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Sydney Recommendations

Our recommendations on what to do in sydney.

We are working on making these more tailored for you, but until then here are some of our local recommendations.

As Sydneysiders we love exploring our city and finding new ways to enjoy it. We also understand it can be hard to know where to go and what to do. So we’ve put together these local, unpaid and unbiased recommendations to help you get the most out of your stay here and begin to love Sydney just as much as we do.

We try to keep this as up-to-date as humanly possible, but with Covid, things may not be 100% accurate, so please do a quick google check, I’d hate for you to waste your time on something fun that is no longer there!

• Opera House to Botanic Gardens / Mrs Macquaries Chair walk (2-3 hours) – Walk around the Opera House forecourt, around through Farm Cove (along the Harbour) to Mrs Mac Chair. TIP: take a picnic and watch the sunset.
• Spit Bridge to Manly Walk (half day – 10km, 3.5-4 hours, and my favourite walk in Sydney) – Take the bus from Wynyard Station to the Spit Bridge and go for a beautiful winding coastal walk, stopping at various lookouts, on the way to Manly. Catch a ferry (at sunset) or bus back to the city after grabbing some fish and chips (Manly Fish Market is the best) and a beer or two at the 4 Pines Brewery. Spit to Manly Map and Route   If you’re short of time, just catch the ferry to Manly $15.80AUD round trip using the Opal Card, 30 min ferry ride from Wharf 3 in Circular Quay. Walk 10 minutes along the corso (follow everyone else) and swim between the flags at a beautiful beach. TIP: walk to Shelly beach (10 min and go snorkeling) or walk along the headland.
• Bondi To Coogee Walk (half day, easy walk) – around $8.40AUD Round trip using the Opal Card , 30 mins bus and 1.5 hour walk. Catch a bus to Bondi or Coogee walk along the cliff face (easy path to find). TIP: head up Kelewis St in Bondi for food or Pavillion rooftop in Coogee. This really is a stunning walk – it’s a must-do for a reason!
• Watson’s Bay Ferry  (half day) – around $10.40AUD Round trip 40 min, Wharf 4 in Circular Quay. Have fish and Chips by the harbour and walk to the Gap lookout (10 min walk). TIP: Ferry stops around 5pm on a weekday but just catch the bus back into the city.
• Newtown! (evening) – Great for local shops, second hand clothing, food and drinks. This is where we hang out, and my cool friends live. TIP: Marys for dinner (sit upstairs), Courthouse for a drink and Websters for the rooftop. More tips below.
• Any tour in the Royal Botanical Gardens – https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Visit/Tour-and-activities
• Aboriginal Cultural Tour (Barangaroo – 90 minutes) – Learn about the Indigenous history of Sydney and it’s amazing original inhabitants from some Aboriginal guides. Aboriginal Cultural Tours

Off the beaten path

• Wendy’s Secret Garden (1.5 hours)  – Walk across the Harbour Bridge, past Luna Park Boardwalk to Lavender Bay. Up the stairs is the best secret Gardens in Sydney. TIP: Take a picnic and look out for the Brush Turkeys.
• The Inner West Ale Trail – Visit some of Sydney’s best craft breweries in the cool area of the Inner West (maybe I’m a little bit biased because I live here!) Here is a map showing each of the breweries.
• Hunter Valley – Our excellent wine region. Hard to reach except by car. BUT you can do a wine tour – generally $120-150AUD from Sydney for a full day. Amazing wines – Pig’s Peake is wonderful, more expensive, but AMAZING – try the “Pig Juice” and “Little Pig”; also Lucy’s Run is great.
• Blue Mountains – Really easy by train or Car, $15.80AUD round trip by train using Opal Card, 2.15 hours from Central Station to Katoomba. 30 min walk to Echo Pt down Echo Pt Rd or catch the 686 public bus (also inc. in Opal card). TIP: wait until sunset all the tourist buses will leave and you’ll have the view to yourself. There’s also a tourist info centre near the station. Rodriguez Pass is an amazing walk to Evans lookout but only accessible via car.
• Northern beaches (Mona Vale, Newport, Whale, Palm, Avalon, Collaroy, Dee Why) – harder to reach than Bondi or Coogee, but better, more beautiful, great surf, and good fish and chips nearby. Could spend a day beach hopping along them. Our favourite = Whale Beach
• Balmoral – Very picturesque harbour beach (no surf/waves), next to a park, with lovely views out to the harbour and rocks to go climbing on.
• Congwong – A bit further south with views across Botany Bay and surrounded by bushland. Accessible by bus from the city.

