Free things to do with teenagers in Sydney

Our picks

• Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters) Katoomba

  Echo Point lookout in Katoomba looks out over the Jamison Valley to the Three Sisters, three sandstone peaks in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, with…

  ★ 4.7 (12,273)

• Coogee Beach Coogee

  Coogee Beach is a Randwick City Council beach at Beach Street, Coogee, sheltered by Wedding Cake Island, which the council says makes it a calmer swimming beach for…

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (3,017)

• Manly Beach Manly

  Manly Beach is a Northern Beaches Council ocean beach that curves about 2 km from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, lined with Norfolk pines.

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (3,683)

• Hyde Park Barracks Sydney

  Hyde Park Barracks is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-era building on Queens Square, Macquarie Street, run by Museums of History NSW.

  ★ 4.7 (2,130)

• Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney

  The Art Gallery of New South Wales is on Art Gallery Road in The Domain, Sydney.

  ★ 4.7 (15,072)

• Australian Museum - Dinosaur Gallery Sydney

  The Dinosaurs exhibition is a permanent gallery on Level 2 of the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, opposite Hyde Park.

  ★ 4.6 (13,690)

Before you go

Best for which ages

The places in this guide start to work at around thirteen, and younger brothers and sisters will usually tag along without complaint. Older teenagers can often go with friends, if you are comfortable, and may prefer places where they can walk around without a parent hovering. Fourteen-year-olds usually want more independence than thirteen-year-olds, so adjust accordingly.

What to bring

A water bottle, sunscreen, a hat and snacks, because teenagers are always hungry. A charged phone and a portable charger help. Bring swimmers for beaches, comfortable shoes for walks, and headphones for the car. A little cash for a snack buys goodwill, and a jumper for the ferry or the mountains avoids a complaint.

Parking and facilities

Many of these places are in the city or at popular destinations, so parking can be tight. Public transport is often easier and teenagers usually enjoy the independence. The listing says what is on site. A train or ferry ride with friends in tow can be part of the outing, and many teenagers find it more fun than the car.

Best time of year

Summer suits the beaches, and spring and autumn suit walks and lookouts. Galleries and museums work all year, and are especially good on wet days. Weekdays are quieter if the school calendar allows. Long school holidays bring crowds, so if a teenager is happy to go midweek in term time, take the quieter option.

How to make a day of it

Put three options on the table the night before and let them vote. Pair an activity with food, and give them a role such as navigator or photographer. Keep the plan loose, and leave time for them to do nothing, which they often value most.

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

• Echo Point lookout (Three Sisters) Katoomba

  Echo Point lookout in Katoomba looks out over the Jamison Valley to the Three Sisters, three sandstone peaks in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, with…

  ★ 4.7 (12,273)

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Sydney, free and paid

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

• Coogee Beach Coogee

  Coogee Beach is a Randwick City Council beach at Beach Street, Coogee, sheltered by Wedding Cake Island, which the council says makes it a calmer swimming beach for…

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (3,017)

• Manly Beach Manly

  Manly Beach is a Northern Beaches Council ocean beach that curves about 2 km from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, lined with Norfolk pines.

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access · ★ 4.7 (3,683)

• Malabar Beach Malabar

  Malabar Beach in Long Bay is popular with families because of its normally placid conditions, according to Randwick Council.

  Patrolled Summer (unpatrolled at other times) · All-abilities access

• Bronte Beach Bronte

  Bronte Beach is one of three Waverley beaches that council lifeguards patrol year-round.

  Patrolled

• Newport Beach Newport

  Newport Beach is 1.3 km long, running from Newport Head in a gentle arc to Little Reef.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April · All-abilities access

• Queenscliff Beach Queenscliff

  Queenscliff Beach is the northern end of the Manly surf beach, within a 10-minute walk of Manly Wharf, and a headland tunnel connects it via the rocks to Freshwater…

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Freshwater Beach Freshwater

  Freshwater is part of the Manly-Freshwater National and World Surfing Reserve, and the council describes it as a good family beach with good swimming conditions.

  Patrolled Last weekend of August – late May (council lifeguards) · All-abilities access

• Warriewood Beach Warriewood

  Warriewood Beach is a surf beach with its own surf life saving club, between Turimetta and Mona Vale.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• North Wollongong Beach North Wollongong

  North Wollongong (North Beach), on Cliff Road, is Wollongong's busiest beach and is patrolled all year round.

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access

• Frenchmans Bay La Perouse

  Frenchmans Bay is a calm bay with a sandy beach in Botany Bay at La Perouse.

