The 25 best free things to do in Australia's capital cities

Canberra

Not only are there countless picnic spots at the National Arboretum, but electric barbequing stations too for a bougie lunch that you can bring from home. Drive right up to the picnic table on Dairy Farmers Hill for a picnic with jaw-dropping panoramic views, or go on a little bit of a walk through the Himalayan cedar forest, where you’ll find a bigger picnic area and grills. Once you’re full and content, you can explore the forest sculpture gallery, playground, bonsai collection and more than 20 kilometres of walking and cycle tracks. None of it will cost you a cent. 

In the dry season (May to October), locals and visitors alike flock to the warm waters of Berry Springs Nature Park for some free fun (shaded from the sun). Even in the wet season – when swimming isn’t permitted due to the threat of crocs – it’s still a pretty spot for picnicking and wildlife-admiring. On your way back to Darwin, stop for a cold beer at the classic Berry Springs Tavern and hang out with the pub’s pets: goats, emus and deer. 

Sydney

Sydney’s vibrant art scene is busting at the seams with great galleries of all shapes and sizes. The Art Gallery of NSW is massive, with constantly revolving exhibitions from around Australia and the world – and now a whole standalone modern art building next door. Other galleries around town with free entry include the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Australian Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Museum of Sydney, Sydney University's Chau Chak Wing Museum and Hyde Park Barracks. 

Adelaide

It’s no secret that South Australia is home to many public parks that are crammed with flora and fauna from all walks of life – but one in particular never fails to reel in the crowds. Located smack-bang in the city centre, Adelaide Botanic Garden covers 51 hectares of diverse habitats, with both outdoor and indoor displays to marvel at. With such vast land to frolic, the gardens can easily meld into one big haze of green – that’s where a free guided walking tour comes in handy. Led by Friends of the Botanic Gardens, this excursion takes you through hidden nooks and passes on plenty of horticultural fun facts, as well as valuable insight into the history of the garden. Departing at 10.30am daily from the Schomburgk Pavilion, the guided journey spans an 1.5 hours and doesn’t require bookings unless you bring the whole crew (five or more people). Get your exploration boots on and hop to it.

Only 15 minutes from the CBD, Brisbane's Mount Coot-Tha Summit offers panoramic views of the city – so close you could almost reach out and touch the skyscrapers – and is easily accessible by car or walking trail. Take your camera and head up early to see the sunrise from Brisbane’s highest point. If mornings don’t agree with you, the sunset and evening views are equally impressive. Or make a day of it – the reserve is also home to extensive hiking and mountain biking trails, waterfalls, picnic areas, Botanic Gardens and even a planetarium.

Canberra

One of the big drawcards of Canberra is getting to see where all the big decisions get made in our version of the White House. The good news is that entry to Parliament House is free, and the even better news is that you won’t need to fork out any more if you’d like to go on a proper tour. Even though the 25-minute Heart of the House tour is free, you can reserve your spot here. You’ll get an introduction to the architecture, check out one of the chambers and hear all about Parliament House’s political history. 

Perth

Sure, Sydney and the Gold Coast may hog the limelight when it comes to famous beaches, but here in Perth, the scorching summer temps, azure waters and pearly-white sands make our shores a natural wonder in a class of their own. Hit up Cottesloe Beach for a swim, snorkel or surf, and it’s fair to say you won’t be disappointed. Every day is beach weather, so be sure to add an Indian Ocean sunset and an impromptu seaside picnic to your bucket list. 

Get up close and personal to the sweet stuff at South Australia’s very own Haigh’s Chocolate Factory. Located on Adelaide’s fringe, Haigh’s is the country's oldest family-owned chocolate company with 1915 beginnings, and still operates from its original 1919 Parkside factory. Today, the chocolate oasis is run by fourth-generation Haigh's, and you can take a 30-minute, free guided tour around the factory to learn about its rich history and watch the magic in the making. Gaze upon the handcrafted techniques, be mesmerised by the liquid gold as it drapes over the confectionery like silk, and let your pure imagination run wild. Haigh’s Chocolate Factory tours operate during the store’s usual trading hours and booking is recommended. 