Where to eat

First of all, go to any bar or pub, and have our adopted national dish – chicken schnitty (schnitzel) or chicken parmi (parmigiana). Plenty of places have a cheap schnitty day, just keep your eyes open and you’ll find one!

LOW – MEDIUM COST ($15 – 30AUD)

Also see pubs for food. These are all great for vegetarians.

Sydney Centre / Chippendale:

• Home Thai – Sussex St (behind Town Hall), BYO wine, nice venue, great food TIP: try their penang salmon and their salads
• Chinese Noodle Restaurant (not House) – BYO beer and wine, doddy dumpling famous place. TIP: eggplant in Special sauce.
• Spice Alley – Central Park Chippendale laneway, BYO beer and wine laneway TIP: KOI for Dessert

The Rocks/Circular Quay

• Bar Luca – Near Circular Quay. Burgers to rival Mary’s Burgers – particularly their Indian and MacDaddy burgers.
• The Rocks Cafe – I have it on good authority that their pancakes are excellent!

Darling Harbour:

• Fratelli Fresh – happy hour Monday – Friday from 4 – 6pm (includes great pizzas and drinks)
• Meat District Co. – crocodile burger on an avocado bun $22. Everything else a bit more $$$

Surry Hills / Darlinghurst:   

• Spice I am – Wentworth St, BYO wine, Thai TIP: signature dishes – Crispy Pork belly
• Suzuya – Devonshire St, BYO wine, Japanese
• Yullis – Crown St, Veggie and great craft beer
• Vacanza – Authentic Pizza, BYO wine, TIP: try the fungi pizza
• Buffalo dining Club – Surrey St Darlinghurst, Italian 

Newtown / Enmore:

• Cairo – Egyptian very popular, amazing! BYO wine. TIP: Charcoal chicken plate!!!
• Mary’s burgers – Fried chicken and burgers TIP: sit upstairs for table service
• Atom Thai – Thai great for veggies, BYO Wine TIP: betel leaf

FANCY ($30AUD+)

Sydney Centre:

• Cafe Sydney – Customs House rooftop, Great view and iconic venue. Hard to get into but worth a try.
• Mr Wongs – Tank stream way, Melt in your mouth dumplings (above Palmer and co)
• Bloodwood – Enmore Rd, Hipster Aussie food
• Stinking Bishop- Enmore Rd, Fancy cheese for dinner. (next door is awesome dumplings and Gelato)

Sydney Centre hidden bars:

• Baxters Inn – Whiskey, – must look on phone, very hidden, TIP: watchout for the fake one to the left down the lane, It’s actually to your right near the kegs of beer.
• Frankies – Hunter St, Beer and Pizza, Hidden Whiskey bar out the back: Hidden bar out the back of a pizza shop.
• Uncle Mings – York St, near Wynyard Station, great Chinese food and bar..
• Palmer & Co – Cocktails, Abercrombie Lane, fancy cocktails and piano
• Old Mates Place- 199 Clarence St, Great rooftop, no name on door: just a green door with ‘199’ on it. Go up 4 levels. AWESOME!
• Duke of Clarence – Laneway, 152, 156 Clarence St (between Town Hall and Wynyard) Great little bar – very English.

Woolloomooloo:

• The Old Fitzroy Hotel – Intimate 2-storey bar and theatre venue with exposed-brick walls, comfy sofas and bistro dining. According to my friend, “one of the best menus ever – shockingly wonderful treacle tart.”

Surry Hills / Darlinghurst:

• Dolphin Hotel – Crown St, fancy pub.
• El Loco Excelsior Hotel – Pub with Tacos and beer pumping on a Thurs – Sat.
• Shady Pines Saloon – Low-lit, cowboy-themed hot-spot with specialty whiskeys, craft ales, sarsaparilla and peanut snacks.
• Bearded Tit – Vibrant bar and art space with quirky decor, including wall-mounted animal heads and gilt mirrors.
• Earl Juke Joint – King st, Sign Says ‘Butcher’
• Midnight Special – Enmore Rd, small local bar
• The Bank (back) – King St, Craft beer out the back back and music / dancing upstairs
• Courthouse (courty) – Australia St, Good pub food local favourite courtyard.

