Dining out on a dime is one of this city's great thrills. Here are our picks for Sydney's best eats on a budget. We've tasted everything from banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles and vegan burgers without breaking the bank.
Sure, Sydney’s hella exxy, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find some cheap as chips things to do that won’t leave a big hole in your bank balance.
1. Climb some boulders harness free (don't worry, the padded floors promise a soft landing) at 9 Degrees in Alexandria. For just $25 you can nab a casual climb. $25
2. See a free gig at Phoenix Central Park. Even more intriguing than the impressive architectural design of this performance space, is the ticketing system. There is no monetary exchange required for the cutting-edge acts, you just need to enter a ballot and become one of the lucky winners. Free
3. Go for a dip at the heritage-listed Wylie’s Baths that sit below the Coogee coastal walkway. $6
4. Get moving with parkrun – a community-run 5-kilometre jog that takes place every Saturday morning at locations around the city. Free
5. Slurp down some epic noodle soup. We've rounded up our favourite bowls from around Sydney, here. From $15
6. Get a hit of the good feels that come with volunteering, by pitching in at Pocket City Farms for their Thursday and Saturday morning volunteering. $0
7. LOL all night long at the Running Joke on Level One of the Potts Point Hotel every Tuesday night. From $19
8. See the beaches on two wheels with a Cruiser Bike from Manly Bike Tours. $22 for an hour
9. Catch a $10 Sunday morning movie at Hoyts. At Hoyts cineams across the city (you'll find outposts at the Entertainment Quarter, Blacktown, Chatswood and beyond) you can score a movie ticket for a tenner before 12pm every Sunday. $10
10. Rent a kayak with Point Piper Kayak Centre. Use of a kayak on Sydney's magnificent harbour will set you back just $25 for an hour. $25
11. Take a picturesque tour of the elaborate Bare Island Fort, located in the La Perouse area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. Tours are generally on Sundays at 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm. $15
12. Ditch your inhibitions and get groovin’ at Groove Therapy, a one-hour dance class designed to make you feel good about yourself. $22
13. Take a ferry trip across the Harbour. Our favourite is the journey from Circular Quay to Manly. $7-$11
14. Take a free tour of one of Sydney’s stunning heritage buildings thanks to the Fullerton Hotel. These fascinating tours will guide you through the former Sydney General Post Office building, taking you back in time for less than it costs to catch the metro. Public tours run Tuesdays through Saturdays, starting at the Fullerton Hotel’s concierge desk at 11.45am. Free
15. Practice your strokes at Surry Hills’ impressive 50-metre Prince Alfred Park Pool, as seen below (open all year round and heated). $7.70
16. Up your cultcha with twenty five buck "Rush" tickets at the Griffin Theatre Company, available online and over the phone on a specified day each week (for that evening's performance). First in, first served. $25
17. Dig into a hefty serve of pad si-ew with stir fried fat noodles with chicken, egg and Chinese kale in a dark soy sauce at Chat Thai. $20
18. Swim and sauna at Sydney's most Instagrammable swimming pool; Icebergs. $10 for adults, $7 for children
19. Browse for vintage gems at one of Sydney's best markets. Free
20. Put on your Grand Designs cap and stickybeak at the incredible ’50s-era Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga (below). Free (open Sundays only)
21. Grab some mates and pig out at Flying Tong Chicken & Beer, one of Sydney's best spots for Korean Fried Chicken. $24 for a loaded bowl of original Flying Tong Fried Chicken
22. Get your art fix at Sydney's best art galleries. Many of Sydney's art galleries offer free exhbitions alongside paid shows. No time during the day? The Art Gallery of NSW opens on Wednesday evenings for Art After Hours. Free
23. Learn about the oceans of Eora (Sydney) and beyond at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Free entry
24. Are you game to be a comedian's first-time audience? Tickets for the Amateur Open Mic Night at the Laugh Inn (Newtown Hotel) start at $15. From $15
25. Surrender to the rhythm of the hip-swinging beats at Latin Dance Australia. $20 for a seven-day trial