The best free things to do in 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 Australian Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Museum of Sydney, Sydney University's Chau Chak Wing Museum, and Hyde Park Barracks. 

Even more intriguing than the impressive architectural design of this performance space, is the ticketing system. There is no monetary exchange required for the cutting-edge acts, you just need to enter a ballot and become one of the lucky winners.  

You may think of the majestic dome-roofed Queen Victoria Building in Sydney's CBD as a place where you end up flushing money down the drain – but, shopping aside, it's a beautiful place to stroll on through and admire the architecture and gorgeous window displays. Make more of a day of it by venturing up George Street to the equally historic (and equally gorgeous) Strand Arcade. 

Harry Seidler built this house, his first commission, between 1948 and 1950 for his parents, Rose and Max. The ambitious architect came over from New York, where he had been working for Bauhaus guru Marcel Breuer, specifically to build the house. Max and Rose Seidler lived in the house until 1967. It’s now run by Museums of History NSW, and is open to the public on Sundays. 

The Golden Sheaf runs free trivia on the last Tuesday of every month. You can get in for zero dollars, there are free drinks and bar tabs to be won and if you are willing to drop some cash, there's a killer happy hour. 

From behind the wheel, you can experience many of the most beautiful areas just beyond the city.

While you're becoming acquainted with the Whiteleys, pop into Brett's art studio. The artist bought the former warehouse in 1985 and converted it into a studio and exhibition space. He lived there from 1988 to 1992. The NSW Government subsequently bought the space, and it opened to the public as the Brett Whiteley Studio in 1995, managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It's in Surry Hills, not far from Central Station.

2026 update: The studio is currently closed to the public with plans to reopen this year with the exhibition Chapters 1970–79. 

The $4 million playground is on the banks of the Georges River, on the way to Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, and it has wow-factor play equipment perfect for tweens and teens. There is a jaw dropping maze of nets, cubby houses and ropes, dual flying foxes and swings. There’s also a smaller, but just as fun, playground for toddlers that has ropes, bridges and slides – but at a closer tumbling range to the spongy ground.

Check out our list of the coolest playgrounds around Sydney. 

Less than an hour from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD, you’ll find a whopping 15,091 hectares of bushland hugging the coast south of the city. Whatever outdoor pursuit you’re in the mood for – swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, or just chilling out in nature – you can find your fix here. 

Or, take a trip to one of these lush and leafy parklands within 100km of the CBD.

If you live in Sydney, a three-hour walking tour around the CBD may sound like a chore rather than a fun thing to do on your day off. But if you have visitors in town, this is a free way to check off many of the city’s historical sites in one go. To join a tour, simply go to Town Hall Square at 10.30am on any day of the week (or at 3pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for a condensed version of the tour) and look for the people wearing green ‘I’m Free’ T-shirts.