Rooftop Bars

• Glenmore Hotel – The Rocks, Get there early around 4pm if you want a good spot. $10 burgers on Tuesdays.
• Palisade – The Rocks, Fancy rooftop on level 7 overlooking the harbour – GREAT VIEW, we love this one!
• Websters – Newtown, Great happy hour and cheap food Mon – Thurs.
• The Royal Hotel – Paddington, great local spot
• The Library Bar – Up on the rooftop of the State Library, enjoy a stunning view whilst enjoying some good cocktails. Wed-Sat 4pm-10pm
• Opera Bar – music on the harbour under the sails of the Opera House
• Since I left you – Thursdays from 8pm in their laneway.

Dance venues

• Frankies – Hunter St, Beer and Pizza, Hidden Whiskey bar out the back: Hidden bar out the back of a pizza shop. Rock music
• Fredas – Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Fri -Sat $15 entry and great local live music and Djs.
• Standard bowl – Kinselas Hotel, Taylor Square, Oxford St, top level Fri – Sat.
• The Establishment – George St, Tuesday night is Salsa night

I love cooking kangaroo, and if there’s a kangaroo burger on the menu, you know I’m definitely ordering it! Pro tip: maybe don’t have a steak for your first experience of kangaroo. Burgers or pizza is a much gentler introduction!

• Pizza: Australian hotel in the Rocks, surprisingly nice! $28
• Steak/tenders: Meat District Co., AND Blackbird Cafe, delicious BUT expensive $35 AND $37
• Burger: Moo Gourmet Burgers, 1 in Manly, 1 in Newtown (vv close to the city, and fun area in general) $16.95
• On skewer: The Rocks Market 10-4pm Fri – Sat $6; Pony Dining, $28 (fine dining)
• Woolworths/Coles (not every outlet): Recipe for Kangaroo rissoles/burger patties: 500kg Kangaroo mince from Woolworths ($12), 1 egg (beaten), some garlic, big dollop of tomato sauce and mustard seeds, salt and pepper, bread crumbs. Mix it all up together with your hands and roll into rissoles or patties. Barbeque and have as a normal burger. For the full Aussie burger, add cheese, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, egg, pineapple, onion.

Hopefully these tips help you get started in Sydney, but if you want to learn more make sure to join us on a free Sydney walking tour. We’ll see you soon.

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Time Out says

Hit up 27 Sydney sites in one free walking tour

If you live in Sydney, a three-hour walking tour around the CBD may sound like a chore rather than a fun thing to do on your day off. But if you have visitors in town, this is a free way to check off many of the city’s historical sites in one go – and there’s a fact-filled guide to do all the talking. To join a tour, simply go to Town Hall at 10.30am or 2.30pm on any day of the week and look for the people wearing green ‘I’m Free’ T-shirts. Wear comfortable shoes as this really is a walking tour and it includes sites like Customs House, Sydney’s oldest cemetery and underground tunnels. You’ll learn why the Queen Victoria Building has a talking dog fountain, why Town Hall faces the wrong way and why the ‘Rum’ Hospital is named after booze.

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Discover a sunny culture in Sydney

Sydney, Australia is the capital of New South Wales and one of the greatest places to visit if you’re looking for an urban-beach getaway. On one hand, there are amazing activities and sights to see on and near the water. Cruise along the harbor and spot the spectacular Sydney Opera House, swim in an ocean pool with views of the beach and sky, and of course, try your hand at surfing on Bondi beach. Visit Coogee and Watson’s Bay for an even more laid-back atmosphere just outside of the centre with tons of restaurants and bars.

The food and nightlife are symbolic of the amazing personalities of the locals as well. Whether you’re looking for traditional foods from all over the world or wanting to try new and innovative menus at award-winning restaurants, you can’t be disappointed. If the timing of your trip is right, take part in Sydney’s iconic New Year’s celebration by counting down anywhere in the city and be amazed by the extraordinary fireworks display.

Other must-see attractions for anyone: stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens, meet kangaroos and koalas at the zoo, and climb to the top of Harbour Bridge for the best views of the city. No matter what type of holiday you’re on, Sydney is a great option for any season of the year. And with free walking tours with Freetour.com, you are guaranteed a sunny time.

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Eight Free Sydney Walking Tours: Six Historic Self-Guided and Two Free Guided Tours

Posted by Lauren | Expat Life in Sydney

This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Thank you for supporting Sydney Moving Guide and keeping the lights on.

