Sydney ’s a frequent challenger for one ofthe globe ’s most expensive metropolis , but that does n’t mean centime - pinchers are barred from having any fun . From public common and sprawl beaches to neck of the woods bars and easy road trips , we picked out 38 affordable choice that do n’t involve hemorrhage money .
1. Wander aroundThe Rocks, a historic precinct
Situated next to the harbour , The Rocks was one of the first settlements in Australia . Make certain to jibe out the markets on the weekends , as well as the Foodies Market on Fridays .
2. Scope out the Sydney Observatory
The Observatory features sensational eyeshot of the harbour , and costs just $ 10 for a daytime enlistment .
3. Climb thePylon Lookout
Instead of spending $ 200 to climb the Harbour Bridge , take the air 200 footstep to the Lookout and spend just $ 13 to climb to the top . Along the way , you ’ll find exhibits outline the bridge ’s chronicle and structure .
4. Drink a beer at theGlenmore Hotel rooftop
This local public house sits just next to the span , and give you a cheaper advantage point than some of its higher - conclusion neighbors .
5. Hit theArt Gallery of New South Wales
Entry is loose at the Art Gallery NSW , which features collections of Australian , Aboriginal , European , Asian , and modern-day prowess . Catch Art After 60 minutes every Wednesday , when the museum keeps its doors opened until 10 pm .
6. Keep it going at theMuseum of Contemporary Art
You ’ve already bring down one museum , why not double down on culture and wander the waterside MCA ? The impressive museum features international exhibitions , installations , paintings , carving , and new medium .
7. Take the Bondi to Coogee Walk
The coastal walk thread you along the beaches ofTamarama , Bronte , Clovelly and Gordon ’s Bay . The two - hr stroll ends at Coogee , where you could grab a pint atCoogee Pavilion .
8. Jaunt throughLuna Park
Located just across the harbor from Circular Quay , Luna Park is the trippy carnival of your dreams – or nightmares , seeing as the entrance is through a titan , freaky statue ’s mouth . The rides are n’t free , but a few beers and a $ 12 tag to saunter through the park can be just as entertaining .
9. Take a stroll atBarangaroo Reserve
The former empty container dock had been close off to the world for more than 100 year before it was metamorphose into a metropolis park in August . Check out theWulugul Pop Upspace , where you may click up some tasty fried chicken from Melbourne favoriteBelle ’s Hot Chickenor Malayan fare fromMamak . The popup runs through August 2016 .
10. Ride the ferry to Manly
A head trip to Manly is just $ 15 and is one of the soft way to explore the harbor . arrest out the beach and catch $ 5 tacos and $ 9 cocktail atChica Bonitaor grab a beer and receive the lively scene atManly Wharf Hotel .
11. Take a scenic walk from Manly to Spit
It ’s nearly a four - minute committedness , but the salary increase boasts incredible waterside view that are well worth it . End your exodus with a rewarding pint at4 Pines Brewing Company .
12. Kick back atClovelly Lawn Bowls
This club ’s law of proximity to the ocean ( it ’s right next doorway ) makes it the best spot for lawn bowling in the city . sound off off your brake shoe and delight an afternoon of barefoot bowl for just $ 12 .
13. Free bowling atThe Standard Bowl
On the off prospect you ’re more of an indoor bowling type , The Standard is your move . Outfitted with lanes , pinball game machine , and pool tables , as well as ( free ) live euphony , this saloon and music venue ’s revamp was animate by the proprietor ’s trip to Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg .
14. Visit the Chinatown night market
Every Friday at 4 pm , Dixon St is transubstantiate into a bustling market with more than 65 stalls hawking everything from food to handmade jewelry . Even if you do n’t buy anything , the sojourn alone is an experience worth experience .
15. Catch thefireworks at Darling Harbor
Every Saturday during the summertime months , watch for fireworks to light up the sky at 9 post-mortem . It ’s breathtaking , but more significantly , it ’s also free .
16. Snorkel at Shelly Beach
This local resort is gather away in Manly and feature theCabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve , which means it ’s a protected haven for marine life and an absolute must for snorkelers of all skill levels .
17. Walk The Gap at Watsons Bay
The cliffside wage hike overtop the Tasman Sea on the southerly headland of the entree to Sydney Harbor . Keep an center out for the nudists at Lady Bay , and finish off your hiking with some cheap fish and chips at the famedDoyle ’s on the Wharf .
18. Do some record shopping in Newtown
you’re able to find all sort of treasures with a walkway down King St , but Newtown ’s vinyl radical offer is some of the best . Make certain to attain Newtown institutionRepressed Records , along with Egg Records , for new and secondhand vinyl .
19. Take a day trip to theBlue Mountains
This World Heritage - listed park is just a 90 - instant drive ( or a 1 - 2 hour gearing ride ) from the metropolis , and have intercourse for its blue haze – hence , “ Blue Mountains . ” Enjoy a long hike , then check out the mountainside town for lunch .
