Hey there! Now that our new blog is well and truly up and running, we want to know what YOU want! What do you want to read about? What do you want to say? Posting comments on this blog or our facebook page, tweeting us, or emailing me (georgia@furnishedproperty.com.au) are all perfect ways to share your Sydney experience with people just like you! So jump on and tell us what you think!

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• Furnished Property getaway guide: Melbourne
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WARNING: This article is super-long, but chock-full of great tips. Stay with us!

WHY MELBOURNE?
Whilst Sydney is the largest city in Australia, Melbourne is considered the cultural hub of the nation. No matter what your tastes, there’s something in Melbourne for you. From secret clubs hidden down city laneways to shopping in the biggest designer stores in the Southern Hemisphere, we guarantee that you’ll love Melbourne.

GETTING THERE:
The two most common ways to get to Melbourne are driving and flying. The drive down to Melbourne is a beautiful, scenic coastal route, so if you’re after a road trip then this is the way to go. However this will take you at least two days, if not longer, so it’s faster, safer and cheaper to fly. Both Jetstar and Virgin Blue have flights leaving to Melbourne at multiple times each day.

STAYING THERE – ACCOMODATION:
There are plenty of good quality hostels and guesthouses in Melbourne. Some that we looked at included The Greenhouse Backpacker, the Melbourne Central YHA, or the St. Arnaud guesthouse. However we ended up not taking any of these options, instead finding an excellent deal on a site called lastminute.com. Hotels with rooms available will advertise their rooms secretly on this website at a greatly reduced price. It worked a treat for us, but if you’re not too keen on the secret bit, then the website also has publicly advertised hotels at reduced rates.

WHAT TO DO:

The Markets: Queen Victoria Markets

These markets are so vibrant, fresh and cheap, you’ll never want to eat anywhere else ever again! From fruit and vegetable stalls to bakeries, butchers, delis, cafés and even the occasional chocolate or alcohol retailer, you know you’re getting the freshest food around. I recommend going for breakfast or lunch, buying yourself a bread roll and some cold meats, sitting out in the laneway on the seats provided and taking in the atmosphere.

http://www.qvm.com.au/

The Café: That place

This place is so great that we hardly went to another café the whole time we were there. Located in the heart of the city, this place – which is actually called “That Place” – has basically everything you could ask for, and all at a reasonable price. The coffee is superb, and the milkshakes and iced coffees are among the best I’ve ever tasted. They also offer light snacks, as well as a great range of larger meals – and almost all of these are under $10! That Place is highly recommended. That having been said, there are more amazing cafés in this city than you could poke a stick at, so be adventurous – it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

http://www.beanhunter.com/cafes/review/that-place-cafe

The Diner: Bimbo Deluxe

Perhaps the name isn’t too appealing, but you’ll change your mind once you’ve stepped inside and tasted their pizzas. Priced at $4 on Sunday – Thursday from 7-11pm, weekdays 12-4pm, and Saturday 7-9pm, you’d be pretty hard pressed to find a better value pizza anywhere. And the price is no indication of the quality – these pizzas are 100% gourmet. There are also a range of dessert pizzas, multiple drinks on tap (including some boutique beers and ciders), and generally an excellent vibe. And, the cherry on top – it’s located in Melbourne’s chic Brunswick st shopping precinct. A winner all round!

http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/

The Shops: Brunswick and Smith sts

If you’re into alternative stores, op-shops and boutiques, look no further than Fitroy strip malls Brunswick st and Smith st. Here you’ll find one off, small chain and exclusive to Melbourne designer boutiques nestled in amongst cheap as chips op shops. Smith st is the cheaper of the two, but has less of the designer stores. For the ladies, I would recommend Kinky Gerlinky and Lion in Love, both on Brunswick st.

Check this out – the streets have their own websites, complete with full, high-res interactive street view!
http://www.brunswickstreet.com.au/
http://www.smithstreet.net.au/

The Culture: Laneways

The city of Melbourne is famous for its laneway culture. The laneways are a series of alleyways and side-streets throughout the city centre which are host to a feast of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and street art. We won’t recommend any specific laneways to you, because it’s so much fun to discover them for yourselves.