Table of Contents

Six Free Historic Self-Guided Sydney Walking Tours

Sydney moving guide's very own free walking tour of sydney's cbd.

That's right. I've written my very own walking tour of Sydney's CBD . I've included a free downloadable PDF.

The walk starts at the David Jones food hall, then loops around to Circular Quay, then on to the Royal Botanic Gardens. After the gardens, the tour wanders over to Woolloomooloo wharf then back to the NSW Art Gallery. The walking tour then ends at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

It's an easy walk and, as I already said, it's FREE.

Powerhouse Museum Walking Tours App For iPhone and Android

There are five free self-guided walking tours included in the Powerhouse Museum app with the option to purchase the Sydney Heritage Pub Crawl walk for $1.99, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Each of the walks includes narration by museum curators Anni Turnbull or Geoff Barker.

The three walks that cover old Sydney (The Rocks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and George Street) are well worth it. Just be sure to download them before you hit the street.

Installing the app on your phone doesn't also download the individual walks, at least not for the iPhone. I haven’t checked the Android version. You have to download each walk individually within the app. Don’t worry. The walks are still free.

Each of the old Sydney walks takes between 1 – 2 hours depending on how fast you walk. If you’re up for it, I would suggest doing The Rocks tour then moving on to the Sydney Harbour Bridge walking tour. I know that sounds like a lot, but you’re in the same area, and there are plenty of places to stop and take a break with a nice cold pint or get a bite to eat.

City of Sydney Historical Walking Tours

The City of Sydney has a list of walking tours that you can download for free in the form of PDFs so load up your tablet or Kindle and hit the road.

If you haven’t done the Powerhouse Museum historic walking tours, I would start with the city’s Colony Walking Tour. This walk starts at Customs House and ends at Millers Point. There are over 30 points of interest in this tour. You’ll visit pubs, churches and the archaeological digs in The Rocks.

If you plan your time right, a stop at Lord Nelson pub for a pint and a pie is a must. The lamb burger is also delicious if you’re not in the mood for a pie.

The PDF is full of historic photos from years past, adding a nice contrast to the city you’ll be walking through. The whole tour will take about 2 hours, give or take a half-hour.

Besides the Colony Walking Tour, I would suggest downloading the Hidden Tour that takes you through Sydney’s little laneways and the Water Tour that actually feels more like a scavenger hunt than a tour as you explore the city’s different water features, not just fountains but pools and old fashioned toilets.

Razorhurst Sydney Walking Tour

The Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills are now best known for their trendy restaurants and bars, but that wasn’t always the case. This area and the nearby suburbs (Kings Cross, Woolloomooloo, Potts Point) are historically known as Razorhurst.

Razorhurst was once overrun by razor gangs, called such because the gangs carried straight-edged razors instead of guns. This time in Sydney’s history has been glamorized by the Australian TV series “Underbelly: Razorhurst” and, I completely admit, is the first time I had ever heard about Tilly Devine or Kate Leigh, the two women that ruled over the razor gangs.

If you are a fan of Boardwalk Empire and mobster history in general, be it US or UK, then this is right up your alley. It certainly has all the trimmings of a good gritty crime drama with brothels, pimps, pickpockets, con artists, sly-grogs (aka speakeasies), six o’clock swill, and the roaring ’20s and ‘30s in Sydney.

You can download the map PDF from the Razorhurst website, but it does not include a description of each point so hopefully you have a tablet or smartphone and are set up with an Australian mobile network to access the website tour points of interest .

Do not download the mobile app!!

1. It’s $5.49, kind of pricey for an app. 2. It’s not a walking tour but a game that, judging from the reviews, it's not very good.

But other than that, the info on the website is interesting, and the mapped route will take you through an interesting part of Sydney well worth further exploration.

Here’s some more info on Razorhurst on CNN Travel .

If you’re keen to learn more then book an actual guided tour. The Sydney Crimes and Passions Walking Tour is $41.56 per person and takes about 2 hours.

Balmain Sydney Walking Tour

Leichhardt Council has free historic walks of Balmain that you can download. There are mp3 files that the site says can be downloaded, but it doesn’t appear so. Or at least I couldn’t figure it out. The PDF is full of historical info about Balmain.

Balmain is a quick ferry ride from Circular Quay, or you can walk from Circular Quay along the harbor then take the ferry back. There heaps of shops, restaurants, pubs, and cafes in Balmain. It’s definitely worth taking a day to explore the suburb, plus there are some beautiful views of the harbor.

