29 October 25
Ending HIV
16 free or low-cost things to do in Sydney for gay & bi+ guys
Whether you’re visiting, recently moved, or just a Sydney local looking to explore your surroundings, budget can be a huge concern when searching for things to do.
The good news? In a city as big as Sydney, there are always ways to have a good time without breaking the bank. Allow us to suggest some of our favourite free and low-cost Sydney pastimes and events!
1. Check out Qtopia – Sydney’s LGBTQ+ museum
Qtopia is Sydney’s new LGBTQ+ museum, and it’s the perfect place to grow your understanding of our shared history. With a devotion to telling stories grounded in five key themes – HIV/AIDs, human rights, sexuality and identity, media representations, and First Nations Peoples – giving visitors plenty of opportunity to immerse themselves in the experiences that make up our culture.
There’s a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits, so check out what’s going on before your visit! Entry is free every Sunday; otherwise, you can pay a modest entry fee to support local LGBTQ+ history!
2. Take a dip at one of Sydney’s famous beaches
Australia’s beaches are countless and littered across the coastline. They’re an amazing way to escape the summer heat or work on that tan – but as any local will warn you, make sure you’re applying sunscreen regularly.
Bondi and Manly beaches are well known for a reason, especially if you’re looking to surf. Beautiful waves and spectacular views make them perfect for a day trip, but make sure to arrive early before they get too busy.
Sydney is also home to some great queer friendly nudist beaches, like Little Congwong, Obelisk, Cobblers and Lady Bay. If you’re open to showing off a bit more skin these might be a great chance to make friends, or to ‘make friends’.
3. Get involved in the Sydney queer scene
Sydney’s queer nightlife found it’s home on Oxford Street over 50 years ago, and it has only grown since then. Home to historic bars such as Stonewall, the Oxford Hotel and Universal, it’s the perfect spot to get a drink and watch a drag show! Alongside the usual music and live entertainment, these bars hold regular themed social events like Oxford Hotel’s Furry Fridays (for the bears out there) or Universal’s Glitch Mondays, an event for queer gaymers.
4. Visit Newtown, Sydney’s secondary queer hub
The queer heart of the Inner West, visiting Newtown is a must. Enjoy the incredible cafes, local shops and thrift stores along King Street during the day, and once the sun starts to drop, drop by nightlife hotspots like The Imperial and the Newtown Hotel for a good time. Enjoy some trivia and a drag show, meet new people, or – let’s be real for a second – find someone cute to dance with.
5. Make new friends through social groups
If you’re looking for something a bit more chill than clubbing, queer social groups are the perfect way to meet people in a friendly, more relaxed setting – and luckily, there’s no shortage of options in Sydney.
Groups like Quiet Queers, Rainbow Social, Queer Social Club, and Gay Mates and Dates meet up regularly for various activities. ACON also runs programs like it’s Start Making Sense workshops for GBT men aged 18-26, Say it Out Loud’s monthly free gay BBQ. and the SocialisAsians group for any Asian guys looking for more culturally specific events. There are plenty more groups listed on the meetup website, so feel free to explore and find what’s right for you!
6. Immerse yourself in Sydney’s art galleries
Sydney is home to a variety of galleries showing art from cultures across Australia and the globe. Many galleries host regular free exhibits, such as the Art Gallery of NSW, which features a wide range of incredible local art and a constant rotation of special exhibits. Or check out the White Rabbit Gallery, home to one of the largest collections of contemporary Chinese art in the world, and it’s completely free to visit!
7. Celebrate your queerness at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
If you’re still picking trip dates, there’s no better time to be queer in Sydney than during Mardi Gras. Yearly, between February and March, Sydney is transformed into a gay oasis, flooded with incredible performances, parties and celebrations of queerness. Keep an eye on the Mardi Gras websites for updates on free events.
