Art Gallery of New South Wales

General entry is free (some exhibitions charge an entry fee). The gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm and until 10pm on Wednesdays, and is about a 15-minute walk from the city.

State Library of NSW

The reading rooms offer free wi-fi and free computer use, plus study rooms you can book – and the Library runs tours of its history, architecture and collections.

Beaches and the harbour

Explore Sydney Harbour and beaches such as Bondi and Manly. Swim only at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.

Travel cheaply at the weekend

With Opal or contactless payment, adult fares are capped at $9.65 a day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (October 2026) – a cheap way to explore further. Check transportnsw.info for current caps.

Sydney also has many free events – keep an eye on what is on near you.