Semester break is right around the corner 💛
It's getting colder but there's still lots of free and affordable things to do around Sydney. Rally the group chat and forget about your looming exam results, it's time to have some fun!
🏒 Watch an ice hockey game at Macquarie Ice Rink
Grab some snacks, sit in the stands and it's as if you're witnessing the tension between Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Or maybe you're more of a Hannah Wells supporting her Garrett Graham. Whichever Canadian romance series you're trying to insert yourself into, Sydney is home to two Australian Ice Hockey League teams that can help make your daydreams come true – the Sydney Bears and the Sydney Ice Dogs. With some tickets going as low as $16, it's the perfect day out with some friends this winter!
Learn more and buy tickets here.
📸 Image credit: Bing Lee Sydney Bears
🖼️ Check out the latest exhibition at Verge Gallery
Materialnonmaterial by Todd Robinson is the latest exhibition on at Verge Gallery, located on the Darlington campus, exploring the relationship between art-making and experimental quantum science. Robinson spent 12 months at the Quantum Integration Lab at the Sydney Nanoscience Institute observing and reflecting upon scientists and their work. What resulted was a series of works encompassing sculpture, sound and textiles. Entry is free and it's the perfect exhibition to bring your arts friends and STEM friends together 🫶
Learn more here.
📸 Image credit: Todd Robinson, Untitled (whiteboard), 2026, sublimation printed textile (detail). Image courtesy the artist.
🎸 Find your new favourite artist at Manning Bar
Did you know that the Camperdown campus is home to one of Sydney's favourite live music venues? You might know Manning Bar as the home of delicious Hideout burgers, but once the sun goes down the music turns up. During the semester break international artists such as Jeremy Loops and billy woods are set to play, as well as local hip hop legends the Lonely Souljaz and Illy. USU Members get a discount on tickets so make sure to enter your member number at checkout.
Buy tickets here.
📸 Image credit: Michael Cole
⚽️ Get amongst the World Cup fever at a live site screening
No matter if you're an avid football fan or if you've just discovered that people mean soccer when they say football, the FIFA World Cup is a tournament that gets everyone talking! Get involved in all the drama at live sites across Sydney. Cheer on the Socceroos at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, Cathy Freeman Park at Sydney Olympic Park or Parramatta Square.
The FIFA World Cup is on from 12 June to 20 July.
📸 Image credit: Transport NSW
🚞 Romanticise your life on the Blue Mountains line
Too broke to get on a plane to Japan and ride the local line to a beautiful sleepy town? No worries, we have exactly that right at home! Grab your headphones and journal, and contemplate life on the 90 minute ride to Leura Station. Have lunch at one of the cute little cafes on the main strip, look through some thirft stores and maybe walk to a lookout or two. If you're not one for walking, check out the world's largest private collection of tea wares at Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum 🫖
📸 Image credit: Expedia
🎠 Experience how whimsical Sydney winter can be in Bondi
With a packed program over three big weeks there's something for everyone at Bondi Festival! Do you like dogs? Make sure the Paw Parade is in your calendar. Wanna check out some local artists? There's the Waverley Art Prize, public art installations and live music throughout the festival. Love to laugh? Come along to the comedy nights. Plus, there's food markets, an outdoor ice rink and so much more!
Bondi Festival is on from 3-19 July. Find out more here.
📸 Image credit: TimeOut
