For the month of June, I’ll be releasing a post a day of useful and inspiring travel content. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out! #30daysofposts
It’s rare to find free stuff to do in Sydney but this week you can catch three excellent exhibitions, all totally free.
The World Press Photo 2019
The World Press Photo 2019 is a glimpse of the world that was (last year). It’s a conglomeration of the best photographs, telling the stories of people who aren’t always widely known. It’s inspiring to know that a single photo—the winning shot deemed “World Press Photo of the Year” of a toddler, crying at the border, whilst her mother was arrested; created so much anger that policies were reversed. In other words that single photo created history by changing it. Sure it’s grungy, gory and heartfelt, but it’s also beautiful. See it at the State Library of NSW, Macquarie Road Sydney.
World Press Photo of the Year 2019, Crying girl at the border, Image by John Moore for Getty Images. Image supplied courtesy of World Press Photo. 
Curious residents and a street vendor selling material look on as models (L-R) Diarra Ndiaye, Ndeye Fatou Mbaye and Malezi Sakho wear outfits by Senegalese designer Adama Paris in the Medina neighbourhood of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, December 15, 2018. Finbarr O’Reilly 
Part of The Migrant Caravan story. Winner World Press Photo Story of the Year. Image by Pieter Ten Hoopen, Agence Vu/Civilian Act. Image supplied courtesy of World Press Photo. 
The Almajiri Boy by Marco Gualazzini for Contrasto. Nominee for World Press Photo of the Year. Image supplied courtesy of World Press Photo. 
Part of Crying for Freedom Story by Forough Alaei, Winner First Prize Sports Stories. Image supplied courtesy of World Press Photo. 
Image by Olivia Harris supplied courtesy of World Press Photo
Bill Henson Exhibition at Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery
Bill Henson has been a favourite photographer of mine, ever since I saw an exhibition of his focussing on clouds at the Art Gallery of NSW, and this new exhibition is a combination of portraits and landscapes with his trademark ambiguous and lithe models. His use of light is unmatched. You can view Bill Henson’s exhibition at the Bill Henson Exhibition at the Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery in the Darlinghurst Arts Precinct. Entry is free.
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery 
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery 
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery 
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery 
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery 
Image by Bill Henson, supplied courtesy of Roslyn Oxley 9 Gallery
Whale Watching
The Coastal Cliff Walk between Clovelly and Bondi provides the perfect place to spot humpback whales breaching just out of Sydney Harbour. Recently a school of rays swam past and I’ve regularly seen sharks from the walk, chasing schools of fish. Regardless, Sydney’s current cooler temperatures make it the perfect time to complete this sophisticated walk which features cafe’s, toilets, filtered water fountains and perfect ocean views the entire way. There’s free parking at Clovelly or in the side streets of Bondi, away from the Beach. Allow 1.5 hours one way. There’s also a Woolworths Metro in Bondi if you want to pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the rest stops along the way.
Vivid
The first time I saw Vivid I thought it was groundbreaking, then I encountered a busy Saturday night and it turned me off, but if you’ve never been, it certainly is a beautiful time to visit Sydney, with all the buildings lit up. There’s enough instalments that you could visit several over a couple of nights mid-week to avoid the weekend crowds and certainly later at night (after 9pm) is less busy than 6pm when the families are out in full force. Equally it’s possible to find quiet pockets from which to enjoy it. Whilst there’s restaurants and food trucks, they’re busy so best to eat beforehand. But all the outdoor stuff is free.
Need a nice hotel, not too expensive and with free breakfast close to Vivid? Find it here with Agoda.
Free Donuts
Yes Krispy Kreme are giving away FREE DONUTS as part of World Donut Day on Friday June 7th. Obviously numbers are limited but hey, who can say no to free donuts! Sign up to their newsletter and check this website for more details.
Star Wars: Identities Exhibition
Okay so this one isn’t free but it’s the last week you’ll get to see original sketches of the characters, costumes and props from the Star Wars movies including Darth Vader’s costume, R2-D2 and an entire window display of spacecraft models used in the films. It’s designed for kids of all ages (yes even big kids) and features interactive elements to help you find your Star Wars Identity. Star Wars: Identities Exhibition is on at the Powerhouse Museum until June 10th.
As the weather cools and hiding away in a cozy cafe with a cup of tea and a magazine or book sounds like your ideal way to spend the afternoon, join any Sydney City Library Network and have free access to hundreds of magazines with the RB Digital app, free books through BorrowBox, free music via Freegal and even movies with Beamafilm. All you need is photo I.D. Along with your address such as a driver’s license. Check out the Green Square Library for whimsical inspiration.
The Cure “Disintegration” Live at the Opera House
Technically this was last week, but it’s within seven days so it could still be classed as this week, regardless the Opera House live-streamed their last concert celebrating the anniversary of their epic album Disintegration. You can view the entire concert, in full below:
You don’t have to spend loads of money to have fun in Sydney. You just need to know where to go! If you want more information, check out the Lonely Planet Guide to Sydney
What’s your favourite free thing to do in your city? Comment below:
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