{"id":24,"date":"2018-11-06T15:07:24","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T15:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=41239"},"modified":"2018-11-06T15:07:24","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T15:07:24","slug":"explore-sydney-on-a-budget-13-cheap-or-free-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/06\/explore-sydney-on-a-budget-13-cheap-or-free-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Sydney on a Budget: 13 Cheap or Free Things to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freesydney1.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney Opera House and Bridge\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>Updated:<\/strong> 11\/06\/2018 | Novemebr 6th, 2018<\/p>\n<p>As my friends and I drank wine in the shadow of the Opera House, I couldn\u2019t help but be happy \u2013 I was back in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/australia-travel-tips\/sydney\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Sydney<\/a>\u00a0for the first time in five years and I was here for over two weeks!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShall we go somewhere else?\u201d my friends asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSure, let\u2019s get the bill!\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n<p>When our check came, I was reminded of something about Sydney I had forgotten: its high prices. Even with a currently weak Australian dollar, Sydney was more expensive than I remembered.<\/p>\n<p>With its 10 AUD sandwiches, 10 AUD beers, 19 AUD cocktails, 30 AUD hostels (sometimes up to 40 AUD!!!), and outrageous restaurant prices, Sydney can burn a hole in your wallet quicker than actual fire. It was going to be an expensive two weeks if I didn\u2019t figure out how to enjoy the best this city had to offer on a budget. Leaving no stone unturned (OK, probably one or two), I found several ways to save big here \u2013 while still filling your days and having a lot of fun.<\/p>\n<p>While Syndey is never going to be the cheapest destination to travel to in the world, there are plenty of ways to save money in Syndey thanks to all the free and cheap things to do there. Between museums, markets, beaches, nature walks, and some local deals, there are plenty of ways to lower your costs on your next visit!<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve divided this blog posts into two sections:<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/free-cheap-sydney\/#free\">Part 1: Free things to do in Sydney<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/free-cheap-sydney\/#cheap\">Part 2: Cheap things to do in Sydney<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Just click on the link above and get to the section you want!<\/p>\n<h3 a id=\"free\">Free Things to Do in Sydney<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>1. Get an Opal card <\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney011.jpg\" alt=\"Get an Opal Card to save money on public transit in Sydney\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nThis metro card is free \u2014 you just need to load it with money \u2014 and worth using for three reasons: it offers discounted fare compared to purchasing one-use tickets (this varies by distance); there\u2019s a maximum fare charge of 15 AUD per day; and on Sundays, the maximum is 2.50 AUD. That means you can go anywhere on the transportation system \u2013 whether by metro, ferry, or light rail &#8211; and you\u2019ll never pay more than 2.50 AUD! It\u2019s an amazing deal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Explore the free museums <\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney010.jpg\" alt=\"Visit free museums like the White Rabbit Gallery\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/australia-travel-tips\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Australia<\/a> has a lot of expensive museums, but tons of free ones too. Some worth considering are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Mint (a small exhibit on how they used to make money)<\/li>\n<li>The Australia Center for Photography<\/li>\n<li>The White Rabbit Gallery (beautiful art)<\/li>\n<li>The Manly Art Museum<\/li>\n<li>The Sydney Observatory<\/li>\n<li>The Rocks Discovery Museum!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3. The Art Gallery of New South Wales<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney001.jpg\" alt=\"The Art Gallery of New South Wales \" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nThe Art Gallery of NSW is one of my favorite museums in the city. There are so many exquisite landscape paintings, portraits, and statues in its collection by Australian and European artists (and even a few by Monet). It\u2019s a really substantial collection. Some of my favorites were Albert Hanson\u2019s \u201cPacific Beaches,\u201d Guerard\u2019s \u201cJebel Cherib\u201d and \u201cMilford Sound,\u201d Peter Paul Rubens\u2019 \u201cSelf-Portrait,\u201d and Batten\u2019s \u201cSnowdrop and the Seven Little Men.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. The Museum of Contemporary Art<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney002.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nThe contemporary art museum also is free and features Australian artists, including many Aboriginals. While I\u2019m not a huge fan of this type of art (bottles on the floor is NOT art), the Aboriginal collection was breathtaking. You can really feel the artists\u2019 connections to their land and culture as well as the pain of past attempts to take it away from them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Visit the beaches<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney003.jpg\" alt=\"Bondi Beach\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nSydney is a city famous for its (free) beaches, and there\u2019s no better way to spend one of the city\u2019s many sunny days than by enjoying one of them. Try to avoid going on the weekends, when they fill up and you have to fight for space. While Bondi is the most famous, be sure to check out some of these other great beaches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Manly<\/li>\n<li>Watson\u2019s Bay<\/li>\n<li>Coogee<\/li>\n<li>Bronte (my