Otway Fly Treetop Adventure

Set amongst the beautiful Otways rainforest the Otways Fly Tree Top Adventure  provides a great opportunity to see the rainforest from a different angle.

The walk takes about an hour over its 2 kilometre length and features a thrilling cantilever section where you feel totally above the beautiful forest below. 

Views from the highest point - the 47 metre high tower are also amazing.

You start the walk from the Visitor Centre and Cafe and wander, at your own pace, down hill to the start of the treetop walk. Its then a gradual climb as you wander along the walkway where you'll find interpretive signs that provide interesting information on the range of trees and flora nearby.

A free shuttle service is available making the trip from or to the Visitor Centre easier.

Cost is a very reasonable $25 adults, $15 children, $70 family and $21.50 for seniors.

We include the Tree Top Adventure in our 2 day private tour of the  Great Ocean Road Tour or our 3 day private tour of the Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour.

If you have plenty of time and are ready for adventure you can do the Zipline Tour which takes 3.5 hours and includes flying on a series of cable spans from one platform to another.

Perth for free

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and located on the shores of the Swan River. With a population of approx 1.9 million people the city is a vibrant centre of activity particularly for the resources industry.

Whilst there are many beautiful beaches to enjoy nearby this blog focuses on other activities that you can do for free. 

Art Gallery of Western Australia

The Gallery houses the State Art Collection which includes Western Australian art, Modern British Art an Indigenous Art.

The Gallery also hosts a range of exhibitions. Before visiting you should check that no fees apply to these.

The Gallery is open Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day. Entry is free but they do ask for visitors to leave a donation.

Western Australian Museum

The Museum displays Western Australia's natural, social and cultural history collections. 

The Museum's long term displays include a Discovery Centre, WA Land and People and a Bird Galley. There is also a program of special exhibits, events and activities. 

The Museum is open every day 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, ANZAC Day and Good Friday.  Entry is free but a $5 donation is suggested.

The Water @ Labyrinth

Using storm water recycled and harvested from Forrest Place is this water sculpture designed by Jeppe Hein. The Water Laybyrinth runs daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Forrest Place is also the location of events and markets.

Parliament House 

If you're interested in politics you can take a tour of Parliament House. These are run every Monday and Thursday 10.30 a.m. except on public holidays.

Kings Park Botanical Gardens

Kings Park is a 400 hectare park located right in the heart of Perth city and rich in Aboriginal and European history. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers, the city skyline or the Darling Ranges to the east. 

Given the size of the Park there is a huge range of activities to enjoy. You can wander the Western Botanical Garden and see more than 3,000 varieties of the State's unique flora, visit the Avenues of Honour or Kings Park Memorials and Statues area. 

Two thirds of the park is protected bushland where you can enjoy bushland walks or cycle the paths. The best views can be experienced from the DNA Tower if you want to climb its 101 steps.  

Families can visit  Rio Tinto Naturescape where children can connect with nature and learn about the WA environment or play at the Synergy Parkland  which has a 75 metre elevated walkway, island fort and large scale replicas of extinct Australian mega fauna and an interactive water misting forest. 

Other alternatives are the Lotterywest Family Area which includes a Playground and an oval for ball sports and a learn to ride bicycle path or the Saw Avenue Picnic Area  with its innovative nature based play area with the iconic Jarrah Log.

You can also enjoy a free guided walk, browse the gallery shop or enjoy a coffee in the cafe.

Bold Park

Bold Park is a large bushland area offering a wilderness experience near the coast only 15 minutes from Perth city. The Park covers 437 hectares and has over 1,000 species of flora, fauna and fungi and an abundance of wildlife including birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

You can experience the park via a range of walking trails or cycling paths.

Burswood Park

Located about 5 minutes drive from the city of Perth Burswood Park is a unique parkland where you can see a range of indigenous birds and water fowl.

The Lake is the centrepiece of the Park with  Swan Fountain a stunning sculpture of black swans within its shores.  There are a number of riverside walks, recreational trails and picnic areas to enjoy. 

