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 less than $25 you can nab a casual climb. $24
2. Connect to country with an Indigenous guided walking tour at Dharawal National Park in Campbelltown. The walk generally happens every month – confirm dates and details and make your booking here. $15
3. Go for a dip at the heritage-listed Wylie’s Baths that sit below the Coogee coastal walkway. $6
4. Nab purr-fect coffee and meow-nificent cookies with the Catstronauts at Surry Hills’ Catmosphere Cat Café. $24 for weekday entry to the Cat Lounge
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. Tuck into a sweet and fluffy tower of soufflé-pancakes at the Australian outpost of the widely popular Japanese chain, Gram, in Chatswood. $19.80
10. Work up a sweat with in a group fitness class for zero dollars with Live Life, Get Active. They run yoga, boxing and cross-training classes around Sydney for free. Yep, free. $0
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. Get the perfect Insta snap at Pylon beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. $0-$24.95
14. Eat up at Enmore’s favourite Lebanese joint Emma’s Snack Bar, where you can fill up on Moorish Chicken, marinated in tangy spices and grilled in Lebanese bread with shaved red onion. Yum. $25
15. Practice your strokes at Surry Hills’ impressive 50-metre Prince Alfred Park Pool, as seen below (open all year round and heated). $7.50
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. $9 for adults, $6 for children
19. Or if ice is more your speed, head over to the Macquarie Ice Rink for "discount hour" between 4pm and 5pm daily. $19 per person (including skate hire)
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. $23 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. Free
23. Learn about the 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 $7. From $7
25. Surrender to the rhythm of the hip-swinging beats at Latin Dance Australia. $20 for a 7-day trial