October 23, 2009

photo credit: Jessica Rabbit’s Flickr

We know that your Glebe shared accommodation and your furnished Surry Hills studio make for relaxing weekend hangouts, but why not have an adventure and take a weekend to the Blue Mountains instead?

The Blue Mountains is only a short train ride away from the bustling city of Sydney and provides a range of activities from cave exploring, viewing the famous Three Sisters formation, 4WD off road tours, abseiling and plenty more. The area is a beautiful getaway that is better known in more than a day, but if a day is all you got, it is definitely still worth the trip.

The Blue Mountains gets its name because the range takes on a blue tone at times, which is actually caused by the ultraviolet rays hitting particles in the air.

If you decide to spend a night or two, there’s a great YHA hostel to book into, which you can get a glimpse of in this video that they provided on the area and typical backpacker activities. Have a look and imagine yourself here for short term accommodation instead of in a furnished property of ours. I know its hard, but it’s only for a weekend, and sometimes you just got to step out of your comfort zone and see what the Sydney area has to offer!

Getting there and around has never been easier. CityRail provides an ExplorerLink Ticket which is good for one day of return travel to Katoomba, as well as an all-day pass on the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus which gives access to 30 Blue Mountains attractions.

For a long weekend out, there is also a 3 day Blue Mountains ExplorerLink ticket which provides the Explorer Bus pass for the 3 days.

October 15, 2009

A common topic running from the lips of many of our tenants is that of money – how to get it, where to get it, and just not having enough! Sydney is not the cheapest to visit, but there are – believe it or not – plenty of things to keep you busy and let you see the city for free!

Beaches:

photo credit: Sir Mervs

No brainer here, eh? The beaches are the shining star when it comes to Sydney tourism, and they live up to their expectations. Grab a towel, your thongs, and some sunblock and head over to Bondi or Coogee if you’re looking to do anything from relaxing and lounging to swimming and surfing.

Harbour Bridge:

photo credit: apdk

A nice, long walk across the Harbour Bridge provides for a great view of the Sydney harbour, while also getting you a good chance to exercise. Luna Park is just on the other end, as well, so why not make a day out of it?

Royal Botanic Gardens:

photo credit: SuperFantastic

The Royal Botanic Gardens provide a getaway within the city. The lush green park is a destination for those wanting to have a picnic or a stroll through tropical surroundings next to the harbour. There’s even some interesting wildlife roaming around.

Museums:

photo credit: my big blue gorilla

The Art Gallery of NSW and the National Maritime Museum are two excellent museums you can access for free. Get your fill of art and history by taking a day, or two, out to see what they have to offer.

So Furnished Property tenants, get yourselves out there and see some more of Sydney. There’s no excuses that you don’t have enough money, because these won’t cost you anything

September 16, 2009

It’s 6am.

Just at 5:59, you were fast asleep in your cosy little bed, dreaming wonderful dreams without the slightest bit of stress or drama to worry your head. Now, however, its 6am and you’re woken up by the sound of a screaming alarm clock, but it’s not yours… it’s your roommate’s!

photo credit: stuartpilbrow

Oh, the joys of living in the same room as someone else. Sure, you get to share the rent, but that cost could come with a lot of other drama that will leave you screaming, “I need a Single Room in Sydney!” Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place because Furnished Property understands that having a single room in Sydney is better than sharing for many reasons, and here’s why:

Privacy! Privacy can cost quite a bit in some cities. Having a single room in Sydney can allow you to do what you want, and when you want it, without annoying your roommate.

You can decorate the walls the way you want, get up as late or as early as you want, listen to whatever music you want, wear as much or as little clothing as you want, and smell as bad or as good as you want.

Yep, you can clean as little or as often as you want, talk on the phone as loudly or softly as you want, and let’s face it – bring whoever or whatever back home with you.

With a single room in Sydney, you can have the privacy to be as calm or wild as you want (BUT within reason if you want to get the bond back) – without disturbing the life of a roommate.