You can also take a free guided walking tour of the park which focuses on Western Australia's history, flora and fauna.

Whiteman Park

A natural bushland park located approx 25 minutes from Perth city on the doorstep of the Swan Valley.  There are bush walking trails, complete with interpretive notes and walking and cycling paths.   Perfect for children of all ages are the shaded playgrounds and a mini water playground with a wading pool, water spouts, soft fall surrounds and shade areas.  The park also includes picnic areas, BBQs and a cafe.

A range of other attractions are also located at the park. Some with entry via donation and some you need to pay an entry fee. These include transport related museums,a wildlife park and a range of shops. 

You can also take a free tour by jumping aboard the vintage Whiteman Park Explorer bus.

Brisbane for free

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and another fantastic city to visit and the weather makes it possible to enjoy activities pretty much all year round.

The city is located alongside the Brisbane River and there are walkways that follow the river that you can wander along and enjoy the cafes, restaurants and river views. 

City Botanical Gardens

The walkways continue through to the City Botanical Gardens located at Gardens Point. The gardens were opened in 1855 and were the cities original botanical gardens. Prior to that time the site was a botanical reserve established to provide food for the penal colony.

Entry to the gardens is free and you can wander around for hours as there are a range of sculptures, gardens and ponds to see.  These include the Bamboo Garden and  Weeping Fig Avenue. Sitting at a spot along the river is also a peaceful way to spend some time relaxing and watching as boats and joggers pass by.

The gardens are open 24 hours, with pathways lit at night.

Mount Coot-tha Gardens

Another free option if you like gardens is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha. The gardens are located at Toowong a short distance from the city. 

Spanning 52 hectares the gardens are recognised as Queensland's pre-eminent collection of native and exotic plants.  Included in the collection is a bamboo grove, Japanese Garden including Bonsai House, scented garden, arid zone, waterfalls and rainforest trees. 

Opening hours vary depending on the season - September to March 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and from April to August 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Bank

South Bank parklands are an amazing asset for Brisbane city. From the water play areas and Streets Beach to a bougainvillea-covered Arbour and cobbled laneways the area attracts young and old. Many of the attractions are free and people often bring a picnic and spend the day. You can choose from the wide range of restaurants, cafes and eateries that cater for every taste.

A range of events and markets are held at South Bank so don't forget to check out their events calendar as you may find something of interest.

Queensland Gallery of Modern Art

If you're interested in art the Queensland Art Gallery|Gallery of Modern Art have significant collections of more than 15,000 Australian and international paintings, sculptures, art objects and installations.

The collections includes Indigenous art, art depicting Queensland's history, contemporary Australian and Asian art through to International art including Picasso.

The Galleries are located on the South Bank of the Brisbane River. Both buildings can be entered via Stanley Place and are only 150 metres apart. 

Entry to the galleries are free but you may have to pay for some of the special exhibitions.

Queensland Museum

The  Queensland Museum located at South Bank is a museum of natural history, cultural heritage and human endeavour. It tells the story of a changing Queensland. 

The Museum has a range of permanent exhibitions including ENERGEX Playasaurus Place and the story of 3 Victoria Cross recipients titled the Courage of Ordinary Men. A program of regularly changing exhibitions ensures the Museum continually interests and educates across a broad range of topics.

Open daily from 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and  Boxing Day. Open ANZAC Day from 1.30 pm. General entry to the Museum is free. You may have to pay for some special exhibitions.

Free guided walks

If you're interested in a  free guided walk around the city they're offered week days at 12 p.m. starting from the Brisbane Visitor Information Centre. The walk includes visits to City Hall, Treasury Casino, the Old State Library, Brisbane's Botanical Garden and the Brisbane Club.