Explore Sydney Suburb by Suburb

Urban Walkabout is an interesting site for exploring Sydney’s different suburbs. It has a directory of several different suburbs in Sydney with PDFs that list shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes plus locates each on a map of the suburb, also part of the PDF. The only drawback is, the information on each suburb is in no way complete. For example, I checked out my suburb of Woollahra, and there were only two restaurants listed. I know for a fact that there are more than just two restaurants in all of Woollahra. But Urban Walkabout is updating and adding to the site all the time, which is why I’m mentioning it here.

The Urban Walkabout walks are curated by different Sydneysiders but aren’t that fabulous or well thought out. I would stick to the suburb PDFs for now.

Two “Free” Guided Sydney Walking Tours

I used the quotes above because only the Royal Botanic Garden Tour is really free. I’m Free operates on a tip basis, so technically, they’re not totally free as most people end up tipping something. But hey, it’s up to you how much you feel it’s worth. I’ve done the I’m Free Sydney Sights Tour and ended up tipping $20 without hesitation. Ross did a fantastic job.

I’m Free Sydney Walking Tours

I’m Free is probably the most popular walking tour in Sydney. You may have read about it in Trip Advisor, where it has over 500 glowing reviews.

There are two different tours: the Sydney Sights Tour and The Rocks Tour . The Sydney Sights Tours meets at Town Hall twice a day (10:30am and 2:30pm) EVERYDAY, rain, shine or snow (ha ha, just kidding). To see all the sights will take about 3 hours.

The Rocks Tour meets every day at 6 pm in front of Cadman's Cottage. That’s the small cottage next to the Museum of Contemporary Art. If you stand in front of the MCA with you back to Sydney Cove, Cadman’s Cottage is located in the park, to the right of the museum. The Rocks Tour is 1 1/2 hours long.

Like I already said, I’ve done the Sydney Sights Tour and wholeheartedly recommend it! Have yet to do The Rocks Tour. If you’ve done The Rocks Tour, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Royal Botanic Garden Free Guided Tour

If you’ve got a green thumb then this free guided tour of the Royal Botanic Garden is for you.

Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry as this tour isn’t not all about plants. The tour also includes information about the history of the gardens and Sydney.

What Are You Shipping to Sydney When You Move?

Do you know yet.

The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.

But you have to get your shipping quote ASAP, especially now.

Why? Because international shipping companies need to schedule your shipment to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance . Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping .

When filling out the contact form below…

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Lauren, and I've helped thousands of people from all over the world move to Australia since starting my blog back in 2009. You can read more about me here , but Sydney Moving Guide isn't about me. IT'S ABOUT YOU. So, I have one question for you. How can I help you with your move to Australia? Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to grab my moving checklist before you go .

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I'm Free Walking Tours - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

I'm Free Tours Sydney

Review Highlights

“ Great way to learn about Sydney, and doesn't focus exclusively on the big ticket places like the Opera House and bridge. ” in 5 reviews

“ Our guide, Justine , was awesome and kept a perfect pace both in speed and amount of information she provided. ” in 5 reviews

“ Highly recommend but DO NOT STIFF THEM!! ” in 4 reviews

Location & Hours

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483 George St

Sydney New South Wales 2000

Serving Sydney Area

About the Business

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Showing off Sydney's sights to visitors and locals! …

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Overall rating

Worth it! Lots Information from local tour guide. Waking around historical building and sydney town was amazing Thank you!

What a great tour, so much information, kept it moving and great recommendations. Highly recommend but DO NOT STIFF THEM!! Free means it's your choice what to pay, don't be stingy! These are guides who deserve to be paid!

Our first stop in Sydney was the "free walking tour." I love these tours and always check to see if they have one in any domestic or international trip I'm taking. In my experiences, the guides are always very entertaining, informative and give you great tips on things to do, see or eat. This tour didn't disappoint. We started in a central location in Sydney and was surprised with the large group. There were two guides and we were split into two separate groups. I forgot our tour guide name but he was entertaining and kept the tour lively. I loved his feedback on the frenemy relations between Sydney and Melbourne. He showed us most of the major attractions and areas to check out. He explained the public transportation systems. He recommended places to eat and at the end of the tour helped everyone with questions. These guides live off tips and I always ensure I tip generously for their much appreciated services.

