If you’re travelling to the sunny Australian city of Sydney but want to make sure that you don’t fall into any expensive tourist traps, follow some of these top tips on how to tackle Sydney on the cheap.
Free things to do in Sydney
There are free and fun activities that any holidaymaker, traveller or citizen can enjoy when in travelling to Sydney on a budget.
If Australian politics is on your list of things to see and do in Sydney, a visit to the Government house will certainly keep you happy – and admission is free!
The government house is located in the Domain and overlooks the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Opera House. It is known as the most sophisticated example of a gothic revival building in New South Wales.
Royalists might also want a visit as the upstairs rooms of Government House have been used as the private quarters for the Governor, Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family when visiting Sydney.
If Government buildings aren’t your thing why not take a stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens. During the spring season when the trees are starting to blossom the gardens ‘come alive’. It’s an ideal spot for taking in the view of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
For a day or two, or three of lounging around and soaking up the Aussie culture, head to one of Sydney’s golden beaches. They run from Palm Beach in the north to Cronulla in the south with the world famous Bondi Beach only 8 km away from the city centre you will be left spoilt for choice.
If you want to splash out you could take a surfing lesson, go sailing, snorkeling and try your hand at many other water sports.
Cheap Travel in Sydney
The MyMulti 1 Weekly is an unlimited 24.7 travel pass which allows you to use the trains around the inner suburbs as well as all the private and government scheduled buses. At the time of writing the pass is $41.
Alternatively, you can get yourself an Opal travel card, which is similar to a London Oyster card and will allow you to travel on most modes of public transport using a contactless card.
It also includes all Sydney Ferries and light rail for all suburbs of Sydney for 7 days. It does now however include airport trains but you can purchase the ticket at the airport.
You can also buy day tripper tickers and families in Sydney on a Sunday can enjoy all day travel for $2.50 per person. Which also stretch out to Newcastle and Wollogong. Family cards must include at least one child and one adult.
Cheap Arts
Attending the Sydney Opera house is on the tick list of every holidaymaker however tickets can get pricy so if you sign up to their newsletter you can receive special discounts.
If you’re heading off to the pictures, Campbeltowns’ family run three room Dumaresq Street Cinema is the cheapest in town. Each ticket is between $6 and $11.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales sometimes screens free films linked to the current exhibition on Wednesdays and Sundays. Madame Fling Flong, a café bar has been known to show cult classic films such as the Shining and Donnie Darko on Tuesdays.
The Opera bar at Circular Quay some times plays host so free nightly and weekend afternoon entertainment, ranging from jazz and funk to soul acts.
Cheap Food
As a city Sydney is oozing with bars and restaurants and cafes it can be difficult to know if you’re being ripped off.
Burgers were voted as the most popular cheap eat of choice last year on Time Out Australia, and there are many boutique burger bars that can be found. If you are heading to Sydney anytime soon there is a pop up night market serving food in Taylor Square from 6 th -27 th October.
Every Thursday night the Eat & Meet will take place as part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival.
Cheap accommodation in Sydney
Sydney hotels are not hard to find – the city is bursting with accommodation to suit all tastes. From 5 star resorts to budget backpacker hostels you can find what you are looking for in Sydney. If you want to find a comfortable middle that doesn’t blow the budget or compromise on bathroom facilities you can easily find some great hotels for a great price.
The season’s high prices are significantly different to the low ones and if you happen to be in Sydney for New Year’s Eve, you will need to book well in advance. Sometimes hotels require a 14 night stay during that busy period. A cheaper alternative is by staying in student accommodation at a University College close to the city centre, it makes a great view for watching the fireworks.
You can book university accommodation online from November until the end of February in Sydney and other Australian cities from just $60 a night.
Another cheap option would be to book accommodation outside of the city, Parramatta for example is a 40 minutes train journey to Sydney city centre.
