The $50 Family Day Out Challenge
The $50 Family Day Out Challenge: Inner West Edition
Let’s be real — family fun shouldn’t require a second mortgage. With everything costing more these days (thanks, cost of living crisis), I challenged myself to create amazing family day out options for under $50 total.
Yes, some involve packing lunch, but think of it as an excuse to grab that fancy brioche from your local Woolies and make picnics that look Instagram-worthy. Hate soggy sandwiches? We do too. Dice up a $12.50 roast chicken and pack separately for a DIY sandwich spread where the kids can pick their own fillings.
Here are five tried-and-tested Inner West family adventures that’ll have your kids talking about the day for weeks, not your bank account crying. To hit our budget goals (and let’s be honest we didn’t hit them on every adventure), we travelled on weekends, packed lunches (but treated ourselves along the way), and brought our own filled water bottles (but took advantage of water stations that we found along the way).
🚂 The Transport Adventure Day
Total cost: $50.40 for family of 4
The Plan: Turn public transport into the main event
- Opal daily cap: Adults: $18.70/day Mon-Thur, $9.35/day Fri-Sun + public holidays. Kids (aged 4-15 years): $9.35/day, Mon-Thur, $4.65/day Fri-Sun, + public holidays (we travelled on the weekend)
- Route: Newtown → Circular Quay (train) → Manly (ferry) → walk/beach time → return
- Food: Pack lunch + buy Manly ice creams ($5 for tiny, $6.20/1 scoop from Gelato Messina = $22.40)
- Total: $28 transport + $22.40 ice cream + = $50.40
✅ Why it works: Kids think ferries are like cruise ships, and Manly beach and beach walk are free entertainment for hours. The journey becomes the destination.
Pro tip: Weekend fares are even better priced – perfect if you’re doing multiple stops – but with scheduled maintenance often planned on weekends, to avoid delays be sure to check the Transport NSW website before heading off.
🏭 The South Eveleigh Discovery Day
Total cost: $45.05 for family of 3
The Plan: Free activities in a heritage precinct that feels like a secret
- Morning: Explore the weekend free activities program (storytimes, pop-up performances, community workshops)
- Activity: Kids’ workshops and interactive installations (check their Winter School Holiday calendar for free and paid events)
- Lunch: BYO picnic in their beautiful outdoor spaces + coffee for parents ($12)
- Afternoon: Wander the heritage buildings and art installations
- Bonus: Often live music or markets happening spontaneously
- Transport: Train to Redfern + short walk ($18.65)
- Treat: Gelato for the kids from Anita Gelato ($14.40)
- Total: $12 food + $18.65 transport + $14.40 treats = $45.05
✅ Why it works: South Eveleigh is one of Sydney’s best-kept family secrets. This former railway workshop turned cultural hub offers incredible free programming every weekend — from puppet shows to ceramic workshops to storytelling sessions. The kids think they’re exploring an abandoned factory (in the coolest way), while parents appreciate the industrial-chic Instagram opportunities and genuinely good coffee nearby.
Pro tip: Check their website before you go — the programming changes weekly and some workshops have limited spots. The outdoor spaces are perfect for picnics, and there’s usually something unexpected happening.
🌿 The Urban Nature Challenge
Total cost: $46 for family of 4
The Plan: Green spaces and adventure
- Morning: Bicentennial Park, Homebush (free entry). Bring your own scooters, bikes
- Activity: Mangrove boardwalk + adventure playground + Treillage Tower + cycling or scootering (35kms of pathways to explore!). Want to learn more about Bicentennial Park? Download the free self-guided tour app for child friendly tours of the mangroves trail, eco, heritage, audio tours and more.
- Lunch: BYO picnic + park BBQ ($12 ingredients from Coles)
- Transport: Drive ($5 petrol estimate + $15 parking – first 2 hours free depending on where you park, then $5/hour
- Treat: Milkshakes for the kids $14 (Waterview Café)
- Total: $12 food + $20 transport + $14 treats = $46
✅ Why it works: Feels like you’ve left Sydney without the travel costs and with 40 hectares of parklands to explore, there’s something new to explore every time you visit. Want more? Download the free app.
Meal prep hack: Pre-make salads and butter rolls at home, buy sausages from Coles for a BBQ lunch.
🎪 The Local Market Hunter
Total cost: $35-50 depending on finds
The Plan: Chase free community events
- Research: Inner West Council events page + local Facebook groups
- Transport: Walk/bike to local markets (free!)
- Food: Food vendors, fruit stalls, food trucks (budget $30-40)
- Entertainment: Usually free activities, performances, workshops + markets like Glebe and Summer Hill have playgrounds where kids can burn off post lunch energy
Recent examples we’ve visited:
- Glebe Markets
- Flour Mill Markets, Summer Hills
- Various school fetes (cheap rides, great food stalls)
✅ Why it works: Community events are designed to be accessible, and kids love the carnival atmosphere.
Pro tip: Follow @innerwestcouncil and local suburb Facebook pages for event announcements.
🏊♀️ The Swim & Explore Combo
Total cost: $57.90 for family of 4
The Plan: Pool + adventure
- Morning: Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre ($21.90 family entry)
- Lunch: Bring sandwiches + buy drinks there ($8)
- Afternoon: Walk to Tumbalong Park (free playground)
- Explore: Darling Harbour waterfront (free)
- Transport: Train to Central + walk ($28)
- Total: $21.90 + $8 + $28 = $57.90
✅ Why it works: World-class pool facilities, iconic Sydney views, and kids think they’re having a fancy city day.
Pro tip: Check out City of Sydney and Darling Square websites for up to date info on free and paid events in Darling Harbour, Darling Square and surrounds.
💡 Money-Saving Hacks That Actually Work
Transport tricks:
- Family Funday Sunday Opal caps are your friend
- Walking between activities saves money and burns energy
- Check if venues have free or cheap parking before you go
Food strategies:
- Pack main meals, buy treats — feels special without breaking budget
- Share plates at markets instead of individual meals
- BYO water bottles (refill stations are popping up everywhere these days especially in high visitor locations like Manly Beach)
- Pre-eat breakfast at home to maximize lunch budget
Free entertainment goldmines:
- Local library events (free story times, craft sessions, school holiday programs)
- Council playgrounds with harbour/city views (feels premium, costs nothing)
- Beach walks and rock pool exploring
- Free museum days (check websites for community access programs)
📱 Apps & Resources That Save Money
- Opal Travel: Real-time transport costs
- Inner West Council website: Free event listings
- Local Facebook groups: Like the Inner West Mums that share free events
- Groupon: Occasional family activity deals
- What’s On Sydney: Free activity roundups
Challenge accepted? Pick one of these options for this weekend and let us know how you go. Bonus points if you find an even better $50 day combo — the Inner West mum community thrives on sharing the good finds!
What’s your best budget family day discovery? Share it in the comments — we’re always hunting for new ideas that don’t require selling a kidney.
About Author
