You don’t have to spend a fortune to have an amazing time travelling around Australia. A trip Down Under isn’t cheap, but with the right choices, you can still keep your travels affordable. What many travellers don’t realise is that Australia is full of free (or almost free) activities, attractions and events, making it easy to save money while exploring the country. In this blog, I’ll share some of the best free things to do in Australia, including a few of my own personal experiences. Ready to travel more and spend less?
Free public transport
One of the easiest ways to save money while travelling around Australia is to make smart use of public transport. In several places across Australia, you can travel for free or at very low cost:
- Melbourne: Travel completely free within the Free Tram Zone in the city centre. This includes the iconic City Circle Tram, as well as some of the historic trams that operate around the city. It’s especially handy because Melbourne is quite a large city. For more information, visit Public Transport Victoria.
- Darwin: Public transport here is completely free, so you can explore much of the city without spending a cent on buses.
- Queensland: If you’re travelling around Queensland, public transport currently costs just 50 cents per journey, making it a great way to save money when exploring the cities or travelling between different destinations.
- Brisbane: Take a free ride along the river on the Brisbane City Council’s CityHopper.
- Sydney: You’ll never pay more than $50 per week for public transport in Sydney. If you use public transport regularly, you can reach this cap fairly quickly, after which you can travel for free for the rest of the week.
Go wildlife spotting
Australia is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, and the best part is that you can spot many of these animals without spending a cent.
- National parks: Australia is home to more than 500 national parks, most of which are free to visit. Go for a scenic walk or hike, discover just how vast and diverse Australia is, and you might even come face-to-face with some of the country’s incredible wildlife.
- Spot a platypus near Maleny (Queensland): Around 1.5 hours’ drive from Brisbane, you’ll find the Platypus Viewing Platform. With a little patience, especially around 3:30–4:00 pm, you have a good chance of spotting a platypus in the wild. Parking at the Beersheba Living Museum is free, and there’s no fee to access the viewing platform either. Read more about Maleny and spotting platypus
- Boondall Wetlands (Brisbane): This 1,100-hectare wetland area, around a 30-minute drive from Brisbane, is completely free to visit, including free parking. Keep an eye out for snakes, lizards, birds and fiddler crabs. The Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre also regularly offers free guided tours.
- Great Ocean Road (Victoria): During a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, you can spot koalas sitting high up in eucalyptus trees at several locations. Apart from the cost of getting there, it won’t cost you anything if you’re exploring the road independently.
Visit a local market
Australians love their markets, and you’ll find a great local market in almost every city or town. Take your time wandering around the stalls, browse unique finds and discover local products from the region. Visiting local markets is usually free and makes for a fun activity, although of course it’s easy to spend a little money once you spot something delicious.
Some markets also offer live music, workshops and even fireworks. These are some of my personal favourites in Australia: Eumundi Markets (Queensland), Mindil Beach Sunset Market (Northern Territory) and Adelaide Central Market (South Australia).
Go on an adventurous hike
Australia is the perfect country for hiking. Its vast landscapes and breathtaking coastlines make it a true paradise for hikers. Why not start your day with a beautiful coastal hike and take in some incredible views along the way?
Hiking is a fun and active way to explore more of your surroundings, and the best part is that it’s completely free. Discover some of the best hiking trails in Australia here.
Stay active with free outdoor sports
Besides hiking, there are plenty of other ways to stay active for free while travelling around Australia:
- Outdoor fitness: In many cities and parks, you’ll find free outdoor gyms with exercise equipment that anyone can use. It’s a great way to stay active without spending any money.
- Public fitness equipment: In Darwin, for example, you’ll find free exercise bikes at the Darwin Waterfront, perfect for getting in a good workout while enjoying the view.
- Pickleball: In Darwin, you can play a game of pickleball for free at the Darwin Waterfront. It’s a fun and easy-going way to stay active while meeting local people. And it’s not just Darwin, in other cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, you can also find free public courts where you can get active and enjoy a game outdoors.
Visit free museums
What many people don’t realise is that you can find plenty of free museums in cities across Australia:
- Brisbane: In Brisbane, you can easily visit two free museums in a single day. The Queensland Museum offers free entry, although there is a separate admission fee for the adjoining Sciencentre. Just a few minutes’ walk along the river, you’ll find QAGOMA, where both the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art offer free entry to their permanent collections and most exhibitions.
- Sydney: Sydney’s museum scene is about to change, with the Powerhouse Museum collection getting a brand-new, completely free-to-enter home. Powerhouse Parramatta is set to open its doors on 7 November 2026, with free entry to most exhibitions, while the familiar Ultimo location will remain closed for redevelopment until 2027. It’s also worth visiting the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, which is free to enter every day. The Art Gallery of NSW and the recently redeveloped Australian Museum are also free to enter, with admission fees permanently removed following its reopening.
