Free Sydney!

Urban and rugged, adventurous and chic, Sydney is a city that has it all. Its position as a booming global destination gives it a reputation for expensive taste, but the truth is that its down-to-earth design gives families plenty of opportunities to explore for free.

Go for a stroll across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, which joins the north and south parts of the harbor. One of the country's most recognizable structures, the bridge was the "epitome of modern bridge design and engineering ingenuity" at the time of its completion in 1932. Locals refer to it as the Coathanger.

Seeing a show at the Sydney Opera House might cost a pretty penny, but from outside the complex is free to explore. Walk along Circular Quay and up the Opera House steps for plenty of photographic opportunities and a close-up look at one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.

Almost all of Sydney's beaches are free, and they range from hopping chic hot spots to isolated escapes. Head to Bondi Beach, the city's most famous shoreline. From there, follow the Bondi to Bronte footpath, which will take you to Tamarama Beach (or "Glamarama" to locals).

Take in the 74-acre Royal Botanical Gardens—the oldest scientific institution in the country—with a free guided tour (reservations recommended). The gardens feature native and exotic plants, with an emphasis on Aboriginal heritage. Don't forget to look up once in a while to see the gardens' most curious residents, the 200,000 giant fruit bats, also known as flying foxes because of their size (they can have a three-foot wingspan). At sunset watch them take off over the harbor.

You can see almost all of Sydney Harbour's major landmarks (and more) on the Sydney Harbour Walk, a 16-mile footpath with 28 miles of optional. This extensive route takes 8 to 10 hours traveling solely on foot, but it's also easy to combine the footpath with public transportation to construct your own itinerary, hitting the places you want to see most.

Check out free films, performances, workshops, and roughly 29,000 works of art at the Art Gallery of NSW. There is no charge to view the museum's permanent collection, and it also offers complimentary guided tours. The gallery also has numerous kids’ activities, including tours by character guides like Ngununy, the Cheeky Fruit Bat.

Take in a mix of cultural heritage and sweeping modern design at the Customs House, originally built in 1845 and once the gateway for all trade in Australia. It is said to rest on the site where the native Aborigines watched the First Fleet land, bringing with it the English colonists who established the city. Today the building houses chic lounges, cafés, libraries, and multimedia displays. Housed under the glass floor is a detailed model of the city.

For a midday pause, the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney offers the Lunchbreak Series, a yearly program of 30-minute concerts by the school's best students. Entrance is by donation.