Sydney Australia as a Budget Backpacker

Australia on a Budget

Australia is no stranger to budget backpackers, but these nomadic travelers are not usually going to be drinking beers all day on the beach and spending their nights at the clubs. Many of the people traveling on a shoestring in Australia visit the country after gallivanting through South East Asia and are looking for ways to earn money before heading back out into the world. With the Working Holiday program, young people from select countries and live and work in Australia without having to worry about spending money on day to day expenses.

But if you are not looking to stay in Australia for an extended amount of time, is it still possible to explore Sydney and the rest of the country as a budget backpacker? The answer is not that simple. Even in Australia’s largest city, traveling heap in Sydney is a daily battle. With many of the hostels costing over 20 dollars a day, you will quickly find that what you were able to live off of for months in Vietnam is being spent in a couple of days in Australia. But if you are really looking to go down under and explore Australia, what are some things you do for free in Sydney?

Wanting to cross the ocean and visit New Zealand? Read about traveling to Auckland on a budget here!

The Face of Sydney

No matter how much off the beaten path in Sydney you want to get, the temptation will be too great not to head directly to the Sydney Opera House. Other than perhaps kangaroos, this iconic landmark is the first thing that comes to mind when your average person beings to conjure up images of Australia. While viewing the opera house from the outside is free to the public, lots of the extra activities such as attending one of the concerts, getting a backstage tour, and even eating at the Opera Kitchen & Bar will cost an arm and a leg. So is traveling to the Sydney Opera House worth it?

The bottom line is that most people don’t know the Sydney Opera House for hosting concerts, as ironic as that sounds. The structure itself is the attraction, and you can’t really soak in the beauty of its white sails while you are inside of the building. The best places to view the Sydney Opera House are actually on the other side of the bay. Here you can grab a park bench and watch the boats go back and forth across Sydney Harbor. You may even be able to catch some of the street performers playing music and captivating crowds with their tricks before you move on to wander the rest of Sydney.

As a world traveler you are bound to end up in Hong Kong. Read about taking the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau here!

What to do at the Circular Quay

Circular Quay is so much more than just the Sydney Opera House. This district is the focal point of the entire city, connecting the CBD, historic, and all the other major neighborhoods throughout Sydney. With both the main ferry terminal and the bus terminal located in Circular Quay, no matter how far out your Air BnB or hostel is, you can be sure to find a ride to downtown Sydney. After you are naturally drawn to the Opera House, you can then explore all the rest of what the city center has to offer.

Located on the opposite side of the quay from the Opera House, you will find the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art, although one of the more popular destinations in the area, backpackers may find the entrance fee to be outside of their budget being 15 AUD for adults. The other obvious attraction that you can not miss in the Circular Quay is the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Often seen peeking over the chimneys of the historic neighborhoods in Sydney, one of the best places to actually view the bridge is from the ferry. With many services taking you throughout Sydney, you can grab a ferry to Darling Harbor from Circular Quay for only 6.12 AUD.

Are you heading to Spain? Read about exploring some of the best sites in Barcelona here!

Sydney Urban Exploring

Outside of the Circular Quay you will find the more metropolitan and diverse side of Sydney. Unless you got a hole in your favorite shoes or ripped on of your jackets, you will have no much need for all of the brand-name stores that occupy a lot of the CBD. Although it is an integral part of the local culture backpackers on a budget traveling to Sydney will not have much need to explore the more ritzy side of the city. The only exception would be the Queen Victoria building which is a noted heritage site downtown. What you will find in the heart of the Sydney CBD is the Sydney Tower. The cost to go up the Sydney Tower Eye is 19 AUD, but you can get just as interesting views from around the base.

For more budget prices and quicky knickknacks, you can get a taste of a different side of Sydney’s unique culture at Paddy’s Market and Haymarket. Even if you are not looking to purchase some cheeky souvenirs it is still worth a walk through before you visit the more appealing Chinatown nearby. Noted as being the largest Chinatown in Australia, this lively neighborhood is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for whatever Asian snacks and dishes you left behind before visiting Sydney. Other than the cheap shops and restaurants, you will find little to do in this area than just take a long stroll and watch life go by.

One of the best day trips from Auckland is to Hobbiton. Read more about traveling to this movie set here!

