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 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. 

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.  

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 at 10.30am or 2.30pm on any day of the week and look for the people wearing green ‘I’m Free’ T-shirts. 

The City of Sydney has free ping-pong tables all over the place. We love the ones near Tumbalong Park, and those on the Goods Line (both near Darling Harbour). Adopting and adapting the concept behind New York’s popular High Line, the Goods Line is more than just an elevated walkway: there’s also play equipment, an outdoor gym and communal picnic benches, as well as a sandpit for the kids.

Wendy’s Secret Garden – which is at the foothill of her private home in Lavender Bay – has been nurtured by Whiteley and two gardeners over the past 25 years. 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.

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.

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. 

Run, stroll, sunbake, picnic – the world is your oyster at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Thought to be one of the oldest public gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, they date back to 1810. Entry is free, and so are the guided tours from 10.30am – though you'll be able to discover plenty of cool stuff on your own (we particularly love the Cactus Garden).

To avoid the heavy summer crowds and even heavier parking fees, head off the beaten track with a walk down to tucked-away cove, Collins Flat Beach. As well as hosting a gorgeous stretch of secluded sand, it's the closest waterfall to Sydney Harbour and is a habitat for fairy penguins. 

For our pick of the best secluded beaches, head here, and for our overall standouts, including the cool kids like Freshwater, head right here. 

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 is 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.