- Melbourne: Melbourne is another great city for museum lovers on a budget. You can visit both the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) completely free of charge. The NGV is home to more than 70,000 works of art, from European masters such as Monet and Picasso to Australian and Asian art. Just keep in mind that some temporary exhibitions require a separate ticket.
- Darwin: If you’re in Darwin, don’t miss the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Entry is free, apart from selected temporary exhibitions. Inside, you can learn more about the devastating impact of Cyclone Tracy and see Sweetheart, the famous saltwater crocodile.
Enjoy free culture, festivals and fireworks
Australia is home to cultural festivals, events and regular fireworks displays throughout the year. You’ll find plenty of them in the country’s major cities, giving you the chance to experience Australian culture and enjoy a great day or evening out without spending a dollar.
For example, if you’re in Sydney in June, you can experience Vivid Sydney, the city’s famous festival of light that transforms Sydney with spectacular light installations and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
During Vivid Sydney, iconic buildings and landmarks across the city are brought to life with colourful light installations and moving projections. There are also plenty of light shows and other events to enjoy after dark. The best part? Most of the installations and shows are completely free to enjoy.
Wander through the botanic gardens
Almost every major city in Australia has beautifully landscaped botanic gardens where you can take a leisurely stroll, slow down and relax. They’re a great place to discover exotic plants and learn more about Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, for example, are spacious, beautifully maintained and well worth spending a few hours exploring. And the best part? It won’t cost you a thing!
Go on a street art tour
If you love art and colour, Australia’s cities have plenty to offer. In many places, you can discover incredible street art, from the colourful laneways of Fitzroy and Collingwood in Melbourne to the annual Street Art Festival in Darwin.
Why not create your own walking route and explore some of the city’s best street art along the way? The great thing about street art is that it’s free, outdoors and accessible to everyone.
See iconic landmarks for free
You don’t need to buy a ticket to experience some of Australia’s most famous sights. There are plenty of iconic places you can simply walk around and enjoy for free.
Sydney
- Mrs Macquarie’s Chair: This famous bench, carved into the sandstone rock, is one of my favourite spots in Sydney. From here, you get an amazing view of both the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. And yes, it’s completely free!
- Sydney Opera House & Circular Quay: You don’t need to book a show to see the famous Opera House up close. Take a walk around the Opera House and along the harbour at Circular Quay, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge right behind it. It’s one of those places you simply have to see when visiting Sydney.
- The Rocks: Take a stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets of this historic neighbourhood at the foot of the Harbour Bridge. You’ll find old colonial buildings, street performers and plenty of little corners to explore along the way.
Brisbane
- South Bank: Cool off at Streets Beach, Brisbane’s free man-made beach and city lagoon right on the river. You’ll have the Story Bridge and Brisbane’s skyline as your backdrop.
- Roma Street Parkland: Just a short walk from the city centre, this beautiful subtropical park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Entry is completely free, and you can wander past ponds, colourful gardens and sculptures while enjoying views of Brisbane’s skyline.
- Mount Coot-tha Lookout: Just a short drive from the city centre, Mount Coot-tha Lookout offers sweeping views across Brisbane. On a clear day, you can see everything from the CBD to the Glass House Mountains in the distance.
Perth
- Kings Park & Botanic Garden: One of the largest city parks in the world, with stunning views across the Perth skyline and the Swan River. It’s the perfect place to go for a walk, relax and take in the views — completely free.
- Cottesloe Beach: There’s no entry fee for this iconic beach. Simply grab your towel, find a spot on the sand and enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
- Elizabeth Quay: One of Perth’s most scenic spots. Take a free walk along the waterfront, check out the Bell Tower and cross the pedestrian bridge over the water while taking in the city views.
TIP: Save on food and drinks with the Pass
Do you regularly eat out or grab a drink at pubs and bars in Australia? Then do what I do and download The Pass, the free loyalty app from Australian Venue Co. It’s available at more than 200 pubs and bars across the country.
You earn 10 points for every dollar you spend (1,000 points = $10 credit), and with a welcome code, you can also get some free credit to get you started.
I use the app every week and have already saved quite a bit on food and drinks. What I really like about The Pass is that you keep earning points and can move up through different levels, unlocking even more free credits and giving you even more ways to save.
🎁 Tip: In addition to the free $10 welcome credit, get 500 FREE points with The Pass when you sign up using my personal referral code: 7VXJB87DRM
Download The Pass now using my personal link
Free tap water and public toilets
It may seem like a small thing, but it can definitely help keep your travel budget down. When eating out in Australia, you’ll almost always get free tap water with your meal. Just ask for it.
So if you’re eating out, you can easily save a little by skipping the soft drink or other paid beverages and sticking with the free water provided with your meal.
Another handy thing to know is that public toilets are free to use across Australia, so you won’t have to worry about paying when nature calls.
More free things to do in Australia?
If I come across more great tips for free things to do in Australia, I’ll keep adding them to this list. In the meantime, I hope you have an amazing trip around Australia and enjoy exploring everything this incredible country has to offer!