If you want more information though, go here: included is a full list of Melbourne’s laneways:
http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=9408

The attraction: Tim Burton exhibition

Running until October 10th, this prolific exhibition celebrates the macabre world of Tim Burton’s creations. Included in the gallery exhibition are costumes, set pieces and props from some of his films; as well as storyboards, incidental sketches and even letters and stories he wrote in his youth. If you go at the right times, you can also catch a screening of one of his films, other films which inspired him, or documentaries and other examinations of Burton’s work.

http://www.acmi.net.au/timburton.aspx

The secret club: The Croft Institute

We found this club by accident, and it was a terrifically fun adventure. You’ll almost certainly need to google it in order to find it. To get there, you have to go down a graffiti-covered alley that twists and turns around until you’re hardly sure which direction you came from. Down this rabbit hole you’ll find a venue that is the perfect mix of cool and simple. There is a downstairs area which is a bit more chilled, usually host to some cracking hip-hop beats, and an upstairs area open on weekends, playing host to some fresh house, electro and dance DJs. This blurb doesn’t do the place justice, so check out the website to get a better idea of the vibe!

http://thecroftinstitute.net/

The live music venue: Yah Yah’s

If you’re willing to go for a bit of a risk, Yah Yah’s is the place it’s likely to pay off. Here you’ll find all kinds of live music – the website boasts “rock, soul, garage, surf, exotica, 60s, 70s and more.” All acts are likely to be independent and/or unsigned, but there’s still a huge amount of quality. Drinks are cheap and the vibe is cool. A warning, though – ear plugs are available for sale at $2 a pop at the bar, and you’ll need them!

http://www.yahyahs.com.au/

Phew! What a marathon article! But the fact is that these tips are just the tip of the iceberg. Part of the beauty of Melbourne is that there’s so much to be discovered. So whether you’re going on your own, with friends, or with your partner, you’re guaranteed to have a ball. If you go, let us know what you did and how you found it!

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We’ve got two shiny new guesthouses – number 5 and number 7, Oatley road, Paddington – on the market! Have a look at this neat little walk-through of number 5:

Enjoy!

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photo credit: Duquesa Mercedes

The Good

Cheaper - The most important point for many backpackers comes down to the price tag. Travelling in lesser-developed countries gives them the ability to stretch the money that much further since the cost is frequently much lower. In this sense, backpacking often gives people the opportunity to build on their budgeting and planning skills and helps them learn how to make decisions based on value (*tell that one to your parents).

More Culturally Authentic – If the culture hasn’t been touched as much by present technology, then chances are it will provide a more authentic cultural experience, allowing you to get a better idea of the true behaviour of the people.

Unforgettable Scenery – Some of the most untouchable places on earth supply the most breathtaking scenery. Envision climbing volcanic peaks, crossing desert mounds and trekking through jungles.

The Bad

Less Security – Funding proper police forces and other security measures is problematic for developing countries, meaning many officers turn to corrupt methods to get a decent paycheque. Because of this, a traveller can never be 100% sure of their protection.

More Difficult / Dangerous Transport – Funding problems also mean that roads might not meet proper safety regulations, or be nothing more than a dirt road. Transport can lead through dangerous terrain, such as mountainous hills, making it something to be concerned about.

More Petty Theft – Watch your pockets! Money belts will become your best friend as sneaky pros and rambunctious kids eye your wallets. Again, economies with less money will have more sticky fingers to worry about, especially when they see a traveller coming their way.

The Ugly

Greater Health Risks – Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Malaria… the list goes on. Some of these illnesses can have horrible side effects, or even cause death if not treated. Be sure to get your vaccinations and take all necessary precautions.

Greater Security Threats – It might be possible in some countries to become the target for terrorist activity, or to get caught in the middle of a war. If you happen to be travelling in a country full of civil unrest, try your best to stay on top of the news.

Is it worth it?

photo credit: Gusjer

My personal story:
“I was overcome by anxiety before my flight to Kyrgyzstan, a small, unknown country that most people don’t even know exists. I had all my necessary medications, vaccines, and safety tactics I could think of, only to be surprised by the extreme ease at which life travelled. My host family took me in as one of their own, and when I decided to leave for my own apartment, I was surrounded by glorious mountains in every which direction and neighbours that quickly proved why the Kyrgyz are known for their hospitable ways. I cannot even begin to explain the ways travelling to this country has changed me. In my opinion, it is very much so worth it.”

