gw2 gold div class=headlineh1Free fun in the land

div class=headlineh1Free fun in the land of sunh1divdiv class=clear div

Ahh, Sydney. The stunning sand and surf. The weird and wonderful wildlife. The positively eye-popping prices.

With Sydney consistently ranked among the most expensive cities in the world, and the Australian dollar at near-record highs, overseas tourists on a budget might find themselves sweating even more than usual under the blistering Aussie sun.

But cash-strapped travellers can find lots of fabulous things to do for free.

Waterside hikes From the turquoise waves lapping the coastline to the sparkling harbour, much of Sydney's beauty comes from the glittering water surrounding it.

Drink in the views with a hike along the city's waterside paths.

The six-kilometre clifftop coastal walk between Bondi and Coogee beaches passes parks, sandy coves and an eerily beautiful cemetery overlooking the ocean.

One of the best harbour hikes is the 10-kilometre Spit to Manly track. Start at Spit Bridge - reachable by city bus - and follow the path through lush rainforest, powdery beaches, and up rocky outcrops offering panoramic views of the harbour.

Stop in one of the quiet coves for a swim, and watch for the tiny fairy penguins that live here. gw2 gold

The hike takes three to four hours and ends in the beachside suburb of Manly.

Beaches Sydney's beaches are world-famous for a reason. The golden sand is soft, the jewel-toned water is generally warm, and surfers can almost always find a good break. Bondi is the bestknown beach, attracting surfers, sunbathers and more than a few local eccentrics. Just heed the lifeguards' warnings, or you may find yourself featured on the popular Aussie reality show Bondi Rescue alongside other hapless swimmers caught in rips, stung by jellyfish or bonked in the head by surfboards. South of Bondi is the smaller, more laid-back Bronte. To the north are the surfing beaches of Dee Why, Curl Curl and the pine tree-lined Manly. guild wars 2 gold

Harbour bridge While it may be tempting to join the jumpsuit-clad tourists climbing the Harbour Bridge, the sky-high prices (between $200 and $300 per person) could send you plummeting back to reality. You can still enjoy the bridge's breathtaking views of the city skyline, Opera House and harbour for free. A walkway along the bridge allows pedestrians to wander between the north and south sides of the city in about 30 minutes. If you're determined to climb higher, you can scale one of the bridge's concreteand-granite pylons for a mere $15. gw2 gold

Royal Botanic Gardens This 75-acre sanctuary fringing Sydney harbour features tropical greenery and rainbows of flowers, ponds and water fountains, exotic birds and creepy-cute flying foxes - also known as fruit bats. Free guided walks are offered every morning, departing from the information counter at Palm Grove Centre in the gardens. A peninsula, known as Mrs. Macquarie's Point, offers the quintessential view of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge behind it.

Art gallery or museum Next to the gardens is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which features a collection of Australian, Asian and European art and free guided tours. The National Maritime Museum is at Darling Harbour, a stretch of waterfront restaurants, bars and shops.
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