20. Consume late-night pizza and live music atFrankie’s
Hit the dancing storey at this rock ‘ n roll dive bar and lave down a $ 5 slice with a Whisky Apple . While you might ’ve done things you ’ll regret that night , this wo n’t be one of them .
21. Hit up theIsland Barat Cockatoo Island
draw up a beach chair , grab a cocktail jug ( yes , a jug ) , and soak up the sunshine under one of the touch disrobe umbrellas at this bar in the heart of Sydney Harbor .
22. See a movie atSt. George’s OpenAir Cinema
Located at Mrs. Macquarie ’s Chair between Circular Quay and Woolloomooloo , the film is one of the best spots to catch a moving picture . Like a scene from a movie you ’re there to learn , the screen come forth from the water with the Opera House and Harbor Bridge looming in the desktop . movie start at sunset , and tickets be around $ 35 .
23. Lunch atSydney Fish Markets
Find fresh fish and chips for as petty as $ 10 at the famed markets . It ’s as simple as that .
24. Roam theRoyal Botanic Gardens
The Gardens offer some of the urban center ’s just views , so grab a nursing bottle of wine and plant yourself for an good afternoon walkover or a sottish lunch .
25.Rent a kayak at Manly Centre
Rent a kayak for $ 20 / hr on one of Sydney ’s most democratic northern beaches and paddle on the wharfside over to one of the smaller beaches that are only accessible by sauceboat . Protip : backpack a picnic and spend a couple of hours at Store beach .
26. See the penguins atQ Station
Manly is plate to the only rearing settlement of Little Penguins on mainland NSW . The population stands around 50 to 60 pairs , and the best place to see them is at Collins Beach on North Head , or around the old Quarantine Station – depend on the ferry to get there .
27. Hire a bike atCentennial Park
For just $ 20 / hour , get your daily dose of exercise with a bike ride through this historic park . Keep your eyes peeled for the colony of fly fox that hang out in the Lachlan Swamp !
28. Late night dancing atCliff Dive
Before the 1 am lockout hitting , oral sex to this Papua New Guinean local haunt for $ 10 cocktails before hitting the saltation floor for a sweaty and most likely foggy Nox of fun .
29. Watch a movie atDumaresq Cinema
picture can usually determine you back at least $ 20 , but you may snag a ticket for just $ 6.50 at Campbelltown ’s Dumaresq Cinema .
30. Drink craft beer atBatch Brewing Co.
Drop into this Marrickville brewery to sample the modish batch and take home a growler top off your favorite draft . Craft beer are available as little as $ 9 .
31. Eat aFive Points Burger
There are raft of choice around town thanks to Sydney ’ unrelenting burger craze , but experience what all the hype is about in North Sydney at Five Points . For a $ 10 Warren Earl Burger , it ’s well deserving the trip .
32. Pay what you want for a meal atLentil As Anything
For more than 13 year , this vegetable - focused restaurant has successfully operated on the concept that you’re able to pay what you want for your repast . gravely .
33. Grab Sunday roast atDove and Olive
A few restaurants around Ithiel Town serve up a mean Sunday roast , but Dove Olive ’s offering is a steal at $ 15 for generous fate of half a chicken , roast potato , gravy , pumpkins , and cultivated carrot .
34. Take aLaneway Learningclass
After finding succeeder in Melbourne , the Laneway Learning team bring its concept to Sydney to offer cheap and fun classes on just about anything . Most classes cost around $ 12 and are held around town in bar and coffeehouse , range in subject from helping you perfect the Charleston to air sock puppetry for adults – which , apparently , is a thing .
35. Barbecue atBlackwattle Bay
For a hassle - spare Sunday session , project a barbeque at Blackwattle Bay in Glebe , where the barbies are unexampled and the shoreline views of Anzac Bridge are some ofthe good around .
36. Road trip to Royal National Park
Less than an time of day ’s get away , the Royal National Park is a quick day head trip full of options other than drink at one of Sydney ’s waterside bar . Vehicle unveiling is just $ 11 .
37. Swim at Andrew (Boy) Charlton
revel panoramic view while lick around ABC pool in Woolloomooloo for just $ 6 .
38. Eat dollar dogs at the Soda Factory
Tuesdays at the Soda Factory are all about the American pipe dream – y’know , the one that include five dissimilar gourmet hot dogs for just $ 1 each ?
Bonus: extra trips on the Opal
If you ’re regularly tapping your Opal card , you may have figured out by now that transit is barren after eight trips per hebdomad . Take an extra train ride instead of walking to lunch and get your eight trips in at the beginning of the workweek so it ’s costless by Thursday . Warning : trip must be an hour aside or they calculate as a transference .
Bonus: Family Funday Sunday
you may access limitless locomotion between caravan , buses and ferry for a maximum menu of $ 2.50 on Sundays .
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St.George OpenAir Cinema
Flickr/Art Gallery of NSW
Flickr/Tchami
Flickr/BrunoBrunan
Flickr/Nigel Howe
Repressed Records
St.George OpenAir Cinema
Flickr/MD111
Flickr/JAM Project
Dove & Olive
Flickr/Justin Griffiths
Flickr/joshuadf
