5 Cheap things to do in Sydney
Experience Oz + NZ Presents

cheap things to do

in Sydney

by Matt Hobbs

A guide to some of the best things to do in Sydney for $40 or less.

A trip to Australia's largest city is definitely a worthwhile item to include on the holiday itinerary, but Sydney, as with many other big cities throughout the world, comes with big city prices. As the costs of not only entertainment options but also accommodation, air tickets, fuel, car rental and more all start adding up, it makes it a difficult task for the budget to not quickly start blowing out of proportions.

Adding to this the extra costs for families who have to fork out hard-earned cash for their kids as well and it's understandable why someone would be looking for cheap things to do in Sydney. To help alleviate this, we've compiled a list of some of the best attractions, activities and things to do in Sydney for under $40 per person to hopefully assist those looking to get some great experiences while minimising expenses.

Here's the list:


5. Ten Pin Bowling

Location: 22 The Promenade, Sydney

Sydney's Strike Bowling Bar is a great and reliable day or night out, and has several lanes to accommodate groups of any size and also offers pool tables, a deluxe bar, private karaoke booths and more all under the one, convenient roof!

Grab some friends and family and either hit the lanes or mix things up with some drinks from the bar, shooting some pool, or sing your heart out in one of the facility's karaoke rooms.

Strike Bowling Bar Surfers Paradise Cheap things to do in Sydney

Image: Strike Bowling Bar

A great, social outing for when the rain is bucketing down or the budget is a little tighter than expected, Strike Bowling Bar offers plenty of entertainment options so that there is something to enjoy for everyone.

Prices:

  • 1 game: From $15
  • 2 games: From $25

4. Sydney Sights Walking Tour

Location: Elliott Ave, Parkville

What better way to get out and experience the many popular and famous sights of Sydney than on foot? With the added benefit of a bit of exercise, you'll see Sydney both on and off the tourist track with these entertaining guided walks through a number of Sydney's popular destinations.

Sydney walking tours cheap things to do in sydney

You can sign up for a tour of The Rocks district near Circular Quay, a tour of Kings Cross or a snorkelling and walking tour combo of Manly.

With a friendly Sydneysider as your guide, you'll see such essentials as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Customs House, the Royal Botanic Gardens and much more. For first-time visitors especially, there is no better way to introduce yourself to Sydney!

Prices:

  • Kids (5-16 years): From $12
  • Adults: From $28
Book Tours

3. SEA LIFE Manly

Location: West Esplanade, Manly

One of the best animal attractions in Sydney is, luckily, also one of the cheapest. SEA LIFE Manly has the added convenience of being easily reachable from anywhere in the city or CBD.

Fun for all ages, you'll see the wonders of the sea as you walk underwater garnering stunning views of the huge array of marine life on display.

SEA LIFE Manly Aquarium Cheap things to do in Sydney

Offering fun for all ages, SEA LIFE Manly contains some of the greatest creatures of the deep including sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles and seemingly endless other weird and wonderful animals.

Get up close and personal to many of the animals in the facility with Oceanworld's many interactive shows and guided tours; watch the sharks and fish get fed or even get your hands wet in the touch pool.

If you can't make your way out to Manly to visit the Aquarium, you can visit the sister aquarium; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, located on Darling Harbour, however, you will be paying a little more for the convenient location.

Prices:

  • Kids (4-15 years): $17
  • Adults: $25
Buy Tickets

2. Madame Tussauds Sydney

Location: Aquarium Wharf, 1-5 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour

This house of incredibly-lifelike, expertly-crafted representations of some of the world's most famous figures, both past and present. Home to stars such as Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Oprah Winfrey, you can snap selfies with some of the biggest stars of the big screen, small screen and music world as well as world leaders of now and before.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Sydney Cheap things to do in Sydney

Located on Darling Harbour next to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, you can purchase tickets to the museum on its own or you can combine it with entry to two of the above-mentioned attractions and save!

An attraction popular with adults and kids alike, you'll want to make sure you have enough space on your phone because the photo opportunities within this attraction are great!

Prices:

  • Kids (4-15 years): $26.60
  • Adults: $39.90
Buy Tickets

1. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Location: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour

One of the best value-for-money wildlife facilities in the country, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo lets you get acquainted with some of Australia's amazing wildlife right in the heard of the Sydney CBD.

Home to over 130 species of land animals, the facility contains all the iconic Aussie favourites including kangaroos and cute wallabies in their natural red desert habitat, koalas, parrots, frill-necked lizards, venomous spiders and snakes, and the amazing colours on display in the butterfly display.

Wild life sydney Zoo cheap things to do in sydney

With free keeper talks taking place throughout the day from 10am until 3:30pm, as well as regular feeding sessions, there is always something to see and do at WILDLife Sydney – all within the scope of a reasonable budget.

Prices:

  • Kids (4-15 years): $26.60
  • Adults: $39.90
Buy Tickets

In addition, if you're looking for more things to do in Sydney, be sure to check out our full region catalogue!

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