  Patrolled 1 December to 28 February

• Terrigal Beach Terrigal

  Terrigal Beach is a patrolled beach at the southern end of a 2.8 km stretch of sand, with cafes and restaurants overlooking it.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• The Grant McBride Baths The Entrance

  The Grant McBride Baths (formerly The Entrance Ocean Baths) are free tidal ocean baths with a 50 metre outdoor pool, a 22 metre lap pool, a children's wading pool, and…

  Patrolled Saturday 26 September 2026 to Sunday 25 April 2027

• Collaroy Beach Collaroy

  Collaroy Beach adjoins Narrabeen Beach, and the council describes the beachfront as having facilities for everyone, including people with mobility issues, with a ramp…

  Patrolled October to April · All-abilities access

• Bilgola Beach Bilgola Beach

  Bilgola Beach is a 500 m surf beach bordered by Bilgola Head to the north and Newport Head to the south.

  Patrolled Late September to late April · All-abilities access

• Killcare Beach Killcare

  Killcare Beach is a patrolled beach with views of the Tasman Sea and Sydney's northern beaches.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• Narrabeen Beach Narrabeen

  Narrabeen Beach is part of the long sandy stretch from Collaroy to North Narrabeen; the council notes it is prone to large surf and erosion and lists fair swimming…

  Patrolled Last weekend of September – last weekend of April

• Wollongong City Beach Wollongong

  Wollongong City Beach, off Marine Drive, is just south of the lighthouses at Flagstaff Hill.

  Patrolled 26 September 2026 to 25 April 2027

• MacMasters Beach MacMasters Beach

  MacMasters Beach is a patrolled beach with a mix of surf breaks and sheltered swimming areas.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• Clovelly Beach Clovelly

  Clovelly Beach is a small, tranquil beach at the end of a narrow bay, and Randwick Council says it is popular with families and snorkellers.

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access

• North Narrabeen Beach North Narrabeen

  North Narrabeen includes Birdwood Park and Narrabeen Lagoon and became a National Surfing Reserve in 2009.

  Patrolled September long weekend to April long weekend

• Continental Pool North Wollongong

  Continental Pool, on Cliff Road between Wollongong Harbour and North Beach, has a 50 m pool, a 45 m pool and a toddlers' pool; the 45 m pool has a ramp entry for people…

  Patrolled · All-abilities access

• Cronulla Beach (South Cronulla) Cronulla

  Cronulla Beach, often called South Cronulla, is home to Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and is popular with families, according to Sutherland Shire Council.

  Patrolled October to April · All-abilities access

• The Entrance North Beach The Entrance North

  North Entrance Beach is a patrolled surf beach at The Entrance North.

  Patrolled 26 September 2026 to 25 April 2027

• North Cronulla Beach Cronulla

  North Cronulla Beach is a sandy beach with a rocky shoreline to the south.

  Patrolled October to April

• Long Reef Beach Collaroy

  Long Reef Beach sits between nature reserves, next to Long Reef Reserve and Griffith Park; the council lists good swimming and body boarding conditions.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Maroubra Beach Maroubra

  Maroubra Beach is a kilometre-long surf beach patrolled all year by Randwick City lifeguards (7am to 7pm in summer daylight saving, 7am to 5pm otherwise), with…

  Patrolled All year · All-abilities access

• North Curl Curl Beach North Curl Curl

  North Curl Curl is the northern end of Curl Curl Beach; the council says there are good swimming and body boarding conditions in the north end.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September – last weekend of April

• Ocean Beach Ocean Beach

  Ocean Beach at Umina is a patrolled beach protected by Broken Bay.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• Wanda Beach Cronulla

  Wanda is the furthest patrolled beach north on the Cronulla stretch, a sand beach that Sutherland Shire Council says attracts a smaller crowd because of its location.

  Patrolled October to April

• Umina Beach Umina Beach

  Umina Beach is a long patrolled sandy beach that NSW Beachwatch calls one of the Central Coast's most popular beaches for families, for swimming, surfing and…

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• Thirroul Beach Thirroul

  Thirroul Beach, on The Esplanade, is a short walk from the largest town centre in Wollongong's north.

  Patrolled 26 September 2026 to 25 April 2027 · All-abilities access

• South Narrabeen Beach Narrabeen

  South Narrabeen is the southern part of the long beach between Collaroy and North Narrabeen; the council lists fair swimming conditions with a strong shore break at…

  Patrolled 26 September 2026 to late April

• Copacabana Beach Copacabana

  Copacabana Beach is a patrolled surf beach.

  Patrolled Saturday 26 September 2026 to Sunday 25 April 2027 · All-abilities access

• North Palm Beach Palm Beach

  North Palm Beach is the northern end of Palm Beach, a popular surfing spot below the 100 m lighthouse-capped Barrenjoey Head.