Finding a Single Room in Sydney

Don’t worry! Even though finding a single room in Sydney is difficult, you’ve come to the right spot! The Furnished Property Group has a number of fantastic, and fully furnished, single rooms in Sydney, ready for you to rent right now!

Choose from studios, one bedrooms, or single rooms in shared accommodation (guesthouses). Just give us a call, and we’ll put you in a single room in Sydney, ASAP!

September 14, 2009

photo credit: robstephaustralia

September 7, 2009

Sitting on the train yesterday, I overheard a couple talking about the new Quentin Tarantino film “Inglourious Basterds”. They obviously liked it and spent the entire ride to Central replaying clips with excitement, including the gory, bloody parts that can make someone squeamish. The guy had even seen it two times at the cinema, which in my mind means a lot for a movie, so I thought – after seeing it myself and loving it – that it deserves a little shout-out.

The short story, as put by MovieWeb.com, is: “In ‘Inglorious Bastards,’ a band of U.S. soldiers facing death by firing squad for their misdeeds are given a chance to redeem themselves by heading into the perilous no-man’s lands of Nazi-occupied France on a suicide mission for the Allies.”

Users on the Internet Movie Database gave the movie a rating of 8.7/10 from 44,671 votes!

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an 88% on the Tomatometer and describes it as “…a classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride. Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining.”

Not convincing enough? Have a look at the trailer:

What do you think Furnished Property tenants? If you’ve seen it, did you like it? And if not, are you going to go to the cinema now?!

August 27, 2009

If you’re thinking about working in a bar, cafe or restaurant in New South Wales that sells alcohol and don’t have your RSA, think again. The RSA, or Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate, is required at establishments around Sydney and New South Wales to ensure that wait staff and other employees are educated in this sector. Serving alcohol should only be completed with the proper knowledge to protect your customer, you, and the business you work for.

photo credit: avlxyz

Who needs an RSA?
An RSA is generally required for anyone wanting to work with a company selling or promoting alcohol products. Wait staff, liquor shop attendants and security workers at a club all require an RSA in order to be employed in the New South Wales state. Other states also require the certificate, but many are not recognised in any state other than the one that issued it.

How do I get an RSA?
The class is usually a 6 hour long program that can be completed in one or more days. The average cost is around $85 and are offered at various venues around Sydney.

• Training Course Professionals
• 5 Star Quality Training Centres
• Australian Training & Safety Institute
• Australian Training Solutions

What will I learn in training?
Even though responsible alcohol service seems to most to be a no-brainer, you might find that the course is actually quite eye-opening. Many people may not really think about how to respond in certain situations until the moment arises, therefore making the RSA course the best practice someone can get. The topics covered include much of the following:

• Alcohol guidelines
• Underage drinking
• Strategies for avoiding overintoxication

When looking at the topics above, it is definitely clear how employers, as well as customers and employees, are benefited by the RSA course requirement. Since it is a needed item in these parts to work in the hospitality industry, your best bet is to sign up for a course as soon as you arrive in Sydney. Really, it is only a small investment when thinking about the importance of the topic, and there is just no point in applying for those jobs if they might immediately cast you off without it.

Good luck, and happy job hunting!

August 20, 2009

photo credit: JonDissed

Looking for something to do – an activity that can be shared with friends in a comfortable setting and possibly results in a prize? If so, then Trivia Nights at your local pub are the way to go when you are in and around the Sydney area. Trivia nights have become quite popular down under, so I’m sure if you take a minute to walk to your nearest pub, they will most likely offer a trivia night on some day of the week. It’s hours of evening entertainment that’s perfect for when you don’t want to have a late night out.