Free transport

The city provides free transport via a high frequency bus which loops around the Brisbane CBD and Spring Hill area.  Bus route

Brisbane Library - free internet

The Brisbane library offers a range of services include free internet.  The Brisbane Square Library is located at 266 George Street in central Brisbane.  The library is closed on public holidays. Opening hours Monday to Thursday are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sydney for free

Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and home to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

Whilst Sydney is seen as an expensive destination by many there also lots of free places to visit or activities to enjoy.

Art Options

If you're interested in art there are a number of free options:

The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a collection of modern and contemporary art from Australia and around the world. Displayed in light filled space the Gallery also offers stunning views of the Harbour.  

Tours of the Gallery's permanent exhibits, exhibition talks, music, film and children's activities are all free. Entry fees (approx $10) apply for special exhibits such as the Archibald Prize exhibition.

With a cafe, restaurant and shop there's plenty to keep you busy and spend some money if you're inclined.

The Gallery is located on the eastern side of Sydney's CBD next to the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Domain.

Another option is the Museum of Contemporary Art where you'll see modern art in this recently redeveloped Museum.  Located at Circular Quay one of the most iconic location in Sydney, the Museum overlooks Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

The MCA has a continually changing display of exhibits ensuring there is always something interesting to see. Volunteer guides provide free tours to assist you discovering the art and the artists. 

Special exhibits are at a cost of approx $20 per person.


Historic options

If history interests you  visit Government House which is located alongside the Botanical Gardens with stunning views of the Harbour and the Sydney Opera House. 

Built in the Gothic Revival style, Government House has predominately been the official residence of the Governor of NSW since 1845. It includes an outstanding collection of 19th and 20th century furnishings and decorations.

Government House

Open to the general public since 1996 the House can only be accessed via guided tour Friday to Sunday.

The Rocks Discovery Museum  tells the story of The Rocks area of Sydney from pre-European days to present.  The Museum is in a 1850's sandstone warehouse where you can see and experience a range of images and archaeological artefacts, interactive touch screens and audio visual displays.

Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday except for Good Friday and Christmas day you will find the Museum in Kendall Lane, The Rocks. 

ANZAC Memorial located on the southern edge of Hyde Park is the main commemorative military monument in Sydney. The building was designed by C Bruce Dellit and the exterior adorned with figural reliefs and sculptures by Rayner Hoff. 

Open every day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  except for Good Friday and Christmas day.

ANZAC Memorial

The Mint provides an insight into Australia's first coining factory and also houses the Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection, a gift shop and cafe.

The Mint is located at 10 Macquarie Street Sydney and open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gardens and Walking options

No visit to Sydney is worthwhile without visiting Circular Quay home to the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge 

Indigenous music at Circular Quay 

Wandering around this area is free and you'll often find lots of buskers entertaining visitors.  There are also many cafes, restaurants and take away food options on both sides of Circular Quay.

You can also walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the North shore and see this area from a different perspective. Walking across Sydney Harbour Bridge


The Botanical Gardens are certainly worth a visit. Located on the edge of Sydney Harbour the Gardens span 30 hectares and house an outstanding collection of plants from Australia and overseas.

Early morning on the edge of the Harbour and Botanical Gardens

I love to wander through this area whenever I visit Sydney and have time to explore. Many people also use the area to keep fit - walking or jogging and enjoying an amazing view along the way.

The Gardens include a range of feature gardens; herb gardens, rainforest walk, palm grove and  pioneer garden to name a few. 

A range of activities are also regularly on in the Gardens find out more 


Hyde Park Gardens is Australia's oldest park and host to many cultural events including the Sydney Festival, Australia Day, ANZAC Day and the Food and Wine Fair.

Much smaller than the Botanical Gardens the park is interesting as it features a central pedestrian walkway from Macquarie Street to the ANZAC Memorial.

Hyde Park Gardens

If you're interested in exploring further a field take a bus to Bondi or a ferry to Manly will allow you to experience some other interesting walks.

Bondi to Bronte walk

Manly and northern beaches walk


To assist in getting from one destination to another there is a free CBD bus shuttle that runs on a regular basis.