favorite)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>6. Take a nature walk<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney004.jpg\" alt=\"Coastal walk in Sydney, Australia\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nThere are a number of stunning public coastal walks that allow you to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of Sydney\u2019s harbor and coastal cliffs. While tons of people do the two-hour Coogee-to-Bondi walk (avoid it on the weekends), I found Watson\u2019s Bay and the Split-to-Manly walks quieter, more relaxing, and beautiful. Some other walks worth checking out are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rose Bay to Watson&#8217;s Bay<\/li>\n<li>Watson&#8217;s Bay to Dover Heights<\/li>\n<li>Chowder Bay to Balmoral Beach<\/li>\n<li>Jibbon Beach Loop Track<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>7. Free walking tours<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney015.jpg\" alt=\"The Rocks in Sydney\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nOne of the best ways to explore a new city is by taking a free walking tour. These will introduce you to all the major sites and give you a solid introduction to the city&#8217;s history and culture. Best of all, these tours are free (just make sure to tip!). Two suggested companies for walking tours in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/australia-travel-tips\/sydney\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Sydney<\/a> are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imfree.com.au\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">I&#8217;m Free Walking Tours<\/a>: Daily tours of the city center and The Rocks (Sydney&#8217;s original settlement).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sydney-greeters.com\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Sydney Greeters<\/a>: This is a free service that connects you with locals who will show you their neighborhood (advanced booking required).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 a id=\"cheap\">Cheap Things to Do in Sydney<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>8. Take the Town Hall tour<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney006.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney Town Hall\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nBuilt in 1889, Sydney&#8217;s\u00a0beautiful town hall is a picturesque Victorian building. On Tuesday mornings, there\u2019s a detailed two-hour tour that you can take for only 5 AUD. It&#8217;s a great way to learn some extra history about the building as well as the city.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Visit the markets<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney007.jpg\" alt=\"Markets in Sydney are a great way to save money\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nSydney has a ton of amazing markets to walk through. No matter what you&#8217;re looking for, from antiques to food to local crafts, you&#8217;ll likely be able to find it at a market. I love the Paddington Market and the farmers market the best. They draw an eclectic crowd, and the farmers market makes me want to cook nonstop. Here are some other great markets worth checking out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Glebe Market<\/li>\n<li>Rozelle Collectors Market<\/li>\n<li>Orange Grove Organic Market<\/li>\n<li>Bondi Farmer&#8217;s Market<\/li>\n<li>Manly Market Place<\/li>\n<li>Chinatown Night Market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>10. Attend one of Sydney\u2019s many events<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney016.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney holds many different cultural events\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nSince Sydney has a complex about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/things-to-visit-melbourne\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Melbourne being called the culture capital of Australia<\/a>, it tries to outdo its rival by hosting over dozens of events each year. It has art gallery nights, concerts, festivals, and much more. Most of them are free and can be found on the Sydney tourism website. Some of the more noteworthy events are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>New Year&#8217;s Eve (Sydney is one of the biggest New Year&#8217;s Eve destinations in the world)<\/li>\n<li>Lost Paradise (a 3-day music festival)<\/li>\n<li>City2Surf (an annual race and fun run)<\/li>\n<li>Vivid Sydney (an annual light, music, and idea festival)<\/li>\n<li>Twilight at Taronga (summer music series)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>11. Eat cheap!<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney008.jpg\" alt=\"Eat cheap in Sydney by trying a sushi train\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nNeed a cheap meal? The sushi trains around the city offer a filling meal for 10-20 AUD, the noodle and dumpling shops in Chinatown offer tasty and authentic meals for less than 10 AUD, and Lentil as Anything (a vegetarian restaurant in Newtown) offers meals on a \u201cpay as you feel\u201d system. Another cheap place to eat is the food court in the MLC Centre, a big office building in the heart of the business district and popular with office workers. From Mexican to sushi to salads to sandwiches, you can find big-portion meals for 10 AUD or less. For more cheap eats, check out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>El Jannah (chicken sandwiches)<\/li>\n<li>Chinese Noodle Restaurant (homemade noodles)<\/li>\n<li>Spicy Joint (spicy Chinese food)<\/li>\n<li>Spice I Am (Thai food)<\/li>\n<li>Wish Bone (fried chicken and poutine)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>12. Avoid the expensive stuff<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney009.jpg\" alt=\"Avoid expensive cocktails in Sydney, Australia\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nIn many parts of the world, the high end offers some value and you can walk away from an expensive meal and say \u201cthat was worth every penny!\u201d However, that\u2019s not often the case in Sydney. I was always disappointed. From cocktail bars to upscale steak and sushi dinners, I always left hungry, unhappy, and thinking about the lack of value I got. Stick to beer, wine, and the low-end restaurants when you\u2019re in town. You\u2019ll get more bang for your buck!