The celebrations culminate with the Mardi Gras Parade, held in remembrance of what we’ve been through and celebrating what we have achieved as a community. Make sure to check the parade map and plan your trip early so you get a good viewing spot!
8. Tour The Rocks – Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood
Just west of the harbour, you’ll find yourself in The Rocks. Full of well-preserved buildings, cobblestone streets and historic laneways, it’s a great spot to explore and experience some of the city’s history first hand – or get a drink if that’s more your speed. It’s also home to The Rocks Discovery Museum, which offers free entry and a range of exhibits on the area’s history.
9. Explore the Australian Museum
Explore Australia’s natural and cultural history by visiting the Australian Museum. Featuring collections of fossils, plant life, animal specimens and artefacts, the museum is a great place to learn more about Australia’s past as well as efforts being made to preserve its future. Special exhibits and free events pop up regularly, so make sure to stay up to date on what’s on during your trip.
10. Drop by the State Library of NSW
A short walk south of the Harbour, the State Library houses a huge collection of over 6 million items. Highlights include copies of Shakespeare’s four folios, records from the Australian Antarctic Expedition and an Indigenous language and vocabulary collection. The library also regularly hosts free exhibits and events, so watch out for anything that might interest you.
11. Experience NAIDOC Week and celebrate Australia’s First Nations People
The first Sunday of July marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, celebrating our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their culture. Events held across the city provide opportunities to learn about the history and beliefs of the Indigenous peoples, participate in significant ceremonies, and witness incredible performances and artwork.
We recommend taking part in a smoking ceremony and welcome to country, as well as the annual NAIDOC in the City event, a one-day celebration of all aspects of indigenous culture – but make sure to keep track of everything going on through the official website.
12. Take a trip down to the Royal National Park
Located an hour out of the city via train, the Royal National Park is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the bush and witness some of Australia’s best coastal views. If you’re looking to get your steps in, the park features a variety of hiking trails of all difficulty levels, ranging in length from under a kilometre up to the enormous 26km Coastal Track.
Famous landmarks like the Figure Eight Pools and Wedding Cake Rock are both stunning natural formations, as well as offering some spectacular views – a must-see for anyone willing to make the walk.
13. Explore some of Sydney’s local parks
If you’re not keen on travelling further out from inner Sydney, there are plenty of great local parks all around the area. The Royal Botanic Garden is a popular option, sporting a range of native and threatened exotic plants, and is the perfect spot to relax with a great Harbour view.
Regular stops for the local queer community are parks like Camperdown Memorial Rest Park (nearby King Street), Sydney Park, Beare Park and Rushcutters Bay Park. Drop by for a picnic or a walk, strike up a conversation and make some new friends!
14. Stop by the Markets
Markets are an amazing glimpse into the mix of cultures inhabiting the city. Between incredible street food, a variety of local artists and occasional live performances, they’re a great time.
Regular markets are held across Sydney, such as the monthly Hornsby Twilight Market or Chinatown’s weekly Friday Night Market.
There’s also a frequent range of themed pop-ups, such as Blak Markets, which put the spotlight on indigenous creators and performers, as well as event markets like the annual Lakemba Nights during Ramadan, one of Sydney’s most popular celebrations.
15. Explore Sydney during Vivid – A winter light festival
Held between May and June, Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of local and international creatives and their creations. For the duration of the festival, light installations across Sydney transform the city itself into a dazzling piece of art littered with interactive works and live music performances for you to enjoy.
Though there has been an uptick in paid events in recent years, there is still plenty to see and do for free so be sure to keep track of what’s on via the official website.
16. Get tested for HIV and STIs
If you’ve been hooking up or are interested in getting some action while you’re here, it might be worth getting tested for HIV and STis for some peace of mind. The good news is that testing is free for everyone even without a Medicare card,
Getting tested is quick and easy at our a[TEST] testing locations or the number of sexual health clinics across the city. If you’d rather a bit more privacy, self-testing kits are also free and easily accessible through MyTest vending machines.