Sydney is the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway with some girlfriends, a loved one or even a solo-trip! As Australia’s biggest city, Sydney has plenty of fun activities and places to visit that won’t break the bank. Check out our list of the top 9 free attractions in and around the city, and let us know where else we should visit!
- Visit one of Sydney’s beautiful beaches
Sydney is famous for having some of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the world, with over 100 beaches in the city of all sizes. If you’re keen to tick off the bucket-list spots, then make sure to stop in at Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, Palm Beach and Balmoral. Wanting a more secluded or quiet beach day away from the crowds? Check out Chinamans Beach in Mosman, Milk Beach in Vaucluse, Bungan Beach in Mona Vale, or Turimetta Beach up north!
2. Take one of Sydney’s gorgeous walks
Sydney is notorious for having stunning hikes all around the city, from coastal boardwalks to national park tracks, so make sure to soak up all this stunning city has to offer and get fit while doing it! For a walk along the coast, you can’t go past the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk in the eastern suburbs, with cute cafes to stop in at and million-dollar views. Another coastal walk not to miss is the Spit to Manly, where you can soak up the uninterrupted views of North and South head. Stop in at Clontarf or Shelly Beach for a swim after the walk! For a more inner-city walk, check out the Woolloomooloo to Circular Quay walk, which features gorgeous views of the Opera House and city skyline. On the north shore, Balls Head National Park has a ton of different tracks to follow, check out the Coal Loaders cafe and sustainability centre!
3. Check out the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are a beautiful, heritage-listed set of gardens and recreational areas just east of the CBD in Sydney. The gorgeously manicured gardens, picnic spots, and green spaces are perfect for a stroll through on a sunny day, and stop in at the Botanic Garden Cafe for a quick coffee and pastry!
4. Stroll through one of Sydney’s weekend markets
Sydney has an abundance of markets to explore on the weekends, from organic fresh produce to vintage finds. For fashion finds, don’t look past the Glebe markets, the Kirribilli markets and Round She Goes fashion markets. If fresh produce is your thing, then check out the Marrickville organic markets, the Bondi farmers market and the Parramatta farmers market.
5. Soak in the rich history at The Rocks
The Rocks is home to some of the oldest buildings, walkways, pubs and stores in Sydney, and are a must-do for tourists and locals alike. The great thing about The Rocks is that you can find beautiful, upscale restaurants with harbour views, or a casual pub or cafe! Take a free walking tour and finish with a coffee or even a beer! This area is full of convict and indigenous Australian history, so allow yourself some time to explore.
6. Immerse yourself in culture at one of Sydney’s great art galleriesFrom galleries housing the Archibald prize, to local Australian artists, there are plenty of galleries in Sydney to check out and explore on a weekend getaway. Some of our favourites include the Art Gallery of NSW, Artspace, Brett Whiteley Studio, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Wentworth Gallery.
7. Window-shop on Sydney’s great shopping streets
The beautiful fashions of Sydney can be enjoyed without spending a cent! Just take a stroll down one of the many streets housing everything from high-end designers to local boutiques. Some of our favourite streets to check out include Oxford Street, which stretches from Darlinghurst to Paddington, Military Road in Mosman, Crown Street in Surrey Hills, King Street in Newtown and Darling Street in Balmain.
8. Explore the beautiful St James and St Mary’s cathedrals
The beautiful St James church and St Mary’s Cathedral are two of Sydney’s most stunning and oldest buildings, both of which can be explored for free. If music is your thing, check out their free concerts and recitals, featuring beautiful choirs and instrumental performances.
9. Enjoy the view at Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill is home to one of the most stunning views of Sydney city, just a short walk from the CBD or Circular Quay! Soak up the sun on the hill, or hire a tennis court for some physical activity. A popular thing for locals and tourists to do is to pack a picnic and enjoy the sunset on a Sunday afternoon.
We hope this post has inspired you to get exploring your own city! Let us know what you love to get up to in your local city, we’d love to hear down below in the comments!
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