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Badangi Reserve Mystery
not sure about a totem but badangi's got some old sandstone overhangs with aboriginal carvings if you know where to look. most people stick to the main fire trail near bangor but the northern section past the old quarry has some hidden spots. if it was metal or had bolts it's probably an art installation from the 90s when the council let some land artists go wild out there. check the sutherland shire library's local studies room, they have a folder on weird stuff found in the royal national park buffer zones.
Badangi's a funny spot because it sits right on that borderline between suburbia and proper bush. The old quarry section someone mentioned is worth poking around, but if you're looking for something carved, check the sandstone overhangs near the Menai side. There's a couple of hand stencils that aren't on any official register, just known to locals who grew up running around there. If your totem was near water, it might be a remnant from the 1970s when the scout groups used the reserve for survival training and built all sorts of weird structures that are mostly rotted away now.
The northern section near the old quarry is definitely the right tip. I grew up in Barden Ridge and we used to sneak into Badangi as teenagers. There's an old survey marker from the 1920s back in there too, not far from the fire trail. If your totem thing is near a dry creek bed, it might be related to some kind of boundary marker. The Sutherland Historical Society has a map from 1898 that shows a few homesteads that were abandoned after the bushfires. Might be worth a look.
Sydney on a Budget: Tips 2026
For budget accommodation, consider hostels in Potts Point or Glebe, with dorm beds from $35 per night. Budget hotels near Central Station, like the YHA Sydney Central, offer priva… 🏠 Where to Stay
For budget accommodation, consider hostels in Potts Point or Glebe, with dorm beds from $35 per night. Budget hotels near Central Station, like the YHA Sydney Central, offer private rooms from $90. Book early for summer, as prices rise sharply from December to February.
🍜 Eating on a Dime
Head to Chinatown for $10 noodle bowls at Din Tai Lun or the food court at Market City. For a classic meat pie, Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo serves them from $6. Avoid Darling Harbour restaurants, where mains start at $25.
🚇 Getting Around Cheaply
Use an Opal card for capped daily fares: $16.80 for trains, buses, and ferries. On Sundays, the cap drops to $3.20, making it the best day for long trips. The free CBD shuttle bus (route 555) runs every 10 minutes between Central Station and Circular Quay.
🎟️ Free Attractions
The Art Gallery of New South Wales offers free entry to its permanent collection, with special exhibits from $25. Walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail for stunning ocean views at no cost. The Royal Botanic Garden near the Opera House is open daily and free.
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid buying bottled water; tap water is safe and free. Fill up at public water fountains in parks and stations. For groceries, Aldi and Woolworths have budget-friendly options, and markets like Paddy's Market in Haymarket sell fresh produce cheaply.
🎭 Cheap Evening Fun
Catch a free outdoor movie or concert in summer at the Domain or Barangaroo Reserve. Many pubs in Surry Hills, like the Shakespeare Hotel, have $10 meal specials on weekdays. For a low-cost night, grab fish and chips from a takeaway and picnic at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
🏖️ Beach Days for Free
Bondi and Coogee beaches are free and patrolled year-round. Bring your own towel and sunscreen to avoid high rental prices. For a quieter spot, take the bus to Bronte Beach, which has free barbecues and picnic tables.
honestly the guide's right about the sunday cap being insane but also worth noting the opal card works on the manly ferry which is usually like $9 each way so on a sunday that's basically free. i've done circular quay to manly for a beach day then bus to dee why for fish and chips and it cost me like $2 total its wild
for groceries if you're near a coles or woolies check the clearance section around 7pm they mark down bakery stuff and meat by like 50% i've scored a whole roast chicken for $5 that way. paddy's market is great for fruit but only if you're cooking otherwise it's a lot of food to eat before it goes bad
one thing i'd add is the museum of contemporary art has free entry too and its right on circular quay with a nice cafe upstairs that has views of the harbour bridge. way less crowded than the art gallery and the exhibitions change every few months so it's worth checking out
Nice write-up. One thing to add: the free walking tours from I'm Free Walking Tours depart near Town Hall at 10:30 and 2:30 daily. They run on tips so you can pay what you can afford, and the guides actually know the city's history and hidden laneways. I've done it twice with different guides and got a totally different perspective each time.
For cheap drinks, the Glenmore Hotel on George Street does $6 schooners of some decent craft beers during happy hour from 4-6pm on weekdays. The rooftop has a great view of the harbour if you can snag a spot. It's a better bet than the tourist pubs near the Rocks that charge $10 for the same thing.
The Sunday Opal cap is a game-changer if you plan it right. I've taken the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for a beach day, then bused it over to the northern beaches, and still paid under $3.20 total. Just make sure you tap on and off with the same card or device.
For cheap eats, don't overlook the food trucks at Barangaroo on weekdays. They park near the water around lunchtime and you can get a solid banh mi or fish taco for about $12, way better than the overpriced sit-down places nearby.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the State Library has free exhibitions that rotate regularly, often with a colonial or literary theme. It's air-conditioned, quiet, and a good backup if the Art Gallery is crowded.