Hobart

You don't need to pay a cent to experience breathtaking views from the summit of Hobart’s tallest peak, kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Even when the clouds roll in, the mountaintop is an experience in itself. If you’re lucky enough to experience great conditions, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama of Hobart. For those feeling active, dozens of walking tracks crisscross kunanyi, ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes.

Perth

There’s always something happening by the seaside in ‘Freo’, a cultural hub where the Swan River kisses the Indian Ocean. Stroll along the foreshore to South Fremantle, cool down in the free museums (WA Shipwreck Museum or Fremantle Arts Centre), potter the Fremantle Markets (one of only two surviving market buildings in WA), and enjoy a swim at the beautiful Bathers Beach. It’s worth mentioning that Bathers is WA’s first licensed beach area, so bring a few bevvies and settle in for a sunset session with BYO treats. 

Adelaide

Big with avid photographers, the Port Willunga Jetty Pylons are a prime setting for soaking up the coastal South Australian sunset. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘jetty' – you won’t find a walkway hovering over the crashing ocean, just remnants of the 1868 rebuild of the Port Willunga Jetty. The rotting pylons unite with jagged shoreline rocks and spits of incoming swell to create a striking sunset foreground. You’ll find the semi-rural pylons 45 kilometres south of Adelaide’s city centre, where gazing from the comfort of cliffside caves carved out by yesteryear fishermen is the place to be.

Brisbane

Hey, love is free, right? And so is some of the best art in Queensland. The state's Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) spans two airy buildings by the water in South Bank. While the Queensland Art Gallery has been here in all its brutalist grandeur since 1982, the Gallery of Modern Art annex was opened in 2006. These days, the two galleries house an impressive permanent collection – in addition to hosting regular temporary exhibitions (which are usually not free, soz). Brush up on great Queensland artists like Tracey Moffatt and Ian Fairweather before you go and impress your squeeze with your culture.

Perth

Finding free things to do in Perth is an absolute walk in the park – and you can bet a leisurely stroll is how our list is gonna start. The verdant greenery of Kings Park — one of the world’s largest and most beautiful central parks covering 400 hectares – is a pretty city escape, boasting mesmerising panoramic vistas of the Swan River and city skyline. You’ll be in good company as you venture down one of the many bush walking trails or rest on the immaculate lawns, as Kings Park is one of WA’s most visited tourist destinations and home to 3,000 species of unique flora. You can even join one of the free guided walks, hosted by volunteers every day at 10am and 1pm. 

You might have been to the Big Banana but have you been to Australia’s oldest bridge? A short drive from Hobart takes you to the historic town of Richmond. It’s here that the country’s oldest in-use bridge sits proudly across the Coal River. Rolling green hills lead down to the water where resident-friendly ducks add to the charm. While this bridge has its fair share of mystery and mythology, all you need to know is that it makes a great spot to while away a sunny afternoon.

Canberra

It wouldn’t be a visit to the nation’s capital without a pit stop for some arts and culture. Luckily, most of Canberra's incredible galleries are completely free to explore. Get artsy at the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery, travel back in time at the National Museum of Australia, or ball out at the Royal Australian Mint. You can also listen to the humbling sounds of the Last Post at the Australian War Memorial – but don’t forget to reserve your spot online. 

The secret may be well and truly out about this hidden garden in Sydney, but it really is a heart-warming story and a space worth sharing. When Wendy Whiteley lost her husband, Australian artist Brett Whiteley in 1992, she funnelled her love and grief into transforming a disused, derelict train yard space. Now, everyone's welcome to explore the terraced paths and staircases that wind down to some clearings with picnic tables and secret spots for all to enjoy.

If Darwin had a greatest hits album, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) would be the opening track. It’s got everything – Indigenous art, a refreshed cyclone Tracy exhibition, 23 gorgeous traditional boats and canoes, and mind-blowing local stories that add depth and a hefty dose of ‘whoa, people really lived through that’ to your understanding of northern Australia. The star of the show for kids? Sweetheart, a massive crocodile that once terrorised fishing boats. If you want to see the real deal, head to the Adelaide River for a jumping croc cruise.