Located on Level 1 of the Macquarie Shopping Centre, Macquarie Ice Rink has been running for over 40 years in Sydney. The full-size Olympic rink hosts public skating, a bunch of cheap-skate sessions, plus a handy skate school for all ages, and kids' club. As the sun sets over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll experience a quintessential Sydney moment.
Join tonight’s bar crawl — local guides, great group atmosphere, and you’ll discover bars you’d never find alone. Sydney after dark is genuinely romantic—harbour views, intimate bars and that golden light that makes everything look like a movie. Whether you’re planning a first date or celebrating an anniversary, these spots will create the perfect atmosphere. Pub trivia brings out people’s competitive sides in the best possible way. These aren’t boring corporate quiz nights—they’re proper community events where regulars know each other’s strengths and newcomers are welcomed into teams with open arms. Book accommodation near Circular Quay now — harbour-view hotels book out interactive art sydney 6+ months ahead during festival season, and you’ll want to be walking distance from the action.
Whether you’re hiking, taking in the view from Echo Point, or exploring Jenolan Caves, it’s the ideal escape when you need some time to reconnect with nature. So cemeteries might not strike you as the first place to go walking about voluntarily, but let me tell you, they’re more than just resting places – they’re also steeped in history. It’s a hiker’s paradise with lush rainforests, coastal cliffs, and tranquil lagoons, and whether you’re after a short, scenic stroll or a full-day adventure, there’s a trail to suit everyone. Speaking of National Parks, Royal National Park, just south of Sydney, is another contender for the best place to find outdoor activities in Sydney. Located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, this lookout offers prime views of majestic humpback whales as they migrate along the coast.
Make a whole day of it with stops to catch a wave at Bronte, swim in the ocean pool at Clovelly or snorkel in Gordons Bay. More than 100 beaches line Sydney’s surrounding coast, ranging from tranquil bays to sweeping surf beaches. The famous waves of Bondi and Manly are perfect for swimming and bodysurfing, or you can seek out calmer waters at Coogee or Malabar. Harbour beaches are ideal for kids, with sheltered conditions and hardly any swell. Popular spots include Camp Cove, Parsley Bay, Chinamans Beach and Balmoral. Make it easy to explore Sydney and beyond by signing up to a tour.
Thankfully we have a comprehensive wet weather plan for all outdoor events in Sydney. You can choose to simply postpone to another date, or switch to an indoor activity (may require a venue). Gather the eggheads in your group and make for The Royal Hotel Paddington where this great Sydney quiz night takes over every Tuesday evening.
The scavenger hunt around the Museum of Sydney was an awesome thing to do. It turned sightseeing into an interactive experience we won't forget. This scavenger hunt through Downtown was one of the best things to do! The app made it easy to navigate and find interesting historical sites.
A day walking in the Royal National Park, just 30km south of the city centre makes a fun date for lovers of nature. This park is the oldest national park in the country and offers an enormous variety of tracks that suit everyone from beginners to those who love a challenge. What could be a better date for animal lovers than to visit one of the most beautiful zoos in the world?
If you have not been in Sydney long or are visiting, this is a great way to learn more about our past. The Fairfax walk at Manly’s North Head is a 1km-loop with a flat, paved walkway that still feels like a proper bushwalk and has stunning ocean and city views. If you have lighthouse fans in your group, catch the ferry to Watsons Bay and follow the South Head Heritage trail to the candy-striped Hornby Lighthouse. Older kids looking for adventure could tackle the 10km trail from Spit Bridge to Manly, where they’ll walk on paths, rocks and sandy beaches.
The Rocks Discovery Centre is free, family-friendly and is housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse. The exhibits are really well done making it feel like you are back time. Some of the exhibits do require an entrance fee, and these change every few months. It’s worth checking to see what is on when you get to each art gallery. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a funky building down by the water near Circular Quay. The Art Gallery of NSW is a collection of modern, indigenous and contemporary art displayed in a super cool classical-style building, founded in 1871.
The heart of the city provides an exciting urban playground for Amazing Race challenges and Treasure Hunts. Teams explore landmarks while developing collaboration skills in a dynamic environment. A saltwater crocodile named Rocky resides in the Kakadu Gorge zone, while the Daintree Rainforest exhibit replicates the fragile Far North Queensland habitat that’s home to the southern cassowary.
One of the primary advantages is the promotion of effective communication. Cooking together requires clear communication and coordination, creating an environment where team members learn to work seamlessly as a unit. This custom team trivia experience uses content about your people to create a truly unique trivia style virtual team building activity. Virtual team building contributes to improved morale and employee engagement. Participating in engaging online games, challenges, or collaborative projects fosters a positive work culture, boosting team spirit and camaraderie.
For teams planning offsites, retreats or large corporate gatherings, we also travel across Greater Sydney and regional NSW to deliver seamless experiences in venues, wineries, resorts and retreat locations. The Sydney Pass allows visitors to enjoy up to 40% savings while visiting Sydney’s top attractions. Choose from a list of over 20 experiences, including the Sydney Opera House tour, a Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney and Bondi Bus Tour, and admission to the Australian National Maritime Museum.
History lovers will easily spend an hour taking it all in – for others, a short visit might be enough. This small collection housed in a restored cottage displays many items uncovered from the area during development. You can also learn about the green bans that helped save these gorgeous streets from redevelopment. The staff are accommodating, and there are worksheets to engage young visitors. The early morning is a special time to experience the Royal Botanic Garden. I’m Free Walking Tours run a free evening walk around The Rocks, a perfect crash course in Australia’s colonial history.
Whether you’re a local looking to explore new spots or a visitor wanting to soak up the city’s natural beauty, we’ve been there and done that to give you a few handy pointers. From the cobbled laneways of The Rocks to the swish foreshore playground that is Barangaroo, our city streets are recognisable to — and frequented by — tourists and locals alike. And when it comes to shopping, the CBD delivers something for everyone (and every budget). Greenwich Baths on the Harbour is another one of Sydney’s best kept secrets. There’s a café by a netted harbour pool, plenty of clean sand for kids to dig about in, plus sun lounges and loads of beach toys for visitors to use. Make the outing even more fun by getting there on a Sydney Ferry – the Woolwich/Balmain route docks at Greenwich Point just metres from the baths.
5 best free and cheap things to do in Sydney according to locals
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