What do you think, Furnished Property tenants? Does the good of travelling to the Third World outweigh the bad? We want to hear your personal stories on how this type of travel has, or has not, changed you.

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• Meet Ashley and Michael

Sean spent some time at 252 Campbell Parade, and, because of the amazing views of the beach, decided to make a video for us. Thanks so much for the video. We loved it! Take a look!

As for the other participants, great work! We were thrilled with the turnout and apologize for any delays in the judging process. Thanks!

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Features:

Two bedrooms
One bathroom
Centrally located
Polished floorboards

Apartment Includes:

Full Lounge Room Fitout
Full Kitchen Fitout
TV/DVDorVCR
Laundry Facilities
Views
Bus access to Bondi Junction
Bus Access to City
Walk to Central Station

Rooms Include:

TV
DVD/VCR
Lounge Set
Chairs
Coffee Table
Commercial Quality King Bed
2 Commercial Quality King Single Beds
Pine Wardrobes
Pine Drawers

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Additionally, we have realized that since it is a holiday, it is probably also a great day for our tenants to finish and perfect their videos.

So, now, videos must be submitted no later than 11:59pm on Monday, June 8th. The finalists will be announced on Tuesday, June 9th and voting will open to the public!

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• Become a Fan and Win!
• And the winner is… !

photo credit: alancleaver_2000

Could you use a little extra spending money? How about $300 to be exact?! The Furnished Property Group is giving you the chance to win just that with The Video Contest for Cash!

All you have to do is create a video – 90 seconds or less – showcasing your favorite part of living in your furnished property. You can talk about anything – the view, the location, the beds, the privacy, etc. It doesn’t have to be professional. We just want creativity! So, for example, if your favorite part of your property is the closeness to the city, you could create a video of you starting your day at home and then walking to the city, but in 90 seconds or less of course!

Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 7th 2009

Who can participate? All tenants currently in TFPG, or those who will be signed up and with submissions sent before the closing date. Basically, you must be a tenant within the dates of May 18 – June 7, 2009.

For complete rules and some FAQs, refer to the Video Contest Rules page on this website. If there is anything not covered, please leave a comment and I’ll answer it ASAP. Chances are if you have a question, someone else does, too.

What are you waiting for? Just think of what fun you could be having with $300!

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An apartment and small salary are offered to capable and organised building manager/s for our 40 Bedroom guesthouse in Elizabeth Bay.

Duties include daily cleaning of property common areas to ensure that property is well maintained and presented, filing a weekly report to landlords, ensuring there are no behaviour problems and ensuring the apartments/rooms are in good order.

The house manager position is perfect for responsible students or professionals (couples, too!) looking to save money.

Applicants must have view to take a 12 month contract. If interested in applying for the position, please email a cover letter and CV to shared@furnishedproperty.com.au. We look forward to working with you!

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This 3 bedroom apartment will take your breath away and become your home away from home during your time working, traveling, or playing in Oz.

It is spacious, well furnished, bright and carpeted throughout. The kitchen is well equipped, so you won’t need to worry about how you’ll get dinner on, and the bedrooms are comfortable with plenty of storage space for whatever you might acquire along the way.

Take advantage of the great location, being just a short walk to the world reknowned Bondi Beach. There are extensive activities on offer, from the shops and restaurants to relaxing on the famous sands of Bondi. Even better is the fact that it is only 20 minutes to the City on public transport.

[View with PicLens]

Features:

• Located close to Bondi Beach
• Carpeted throughout
• Sunny outlook
• Comfortable furnishings
• Shared Laundry
• Close to Bondi JCT, Tamarama and Bronte beaches
• Close to bus stops

Apartment Includes:

• Full Lounge Room Fitout
• Full Kitchen Fitout
• TV/DVDorVCR
• Dining Set
• Laundry Facilities
• Security Building
• Walk to Bondi Junction
• Walk to Bondi Beach

If you might be interested in a 3 bedroom apartment in Bondi such as this, then don’t hesitate to contact The Furnished Property Group for a tour.

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