A great way to get to know a city! We did the Sydney walking tour right after landing to make sure we were out and about and didn't fall asleep. Our tour guide, Asher, did an excellent job introducing us to the city and made it very interesting. It moved at just the right pace, including one bathroom break. Highly recommend doing a walking tour as a way to get your bearings in a new city, and our guide was a Sydneysider and was a great resource for our touristing questions!

Their walking tour of Sydney was the first thing I did after checking into my hostel after I arrived! I can't stress enough how awesome and informative this tour was! Our guide answered all of the questions the group had, and was funny and captivating through the 3 hour tour. And we covered so much ground! I probably wouldn't have seen half the things that I saw on this tour if I had tried to do it on my own. 10/10 would recommend this company!

I'm Free Walking Tours

Apr 15, 2019

Hi Brianna, Thank you for such a positive review, and a great candid photo. It's great to hear you thought the tour was both informative and captivating. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Sydney. Cheers, from the I'm Free team Sydney and Melbourne.

I did the 10:30 AM tour and the weather was great (no rain). They started 10 minutes later. It was a big group so we were split into 2 groups. Our tour guide was Justine, founder of Imfree walking tours. She was cool. She answered all questions I asked. Got a decent amount of history and information about Sydney CBD (Americans would call it Downtown Sydney). I've never done other paid tours or other free walking tours to compare this to, but I would say it was worth going to instead of walking around to several landmarks one by one. Particularly because my days were limited. She does suggest you tip her at the end of the tour. There are 2 other tours later in the day. It would be nice to allow for quick photo taking at a few stops instead of missing out on the tour guide's history talk. Then again it's a 2.5 hour tour and will drag on.

See all photos from Ann S. for I'm Free Tours Sydney

I HIGHLY recommend this tour to both tourists and locals. I'm from California, and my husband is from Sydney, and we both went on the tour and BOTH learned a lot. The tour guide really takes you to all the key, important places that they city has to offer. He gives so much information about the history on each place (which is what the locals can all learn). Most Sydneysiders that I know didn't even realize there was a huge floor model of the whole city inside the Customs Building, until I told them after I saw it on the tour! Of course, the tour guides ask for tips at the end and you kind of get guilt tripped into giving. But it's SO worth it. The guide simply asks you to give what you think it was worth...and at least to me, it's worth A LOT. P.S. Definitely bring comfortable walking shoes.

Imfree tours is a great way to see some of the sights of Sydney! They offer two tours, the 3 hour Sydney sight tour, and the 1.5 hour "the Rocks" tour. I went on the latter which is offered everyday at 6pm. Just show up in front of Cadman's Cottage down by the Quay and look for the guide in a bright green t-shirt. I found the tour to be entertaining and interesting. The only down side I found was if you ask deeper questions, the guide may not have that level of detail. For example we were interested in learning how a youth hostel got built over a historic dig site and the answer was along the lines of, " I wondered that too". But they do take you to many sights that you may not see on your own and have lots of local information to share. The guides work on tips alone so know that you will be asked for money at the end. And people, know what a tour of this level is worth. I was surprised to see how little some in our group gave the guide. Also know that there are many steps, hills and inclines on this walk which is not mentioned in their brochure. Some in our group were really not ready for the intensity of the walk so wear comfortable shoes and be physically able to stand and climb for the entire time. Btw- the brochure they give you is chock full of other useful information of things to do i expensively or free in Sydney so check that out as well. All in all, a great way to see Sydney!

Highly recommend! Justine is fantastic. Her pace is great, not too fast and she does not talk until we all stop, better than the tour guys that talk as you walk. There are some stairs so if you have issues with stairs, it will be tough for you. The tour is almost 3 hours long with a 10 min break in between for small washroom break. You can see why she is so popular. She is very friendly and passionate about her city. She will give you directions to a few hidden place around town. Great to take a tour with Justine to get to know about the city.

You are looking at this sign and the anchor is behind you boarded up.