What is pub trivia?
Well, if you don’t know this, maybe you shouldn’t… uh… go to trivia? No, but seriously, it is basically like the name suggests – a trivia competition held in a pub. Usually trivia goers will work in a team to answer some of the mind-boggling questions the quizmaster throws at them, which they will then write on a designated score sheet to hand in at the end of the night for checking. There might be various rounds on different topics, such as sports, celebrities, music and more, fully testing a team’s knowledge on a broad scale.

Why is pub trivia fun?
Pub trivia is so much fun because it takes place in the company of friends in a laid-back pub environment. In addition, it is usually free to join in, but you’re at a pub already so why not relax and have a beer or two in the process? And, if you are the team that happens to know more random and worthless facts than the others, then you just might get yourselves a nice prize, such as cash or vouchers for the bar!

Where can I find pub trivia near me?
Like I said before, pub trivia can be found at numerous pubs around Sydney, and if you are too lazy to take my advice and just walk to the nearest pub to check, then this list might help. Even though the pubs on this list are not all in the central city area near TFPG properties, we still think it is worth mentioning the other suburbs in case you have friends in those areas. If you know of other trivia nights not mentioned, please leave a comment and we will add those to our list!

MONDAYS
Bull & Bush Hotel, Baulkham Hills 7:30 PM
Crocodile Farm Hotel, Ashfield 7:00 PM
Toxteth Hotel, Glebe 8:00 PM

TUESDAYS
Alfred Hotel, Camperdown 8:00 PM
Bar Cleveland, Surry Hills 7:30 PM
Berowra Village Tavern, Berowra 7:30 PM
Coopers Hotel, Newtown 7:15PM
Fringe Bar, Paddington 7:00 PM
North Bondi RSL, Nth Bondi 7:30 PM
Rag & Famish, North Sydney 7:30 PM

WEDNESDAYS
Bridgeview Hotel, Willoughby 7:30 PM
Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill 8:00 PM
Club Swans, Kings Cross 7:30 PM
Forresters Hotel, Surry Hills 7:30 PM
Freeway Hotel, Artarmon 7:30 PM
Greengate Hotel, Killara 7:00 PM
Marly Bar, Newtown 7:30 PM
Point Hotel, Pyrmont 7:30 PM
Red Cow Inn, Penrith 7:30 PM
Tailors on Central, Surry Hills 7:00 PM
Union Hotel, Newtown 7:30 PM

THURSDAYS
Gladstone Park Hotel, Leichhardt 7:30 PM
Grosvenor Hotel, Waterloo 7:30 PM
Kelly’s on King, Newtown 8:00 PM
Kurrajong Hotel, Erskineville 7:00 PM
Roseville Memorial Club, Roseville 7:30 PM
Zanzibar, Newtown 7:30 PM

*This list is just a starting point. We suggest you phone ahead to double check that no schedule changes have been made.

How do I join?
Joining is as easy as finding a few willing friends and heading down to the pub. After you arrive, make sure to grab the designated scoring sheets, a table and, most importantly, a few cold ones to go around (thinking juice, right?). And that’s all it takes!

So, if you need something to entertain yourself and don’t want to sit quietly at the movie theater or spend tons of money, then pub trivia nights around Sydney are an excellent option. But, do us all a favour and leave your mobiles off and cheat sheets at home because no one likes a cheater!

Take our Poll: Do you take part in Pub Trivia around Sydney?

July 8, 2009

In the last post we mentioned the details of making sure you are ready to drive in and around Sydney. Now that you have yourself ready to go, we have decided to compile a couple of options for the roadtrip of your dreams!

A roadtrip is just not as fun in a crowded space, so why not look into renting a van or camper van? There are a couple of companies around Sydney that have the perfect option for any type of excursion.

Travellers Auto Barn rents out cars, vans and camper vans especially focused towards the true roadtrip experience. Some are even decked out with beds! Anyone over 18 that is licensed can rent a vehicle, which can be picked up from one office and dropped off at another across the country.

Visit the website for more details.