Best Parks in Sydney

While traveling to Sydney on a budget, you will find that the biggest thing to do is simply wander the streets and take in the local culture. Unlike destinations in South and East Asia, you will not find colorful worships or elaborate temples whose celebrations take to the streets. A lot of the essence of these modern Western cities can only be found if you slow down your pace and smell the roses. There is no better place to do that in Sydney than one of the parks spread out throughout the city.

One of the most famous parks which you are bound to walk through is Hyde Park, located right by the CBD. With St. Mary’s Cathedral and the ANZAC War Memorial situated inside the park, picking a bench and watching life go by is one of the best ways to take in the city. Other than Hyde Park, some of the other best parks in Sydney are the Royal Botanical Gardens, Barangaroo Reserve, and Bronte Park.

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The Beaches of Sydney

Rivaling the likes of California, Sydney played a major role in molding what today is known as beach and skate culture. The parties and music of Bondi Beach are that of legend. With a skate park in views of the golden sands and cascading blue waters where surfers paddle out to catch the next wave, there is no scene quite like what you will witness on Bondi. With clubs, bars, and artsy coffee shops lining the streets, you could easily spend several days lounging and exploring Bondi.

Other than the thriving youth culture on Sydney’s most popular beach of Bondi, you can also find quieter, less crowded stretches of sand throughout the city. One of the best beaches in Sydney you can start exploring from is Coogee Beach. Much more relaxing than its lively neighbor, you can also hike the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk and take in more of the natural side of the city.  The likes of Manly Beach and Bronte Beach also top the list of the best places to spread out a towel and watch the tide come in. To immerse yourself in the authentic unique culture of Sydney, you will have to start at the beaches.

Thinking of heading to Italy? Read my take on experiencing Florence here!

Quirky Darlinghurst

Sydney is not merely a city, the limits of this metropolis extend far and wide incorporating many towns and neighborhoods. Just because you are staying in Sydney, does not necessarily mean that you will be within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House. Out of all the many areas of Sydney, not one neighborhood compares with Sydney’s art district of Darlinghurst. Noted as being the LGBTQ neighborhood of Sydney and made famous for their yearly Gay Mardi Gras, Darlinghurst is a part of town there something new is happening practically every day.

The colorful facades of the shops and street art randomly displayed on the side of buildings further immerse visitors in the artsy and quirky vibes of Darlinghurst. During the day you will find loads of hipster coffee shops, used bookstores, and even museums to pass the time until night falls. When it gets dark out, the lights turn on in the many bars and clubs that call Darlinghurst home. Regardless if you are looking to party or just take in a bit of the local culture, this neighborhood is a must for those wanting to experience all sides of Sydney.

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Day Trip From Sydney to the Blue Mountains

Like many countries around the world, you did not travel to Australia to stay in the city. Much of the charm and adventures to be had in the country are off the beaten track and in the wilderness of the outback. This is difficult if you do not have your own method of transportation, but from Sydney you can still take a day trip to the Blue Ridge National Park. Noted as being one of the best day trips from Sydney, you can get from Sydney to Katoomba in under 2 hours for just 6.08 AUD on non-peak hours during the weekdays.

Katoomba is a small mountain town of fewer than 8,000 people. Walking down the quaint streets and window shopping is entertaining in itself, but the reason you ventured away from the city was to get in touch with nature. Within walking distance of the train station you will find the Three Sisters and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge National Park. From Katoomba, you will find various hikes and even a cable car that will have you taking in different views of the valley. But without staying overnight, you will have little time to explore much of the park.

Singapore is another expensive country for backpackers. Read more about traveling to Singapore here!

Traveling to Sydney as a Backpacker

Traveling to Sydney on a budget is not easy. For all of you solo backpackers, paying for a hostel and food every night is more than enough to already have your wallet bleeding dry. But if you are deadset on exploring Australia and are willing to bite the bullet, there is more than enough thing to do in Sydney for free. With loads of parks, markets, and beaches to stroll through and people-watch in, you can start to get a sense of what daily Australian life is like.

Much like many western cities, Sydney is a place that is far better to visit than to travel to. If you were to rent an apartment or a room in the suburbs, you will have a lively art culture and diverse community waiting outside of your door. But as a backpacker, you will find little to do other than wandering the parks and beaches. Although Sydney has its own charm, you may find little to do in the city other than sitting on a park bench and drinking.