Sydney can be a very expensive city. You can easily spend $100 a day or more as a visitor. But it doesn't have to be that way.

I
am about to give you loads of great things to do in this vibrant city
that will fill your days but not empty your pockets. I have put
together a list of Sydney's top 15 attractions that won't cost you
anything to experience them.

15. Wander around The RocksThe Rocks is the oldest part of Sydney and also the most visited. This is where the 10 square rigged sailing ships of the First Fleet landed in 1788 with their cargo of 1400 men, women and children - more than half of them convicts.The Rocks is an easy, 10 minute stroll from the CBD. The main entry point is George St., which was also the first street in Australia.This
part of Sydney features the oldest remaining European structure in
Sydney (Dawes Point Battery built in 1791, as well as great little
pubs, open air markets on weekends and some of the best restaurants and
cafes in Sydney.14. Walk across the Sydney Harbour BridgeWhile a private company charges a small fortune to walk over the top
of the arch of this iconic bridge, you can still get breath-taking and
beautiful views from the road level while walking across the pedestrian
walkway on the eastern side.With views of Circular Quay, The Opera House, Fort Denison, Middle Harbour and North Sydney
everywhere you look, this stroll should take about 30 minutes depending
on how many times you stop to take that fantastic photo.You can access the pedestrian walkway on the bridge from Milsons Point in the north or from The Rocks on the southern side.

13. Take in the Art Gallery of New South Wales in The DomainOpen
from 10am to 5pm every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day (and
until 9pm on Wednesdays) this is the premier museum and collection of
art in Sydney. With over 40 formal exhibitions every year, artworks
started to be purchased for this gallery back in 1874.The gallery is situated in The Domain which is adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, an easy 5 minute walk from Macquarie St. or Hyde Park.12. Wander around Darling HarbourOne of the newer precincts in the inner city, Darling Harbour really came into its own during the Olympics that were held in Sydney in 2000.Now one of the major tourist attractions on its own, Darling Harbour features hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and Tumbalong Park with its ampitheatre and free music and events held most weekends.11. Museum of Contemporary Art, The RocksThis
museum is the sole gatherer of contemporary art from across the country
and also from around the world in the whole of Australia. While some
pieces might have you scratching your head, others are beautiful,
powerful and creative.The Museum is situated at Circular Quay West in The Rocks and offers guided tours Monday to Friday at 11am and 1pm and on the weekends at 12 noon and 130pm.10. Parliament HouseMembers
of the public can sit and watch the leaders of the state squabble,
bicker, scream at and berate each other during sitting sessions of the
parliament.There are conducted tours (booking essential) which
run for 60-90 minutes and give a very details history of the building
and the different governments over the years.Parliament House is on Macquarie St. and is open from 9am to 5pm every weekday.9. Sydney's BeachesWith
more than 30 world class beaches to choose from, beachlovers are spoilt
for choice in Sydney - and they are all cost absolutely nothing!The beaches are basically split into three geographic sections: the Northern Beaches including Manly and Avalon where the soap opera Home and Away is filmed, the Eastern Suburbs Beaches including the famous Bondi Beach, and the Southern Beaches like Wanda and Cronulla.8. Government HouseBuilt
between 1837 and 1845, the Gothic Revival architecture of Government
House makes the building appear even more stately than it already is.
Built to house the Governor of NSW and also used for visiting royalty
and heads of state, the mansion is filled with beautiful furnishings
from the 19th and 20th centuries.Sometimes the house is closed
when the Governor hosts Vice-Regal functions but otherwise it is open
Friday to Sunday from 1030am to 3pm for guided tours only. The
spectacular grounds (perhaps the best part of the site) are open daily
from 10am to 4pm.7. Queen Victoria Building

Known
by Sydney-siders as simply the QVB, this magnificent example of
Romanesque architecture was completed in 1898. The building was erected
on the site of the former markets and was dedicated to the
long-reigning English monarch.

It started its life as a concert
hall and has since had many different incarnations: warehouses, display
rooms, offices and most recently it has been remodelled to house many
boutique retail stores. It is worth a look inside for the elegant vibe
and beautiful ornate interior.

6. Centennial ParkThis
huge park very close to the centre of Sydney was opened in 1888 and was
the site where the Federation of Australia was first declared in 1901.
Once inside the vast and peaceful parklands, it is easy to see why it
attracts more than five million visits every year.

Regularly the
venue for concerts and other large displays, the original traffic of
horse and carriages has been replaced by the legion of joggers,
cyclists, horse riders and wanderers that visit the park each day.

5. St. Mary's CathedralThe
largest Catholic Cathedral in the country is also one of the most
spectacular and peaceful. The foundation stone was laid by Governor Macquarie in 1821, and construction of the present-day building was completed in 1928.

The cathedral is open every day and guided tours are conducted for free every Sunday after 1030am.

4. Australian National Maritime MuseumThe Australian National Maritime Museum is located in Darling Harbour.

The
Museum Ticket costs nothing and includes access to all the galleries
and the special exhibitions, the Maritime Heritage Centre and Wharf 7,
the North Whard and Marina where the small fleet of historic vessels
are moored and the relocated Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse. The Museum is open from 930 to 5pm every day except Christmas Day.

3. Sydney Opera HouseProbably
the most recognisable landmark in Sydney for the last 30 years, the
Opera House contains several concert and opera halls and has daily
performances by some of the most acclaimed performers in the world.

Guided
tours have a small fee but you can wander around most of the interior
and all of the exterior for nothing any day of the week.

2. Bondi to Coogee WalkThis
popular walk is probably the best way to immerse yourself in the
atmosphere of the beach life as well as take in spectacular views and
get some sun at the some time!

The walk begins at Bondi Beach and head south around the headland to Tamarama Beach, then Bronte Beach, past Waverley Cemetery with its dramatic cliff-side location, Clovelly Beach and then to Coogee.

The walk isn't physically difficult and there are plenty of places along the way to have a swim and cool off.

1. The Royal Botanic GardensIn my opinion, the single most underrated tourist attraction in Sydney also has no charge.

The
Royal Botanic Gardens are open every day of the year. They have a
strange serenity and silence about them despite being literally in the
middle of this bustling city.

Guided walks with no cost take place at 1030am every day and go for about 90 minutes.

The
Gardens encourage visitors to "Please walk on the grass! We also invite
you to smell the roses, hug the trees, talk to the birds and picnic on
the lawns" and I would encourage you to also. Every time I wander
through the Gardens I am amazed at how beautiful (and empty of
visitors) the place is. Check them out - you won't be disappointed.

So there you go. You CAN
have fun and see lots of great things in Sydney without paying huge
admission fees everywhere. So but your walking shoes on, take your
camera and get amongst it!

Nicholas has spent years away from his beloved Australia in a questto find the world's most deserted beach, best dive site and cheapestbeer. He is still on the lookout. He is an Independent TravelBroker and editor of independent travel news resource,Aussie Escape and has his own blog Where Is Bowdo?