The nearest office is located at 177 Wiiliam Street, Kings Cross, Sydney NSW Australia 2011.

Wicked Campers offers basically the same as Travellers Auto Barn, but they do it with totally wicked designs. They even have a NAKED special meaning if you show up to the garage completely NAKED, you get your first day FREE! (applies to 14+ day plus rentals).

Check the website for more information.

The nearest office is located at Gate 407, George Street Waterloo Sydney, Australia.

There you have it! I’m sure you have plenty of trip ideas in your heads by now, but if you still need help, both of these websites provide plenty. Happy roadtripping!

July 5, 2009

To get a true view of the Australian countryside and just have a great time with friends, many travellers find that taking advantage of their driving skills while down under is the way to go. But, are you all set and ready to roll? Read on to get the info behind driving in Australia as an overseas visitor.

photo credit: Nicholas_T

An international visitor to New South Wales would be classified as any person that is in the area on a non-permanent visa (short-term workers, tourists, students and working holiday goers). For these people, a valid driver’s license from their home country should be sufficient if it meets these requirements:

• Your status does not change from temporary to permanent
• Your license remains valid and updated
• You have not been disqualified from driving in NSW or elsewhere and
• You have not had your driving priviledges suspended for any reason.

When driving, the drivers license must be present and it must be written in English, or be accompanied by a valid English translation. If you are a New Zealand resident, an official NSW license must be obtained before 3 months in Australia.

If you are a visitor and want to obtain a NSW license, you can do so after 6 consecutive months in NSW.

For further information, please take a look at the RTA website.

Stay tuned for the next post that will have some tips for getting behind the wheel in Oz. Before you know it, you’ll be on the open road having a great trip, but just don’t forget which side of the road you are driving on!

June 8, 2009

As part of celebrating another year in my life, I was taken to the Hunter Valley last weekend for some wine and fun with some friends. Even though it rained off and on, the Hunter Valley was still a beautiful place to visit that I would recommend to any visitor around Australia.

The Budget Way

Did you know the Hunter Valley area has a YHA? That’s perfect for travelers looking to take advantage of the famous wine region while also staying in a place where you can meet other travelers. Getting there shouldn’t be a problem since you can catch a bus there from Sydney (arranging the transport through the hostel of course).

Once in the Hunter, you can coordinate a small shuttle service to take a tour of some of the amazing wineries in the area.

The Not-So-Budget Way

If you want more freedom during your trip to Hunter Valley, you can always take a car, or rent one, for the journey. With this option, definitely make sure you have a designated driver along for the ride – you know, someone actually willing to spit the wine out after tasting. Drinking and driving is something to NOT mess around with. Also, be aware that many shuttle services are around if you’re wanting to partake in many tastings and not have to spit.

Hunter Valley is swarming with accommodation options, some very romantic and luxurious. Or, if you have a group of people, renting your own private cottage is a great idea! You’ll find that a simple Google search will result in more than enough options to keep you busy.

What To Do

No matter how you get there, and how you decide to spend your nights, there are plenty of day activities that everyone can partake in.

1) Wineries – Since there are so many to hit up, it is probably best to get recommendations from people who have been before.

2) Cheese – What goes better with wine than some great cheese? Be sure to stop by the Smelly Cheese Shop to taste a few!

3) Breweries – There’s not just wine in the Hunter. Take a stop at the Potters Hotel & Brewery for a nice tour.

4) Pubs – A pub lunch may be in order, so take a look at Harrigans Irish Pub.

5) Kangaroos – Watch out! There are so many kangaroos, you will need to keep an eye out while driving!

6) Zoo – If all the wild kangaroos weren’t enough, check out the Hunter Valley Zoo.

7) Chocolate – If you love chocolate, then stop by the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company while you’re around.

You might be surprised to know just how much there is to do and see in Hunter Valley. I could have spent many more days wandering around the vineyards last weekend, even in the light rain. It is a wonderful getaway from Sydney City.