  Patrolled Late September – end of April

• Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool Shellharbour

  Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool is a 50 m saltwater pool at the southern end of the Shellharbour Village foreshore, with a shaded children's pool.

  Patrolled September, summer and April school holidays · All-abilities access

• Towradgi Beach Towradgi

  Towradgi Beach, off Murranar Road, is south of Towradgi Rock Pool, with easy access from the coastal shared path.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 (unpatrolled in winter)

• Palm Beach Palm Beach

  Palm Beach is a 2.3 km east-facing beach that curves between Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Little Head, and is known as the real Summer Bay from Home and Away.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Camp Cove Beach Watsons Bay

  Camp Cove Beach is a sandy Sydney Harbour beach beside Sydney Harbour National Park at Watsons Bay.

  Patrolled Last weekend of October to Anzac Day long weekend · All-abilities access

• Wamberal Beach Wamberal

  Wamberal Beach is a patrolled surf beach north of Terrigal.

  Patrolled Saturday 26 September 2026 to Sunday 25 April 2027 · All-abilities access

• Whale Beach Whale Beach

  Whale Beach is a surf beach in the far north of the peninsula, with Whale Beach Rockpool (25 m) at its southern end.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Avalon Beach Avalon Beach

  Avalon is a surf beach about 500 m long, bordered by 60 m sandstone cliffs.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Soldiers Beach Norah Head

  Soldiers Beach at Norah Head is a patrolled Central Coast surf beach.

  Patrolled 26 September 2026 to 25 April 2027 · All-abilities access

• South Curl Curl Beach Curl Curl

  The council says anyone swimming at South Curl Curl should stay between the flags, as there are several rips at any one time, and rates the swimming conditions as…

  Patrolled Last weekend of September to last weekend of April

• Austinmer Beach Austinmer

  Austinmer Beach, on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, has two rock pools at its southern end and a beach pavilion, with a play area and local shops nearby.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 (unpatrolled in winter) · All-abilities access

• Coledale Beach Coledale

  Coledale Beach is handy to Lawrence Hargrave Drive and overlooked by the Illawarra Escarpment.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 (unpatrolled in winter)

• Mona Vale Beach Mona Vale

  Mona Vale Beach runs for 1 km south of the rock platform that divides it from Basin Beach, a 300 m semi-circular beach in the lee of Mona Vale Head.

  Patrolled Last weekend of September – last weekend of April

• North Avoca Beach North Avoca

  North Avoca Beach is a patrolled beach that NSW Beachwatch describes as family-friendly, known for its birdlife, and dog-friendly.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 25 Apr 2027 · All-abilities access

• Thirroul Pool Thirroul

  Thirroul Pool, on Bath Street, is a 50 m saltwater pool with a toddlers' pool, next to Thirroul Beach and a park, with a beachfront kiosk nearby.

  Patrolled 26 Sep 2026 – 31 May 2027 (closed for winter)

All beaches and rock pools in Sydney, free and paid

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

• Hyde Park Barracks Sydney

  Hyde Park Barracks is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-era building on Queens Square, Macquarie Street, run by Museums of History NSW.

  ★ 4.7 (2,130)

• Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney

  The Art Gallery of New South Wales is on Art Gallery Road in The Domain, Sydney.

  ★ 4.7 (15,072)

• Australian Museum - Dinosaur Gallery Sydney

  The Dinosaurs exhibition is a permanent gallery on Level 2 of the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, opposite Hyde Park.

  ★ 4.6 (13,690)

• White Rabbit Gallery Chippendale

  White Rabbit Gallery at 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale, shows 21st-century Chinese contemporary art from Judith Neilson's collection across four levels.

  ★ 4.6 (2,354)

• Australian Museum Darlinghurst

  The Australian Museum at 1 William Street, on the corner of College Street opposite Hyde Park, is a natural history and culture museum with free general entry to its…

  Sensory-friendly sessions · ★ 4.6 (12,918)

• Australian PlantBank Mount Annan

  The Australian PlantBank is the Botanic Gardens of Sydney's plant conservation research and seedbank facility at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.

  ★ 4.7 (114)

• Museum of Sydney Sydney

  The Museum of Sydney, run by Museums of History NSW, is built over and around the remains of Sydney's first Government House on the corner of Phillip and Bridge streets.

  ★ 4.1 (3,038)

Skate parks, pump tracks and bike paths

Council-run and free. Bring helmets; the listing notes lighting, shade and whether there is a beginner area.

• Meadowbank Skate Park Meadowbank

  Meadowbank skate park is a City of Ryde skate, scooter and play space in Meadowbank Park, off Constitution Road.