I'm Free Tours offers a wonderful, educational, and scenic experience of Sydney's CBD and The Rocks. Our tour guide, Ramsey, was very friendly, knowledgable, and enthusiastic throughout the tour. The walking tour runs for about 3 hours, with a short 10 minute break midway, for coffee, snacks, and the bathroom. The meeting point is outside Town Hall (just look for a tour guide wearing a bright green shirt) at 10:30am or 2:30pm, daily. The last stop is at a lookout tower near Circular Quay, which concludes the tour with a nice view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Other points of interest that we visited were Queen Victoria Building (QVB), Westfield, Hyde Park, Sydney Hospital, The Rocks, and Circular Quay, just to name a few. Some cool and interesting facts I learned: - The ground that Town Hall is built on used to be an old cemetery, so body remains have been found while digging. - Sydney Hospital has a pig statue outside, and people rub the nose for good luck. However, some people have rubbed elsewhere... based on the faded color. - The Rocks used to be populated with gangs back in the late 1800's. One gang tortured people by tying them to benches and beating them with wet sand-stuffed socks. - The Opera House was budgeted at $7 million, but it actually cost $102 million when complete. Overall, I'm Free Tours is a great way to explore the main parts of Sydney. Tour guides make money based on tips, so give whatever amount you think your tour is worth. If you're visiting/ vacationing in Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend taking a tour at the beginning of your trip; therefore you get an overview of which places to explore if you have more time, which restaurants to eat, etc.

See all photos from Priscilla W. for I'm Free Tours Sydney

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I'm Free Tours Sydney

483 George St, 483 George Street, Sydney , New South Wales 2000 Australia

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Discover Sydney, on a Free Tour at 10:30am and 2:30pm everyday. Join your friendly and knowledgeable local tour guide as we reveal the history, stories and secrets of Sydney. This 3 hour easy walking tour meets everyday at the anchor in Town Hall Square beside the Sydney Town Hall building. Rain, hail or shine, no booking needed, just show up and there will be a guide in a bright green T-shirt to show you around.Or join us at 6pm each evening for a one and a half hour exploration of The Rocks our most historical district, starting from the water side of Cadmans Cottage.How are we Free? We work on a tips only basis, so everyone can enjoy Sydney as much as we do, whatever your budget.

Reviewed by chong F.

Worth it! Lots Information from local tour guide. Waking around historical building and sydney town was amazing Thank you! Read more

Reviewed by Kristen V.

What a great tour, so much information, kept it moving and great recommendations. Highly recommend but DO NOT STIFF THEM!! Free means it's your choice what to pay, don't be stingy! These are... Read more

Reviewed by Teresa S.

Our first stop in Sydney was the "free walking tour." I love these tours and always check to see if they have one in any domestic or international trip I'm taking. In my experiences, the guides... Read more

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Free Walking Tour Sydney

Join i'm free walking tours on a fantastic tour around sydney and get local insights into australia's most famous city, free  sydney walking tour.

G’day mate!

We are your local guides at I’m Free Walking Tours. We’re your complete connection to Sydney and Melbourne’s history, sights, and culture. As Sydneysiders, we will share with you the stories and history of the city we have grown up in and love . Not only the stories behind our famous icons, but also parts of the city that many locals don’t know.

Did you know that the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened by a sword wielding man on horseback?

To help you best experience our city whilst you’re here we will provide you with 100% independent advice on what to see and do.

Operating since 2009 , we believe in helping you get the most out of your time in Sydney. For this reason we will share with you our personal recommendations, not places we are paid to promote!

Head to our website for more information about our tours of Sydney’s sights and historical Rocks district , and to register for a tour that suits you.

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What is the difference between the sydney sights and the rocks tour which one should i do, do i need to book an i’m free tour of sydney, where does the tour start and how do i find my i’m free tour guide, is the tour ever cancelled, are your tours accessible for wheelchairs and prams, get inspired by the free tour community blog.

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I'M FREE WALKING TOURS (Sydney) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Sydney Sights Free Walking Tour

Explore Sydney's most important sights with a local guide. From the centre of Sydney to the Harbour and the Rocks, they've got you covered so you don't miss a thing.

Uncover Sydney's history and its culture with an insider. Explore the hidden lanes, tunnels, parks, harbour and iconic buildings. Share in their stories, as well as their local recommendations on attractions, museums, bars and cafes to set yourself up for the rest of your stay.

Tours leave from Town Hall Square on George Street every day.

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The Rocks Free Walking Tour

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Pure joy as you wake to the sunrise. Awe as you make it to the snowy peak. A sense of adventure as you motor across red plains. The relief of rejuvenation as you wade into an alpine stream. Connection as you taste native, fragrant leaves. A sense of belonging as you return to your favourite holiday house. Freedom as you dash into the waves. Discover the endless feelings a visit to NSW can inspire.

