You don’t need Richard Branson’s bank balance to enjoy http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2448506318.html[Sydney]. Professional http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2466452584.html[cheapskate] and Bridget Jones wannabe, Rob McFarland, spent a week hunting out the best deals.

Monday

9am Check in to http://www.dluxbudgethotel.com.au/[D*lux Budget Hotel] (beds from $21, http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2442972684.html[Kings Cross] for week of fun and frugality.
9.10am There is a God. Am in four-bed dorm with two Swedish girls, Karina and Lotta. Identical twins. Could be interesting.
11.00am Visit http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2437919268.html[Sydney] Observatory (Observatory Hill, The Rocks). Free.
1.30pm Food court on George St for lunch. Cost = $6.
2.30pm Visit http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/[Art Gallery of NSW] (Art Gallery Rd, Domain). Free.
5pm Back at http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2438943245.html[hostel]. Some bloke’s stuff has appeared on top bunk. Mostly Coq Sportif. Hope he’s not French.
5.02pm Ben Affleck’s stunt double walks in. “Allo, my name iz Jean Pierre.”
5.05pm Reception politely refuses my request to move him to another dorm.
5.10pm Return to find him chatting up Swedish girls. In French. Overhear the word “http://www.scubar.com.au/[Scubar]”.
7pm http://www.merivale.com/[Slip Inn] (cnr Sussex & King St) for $6 pizza and pasta Monday.
10.30pm On to http://www.greatsouthernhotel.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=28964&Referred=&NewBrand=[Great Southern Hotel] (717 George St) for free trivia night and a couple more schooners ($12).
12am Turn light on in dorm. Everyone in bed. Not popular.

Tuesday

5.30am Swedes spend an hour whispering and rummaging through endless plastic bags. Apparently they’re off “Scuba” http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2453273548.html[diving] for the day. Ahh…
10am Breakfast at Krave’s Café (37 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross). Cost = $6.
11am Read papers in http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Library/Branches/KingsCrossLibrary.asp[Kings Cross library]. Free.
1.30pm Sushi rolls for lunch. Cost = $5.
2.30pm Take on old bloke on giant chessboard in Hyde Park. Lose. Then kid in school uniform. Lose again. Cost = dignity.
5pm http://www.pavilionplaza.com/Core/Splash/580George.aspx[Pavilion] (580 George St) for drinks specials; schooners for $3.50 (5-8pm, $4 spirts and wines). Cost = $7.
7.30pm Cheap night at cinema. http://www.hoyts.com.au/[Hoyts] in George St. Cost = $10.
10.30pm Early night. No sign of Swedes or Ben.

Wednesday

10am Climb http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/[Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout]. Amazing views of http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/[Opera House]. Cost = $9.50.
11am Free tour of http://www.mca.com.au/[Museum of Contemporary Art] (Circular Quay).
1.30pm Golden arches for lunch. Cost = $7.
3pm Movie at http://www.imax.com.au/home/[IMAX] cinema in Darling Harbour. Save 20 per cent with http://www.yha.com.au/[YHA] card. Cost = $16.50.
6.45pm Headed over to http://www.thegaff.com.au/[The Gaff] (Oxford St) for a free meal with a voucher from http://www.tntdownunder.com/[TNT] (when I bought a http://www.tntdownunder.com/article/2461478825.html[schooner]).
7pm Swedes are here! With Jean Pierre. Damn. D’oh!
9.30pm Long chat with Lotta about Abba’s early work. Might have been Karina. Still can’t tell them apart.