  ★ 4.6 (333)

• Federal Park Skate Park Annandale

  Federal Park, at 2a Chapman Road, Annandale, is a City of Sydney park with a skate plaza, a large adventure playground and a floodlit sports field.

  ★ 4.9 (31)

• Mutch Park Skatepark Pagewood

  Mutch Park Skatepark is in Mutch Park on Wentworth Avenue, Pagewood, a Bayside Council park.

  ★ 4.7 (58)

• Bondi Skate Park Bondi Beach

  Bondi Skate Park sits in Bondi Beach Park on Campbell Parade, run by Waverley Council.

  ★ 4.4 (333)

• The Bay Run Drummoyne

  The Bay Run is a 7km walking and cycling circuit around Iron Cove, following the shoreline through Drummoyne and Five Dock in the City of Canada Bay and continuing into…

  ★ 4.6 (61)

• Fernside Skatepark Waterloo

  Fernside skate park is in Waterloo Park, on Elizabeth Street at the corner of McEvoy Street, Waterloo, and is run by the City of Sydney.

  ★ 4.4 (163)

• Jack Shanahan Reserve Skate Park Dulwich Hill

  The Dulwich Hill skate park is in Jack Shanahan Reserve on Hercules Street, Dulwich Hill, an Inner West Council park that the council describes as a large park with…

  ★ 4.4 (132)

• Five Dock Skate Park Five Dock

  Five Dock Skate Park is a free City of Canada Bay Council skate park on the corner of First Avenue and Ingham Avenue, Five Dock.

  ★ 4.4 (127)

• South Eveleigh Skatepark Eveleigh

  South Eveleigh has a plaza-style scooter and skate park, designed by skate park specialists Convic, with custom brick transitions, steel elements, granite ledges and…

  ★ 4.5 (52)

• Maroubra Skate Park Maroubra

  Maroubra Skate Park is a council skate park in Arthur Byrne Reserve, next to Maroubra Beach, at 3R Marine Parade, Maroubra.

  ★ 4.3 (106)

• Summer Hill Skate Park Summer Hill

  Summer Hill skate park is in Darrell Jackson Gardens, an Inner West Council park at 91 Carlton Crescent, Summer Hill.

  ★ 4.3 (74)

• Ador Reserve Precinct Skate Park Rockdale

  The Ador Reserve Precinct on West Botany Street, Rockdale, is a Bayside Council park that was upgraded as part of the M6 Stage 1 project.

  ★ 4.2 (52)

• Gladesville Skatepark Gladesville

  The skate park sits inside Gladesville Reserve at 2 Victoria Road, Gladesville, a council reserve run by Hunters Hill Council.

  ★ 4.1 (53)

• Blackman Park Skate Park Lane Cove West

  Blackman Park Skatepark is a Lane Cove Council skatepark in Blackman Park, Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West.

• Whites Creek Valley Park Skate Park Lilyfield

  Whites Creek Valley Park is an Inner West Council park at White and Piper Streets, Annandale, with a small skate area alongside a basketball court and the William…

  ★ 4.0 (22)

• North Sydney Skate Plaza Neutral Bay

  North Sydney Skate Plaza is a North Sydney Council skate park on Ernest Street, next to the Cammeray Park synthetic sports field and Cammeray Golf Course.

  ★ 3.9 (21)

All skate parks and bike tracks in Sydney, free and paid

Questions parents ask

What free things can teenagers do in Sydney?

Beaches, lookouts, bush walks, museums, galleries and skate parks are all free or have free entry. Put two or three on the table and let them vote. Check the listing for details.

Is the Australian Museum good for teenagers?

Many teenagers enjoy it, especially if they like animals, dinosaurs or science. Check the listing for what is free and what needs a ticket, and let them lead.

How do I get a Sydney teenager off the couch and out the door?

Let them pick the place, and include food. Keep the plan short, and give them some independence once you arrive. A clear time to meet again helps.

Can teenagers go to the beach on their own?

That is your decision as a parent. Remind them to swim between the red and yellow flags and to avoid beaches with no lifeguards. Agree a meeting time and a place to find each other.

Other kinds of free day in Sydney

• All free things to do with kids in Sydney
• Free beaches and rock pools
• Waterfalls, lookouts and national parks
• Free water play and splash pads
• Free playgrounds worth the drive
• Free skate parks and bike tracks
• Chilled days: gardens, parklands and picnics
• Rain-safe: free museums, galleries and libraries
• Free events and markets
• Free things to do with toddlers

For teens in other cities

• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Cairns
• Canberra
• Hobart
• Darwin
• Sunshine Coast
• Newcastle