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Where was ‘anyone but you’ filmed all the stunning locations from the rom-com.

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Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in "Anyone But You."

Anyone But You finally made its Netflix streaming debut, which is exciting news for rom-com fans everywhere. As you watch the movie, you might be wondering where Anyone But You was filmed and if you can visit the breathtaking beaches, cliffs, and other locations in real life.

Loosely adapted from Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” Anyone But You stars Glen Powell as Ben, a finance bro who has an incredible first date with Bea (Sydney Sweeney), a law student uncertain about her career. After spending the night, Bea panics and leaves without telling him. When she realizes she made a mistake and returns to his apartment, she overhears Ben saying that she is a “nothing” to him.

Years later, they unexpectedly reunite at a destination wedding in Australia for Bea’s sister, who is marrying Ben’s friend. When their exes show up, they pretend to be a couple—and the rest is history. The film was directed and co-written by Will Gluck, the filmmaker behind rom-coms like Easy A and Friends with Benefits . It was released in December and had an impressive run at the box office, surpassing $88 million domestically and $219 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo .

After its release, the movie went viral on TikTok as audience goers reacted to the film’s credit sequence, which features the cast dancing and singing to Natasha Bedingfield’s nostalgic 2004 hit “Unwritten,” a song highlighted throughout the film. There were also rumors of an off-screen romance between Powell and Sweeney that helped promote the film, as well as the actors’ flirty publicity tour and Sydney Sweeney’s SNL monologue .

Now, Anyone But You is back in the limelight after the film was released on Netflix on April 23, quickly becoming the No. 1 movie on the platform in the U.S. after just one day.

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New ios 18 ai security move changes the game for all iphone users, world war i tactics make a comeback as a ukrainian gunner in the back of a propeller plane shoots down a russian drone, where was anyone but you filmed.

Anyone But You was filmed in parts of Australia around New South Wales and Sydney. Director Will Gluck told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted the film set in Sydney because he had “really fallen in love with the city” and liked it so much he moved his family there.

“Almost every time you shoot a movie in Sydney, you have to pretend it’s somewhere else and frame out the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. For Anyone But You , I thought, “Why do that?” We actually wrote this movie 100 percent for Sydney — very specific to the destination,” Gluck wrote.

The director continued, “We flew helicopters all over — seeing the city from that vantage point is stunning — and landed one at the Opera House, shut down the Harbour Bridge, filmed at the Queen Victoria Building, and shot for two weeks overlooking Bondi Beach,” he said. “We spent a week on a boat in Sydney Harbour shooting a scene where they’re stranded on a buoy, but you can’t have humans in the water without a shark cage, so we had to have one the whole time. You pinch yourself. It’s so unbelievable we were actually doing these things.”

Here are a few specific Anyone But You filming locations you can visit in person.

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a focal point in Anyone But You. The 20th-century architectural landmark serves as a gorgeous backdrop for big moments, including the end scene when Ben passionately kisses Bea, who is standing at the top of the steps. You can visit the performing arts center for special events and tours.

Marks Park, Bondi

Located in Sydney's northern suburbs, the wedding scene in Anyone But You was filmed at Marks Park overlooking Bondi Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The cliff-top park is open to the public and has fitness stations, a playground, and some shaded areas.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: A general view of North Palm Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches, on ... [+] April 01, 2024, in Sydney, Australia (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Many of Anyone But You ’s breathtaking beach scenes were filmed around Palm Beach. Director Will Gluck told THR that one of the best parts of filming was on location in Palm Beach, a suburb in the Northern Beaches.

“Our caravans were parked right on the water, and Glen and Sydney and I decided to live there the whole time. We’d shoot all day and all the crew would go home, then we’d jump in the water and have a swim, go to our trailers and have dinner sitting outside,” he said. “It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and you normally wouldn’t be allowed to sleep there. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had filming.”

Jones Bay Wharf

Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney Harbour's Pyrmont.

The historic Jones Bay Wharf is another familiar filming location in Anyone But You. The hidden gem in the Pyrmont district is home to fine dining restaurants, charming cafes, and beautiful views the of the city and Harbour Bridge.

Queen Victoria Building

Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Australia.

While on their way to collect flowers for the wedding, Ben and his friend Pete are seen walking alongside the Queen Victoria Building. The Romanesque 19th-century building is actually a five-level shopping center with fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, cafes, and restaurants.

Anyone But You is now streaming on Netflix.

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