<\/p>\n<p><strong>13. Visit backpacker bars for cheap drinks<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/freeandcheapsydney014.jpg\" alt=\"Backpacker bars are a must for cheap drinks\" width=\"675\" height=\"395\" \/><br \/>\nDrinking in Sydney is expensive \u2013\u00a0with beers costing up to 10 AUD each \u2013\u00a0but the backpacker bars are where to go for a cheap pint. World Bar and Ivy Hotel have backpacker specials for 4-7 AUD, and the Peter Pan Travel Agency in Kings Cross has free drinks on Tuesdays!<\/p>\n<p><center>***<\/center><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-guides\/australia-travel-tips\/sydney\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">Sydney<\/a> is a vibrant, laid-back beach city with an incredible array of activities. If you don\u2019t watch out, it will bust your budget really fast! Sydney may not be one of the cheapest cities in the world, but there are plenty of free and cheap events to keep you busy during your visit. I found myself with plenty of full days that ended with an even fuller wallet!<\/p>\n<div class=\"single-booking\">\n<h4>Book Your Trip to Sydney: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Book Your Flight<\/strong><br \/>\nFind a cheap flight by using <a href=\"http:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/click-3032045-12837948\"  rel=\"noopener\">Skyscanner<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/track.webgains.com\/click.html?wglinkid=701003&amp;wgcampaignid=176915\">Momondo<\/a>. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Book Your Accommodation<\/strong><br \/>\nYou can book your hostel with <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101lHtj\"  rel=\"noopener\">Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay elsewhere, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/index.html?aid=362916\"  rel=\"noopener\">Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay in Sydney are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101lHtj\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FWake-Up-Sydney-Central%2FSydney%2F1704\"  rel=\"noopener\">Wake Up!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101lHtj\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSydney-Harbour-YHA%2FSydney%2F38843\"  rel=\"noopener\">YHA Rocks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong><br \/>\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It&#8217;s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I&#8217;ve had to use it many times in the past. I&#8217;ve been using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldnomads.com\/lovedby\/nomadic-matt?affiliate=nmts&amp;subId=brandlink&amp;affiliateTrackingId=0fe898ceef264503a88f74f4bbc7bb5b&amp;utm_source=nmts&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Affiliate&amp;utm_content=brandlink\"  rel=\"noopener\">World Nomads<\/a> for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldnomads.com\/lovedby\/nomadic-matt?affiliate=nmts&amp;subId=brandlink&amp;affiliateTrackingId=0fe898ceef264503a88f74f4bbc7bb5b&amp;utm_source=nmts&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Affiliate&amp;utm_content=brandlink\"  rel=\"noopener\">World Nomads<\/a> (for everyone below 70)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insuremytrip.com\/?linkid=GB841615\"  rel=\"noopener\">Insure My Trip<\/a> (for those over 70)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Looking for the best companies to save money with?<\/strong><br \/>\nCheck out my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-resources\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel &#8211; and I think will help you too!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- This site is converting visitors into subscribers and customers with OptinMonster - https:\/\/optinmonster.com :: Campaign Title: Australia Destination Form --><\/p>\n<div id=\"om-pwlkuqdnfayexgsp9axi-holder\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.optmnstr.com\/app\/js\/api.min.js\" data-campaign=\"pwlkuqdnfayexgsp9axi\" data-user=\"8268\" data-env=\"production\"><\/script><!-- \/ OptinMonster --><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Note:<\/strong> All prices are in Australian dollars. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/johncowper\/22799258515\/\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/newtown_grafitti\/6774266068\">3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/twistieman\/4763979296\">4<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nlann\/15175458494\">5<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/albertoalerigi\/19238173045\">6<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tipsfortravellers\/506485004\">7<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/50415738@N04\/7849628256\">8<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nelsonminar\/127122626\/\">9<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/evarinaldiphotography\/5406263387\">10<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tauntingpanda\/8414092\/\">11<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mlazarow\/7317548170\/\">14 <\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/free-cheap-sydney\/\">Explore Sydney on a Budget: 13 Cheap or Free Things to Do<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/\">Nomadic Matt&#039;s Travel Site<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I recently went back to Sydney after years away and I was reminded of something about Sydney I had forgotten: its high prices.  The truth is that Sydney can burn a hole in your wallet quicker than actual fire. If you want to enjoy the best this city has to offer on a budget and still have fun, here are 13 ways to save big. <\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/free-cheap-sydney\/\">Explore Sydney on a Budget: 13 Cheap or Free Things to Do<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/\">Nomadic Matt&#8217;s Travel Site<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-australia","category-sydney"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24\/revisions\/25"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}