlands, grasslands, and lakes, keep an eye out for some of the 190 bird species spotted here. 

Another beautiful place is the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour ($8 with a student discount), which celebrates traditional Chinese landscape design. This tranquil green garden boasts sculptures, waterfalls, and peaceful ponds. It even has an old tea house serving both tea and delicious treats.

4. Attend the city’s free concerts

While the city’s surfing and foodie scenes often steal the limelight, Sydney is rapidly becoming a great place to enjoy live music. If you know where to look, you can get your culture fix at a wealth of free concerts and performances that take place across the city. 

On Wednesdays, The Metro Theatre often puts on free live music events celebrating Australia’s best up-and-coming music talent. The Sydney Conservatorium of Music holds free concerts each week showing off the skills of its students. For unique experiences with a classical twist, head to Sydney Town Hall for enchanting free music recitals featuring the huge, historic grand organ. You can also get a free ticket for the Sydney Symphony Under the Stars — a Sydney Symphony Orchestra open-air concert in Paramatta Park, complete with fireworks.

5. Dine in style

Foodies flock to Sydney, and the city is peppered with world-class restaurants. Sounds expensive, right? Well, eating well here definitely doesn’t have to break the bank. Brunch here is a big deal, and Oakberry Açai does the best organic açai bowls in town with unlimited toppings (yes please). 

Come dinnertime, head to Haymarket for some of the city’s best Cantonese restaurants and Korean BBQ places — Spicy Joint is well known for its cheap but delicious menu. If fast food is your jam, Mad Mex can fulfill all your Mexican culinary cravings, and there are several Betty’s Burgers in central Sydney, serving up budget-friendly burgers. Finally, a trip to your nearest Gelato Messina for a sweet treat is not to be missed.