January 18, 2012

The Surry Hills region of Sydney, accessible via tram, bus or rail from downtown Sydney and surrounds, offers an interesting view of the city for young, urban visitors. Long known as the centre of wholesale fashion for the area, Surry Hills is a shopping mecca for those looking to score great deals on trendy attire and celeb-spot in stylish boutiques.

Shopping at Surry Hills

Crown Street will be your primary target if you’re going shopping in Surry Hills. This urban street glitters with an intoxicating mix of casual cafés, eclectic homeware stores and modern fashion boutiques. You will also want to check out Cleveland Street for a run through the Surry Hills Shopping Village. Next, skip over to Oxford Street and browse Oxford Square. The Surry Hills Markets hold great appeal for locals, and tourists alike, who know how to spot a shopping opportunity when it strikes.

If you’re near Mary Street, take the time to browse in Kyotap. This is the boutique of designer Fiona Buckingham, featuring clothing made with natural materials and an Eastern flavour. The Candy Store, on Bourke St, is also a must-see destination to marvel at the season’s best couture picks.

The Zoo Emporium on Campbell Street offers retro and recycled picks for the best in amazing budget buys. With a fun, frantic atmosphere and laid back prices, Zoo is a stand-out alternative to paying full price, and you’ll end up with something far more special.

Entertainment and Eateries at Surry Hills

Surrey Hills has quite possibly the highest concentration of restaurants in Sydney, ensuring cultural fare for nearly any type of cuisine desired. Along with the traditional restaurants, you’ll also love visiting the seemingly endless pubs that populate the shopping district. If you’re looking for a great pub to while away a few hours, drop by the White Horse Hotel on Crown Street or the Clarendon Hotel on Devonshire. From Art Deco to Victorian to ultra-modern, there’s a match every outfit and desired decore, all within a few city blocks.

If you prefer casual dining, make time to visit Bird Cow Fish on Crown Street- their espresso bar is well worth the visit. For cocktails or a gourmet meal out, the C-ique Design Bar is an awesome choice; call in advance to see if you can organise a booking to coincide with one of their cult film nights.

For great meals on the cheap, try the Bourke Street Bakery, offering blissful breakfast and brunch, or the Shakespeare Hotel on Devonshire Street. If you prefer a French bent to your morning feasts, the Lumierre Cafe & Patisserie on Bourke Street has a selection of affordable breakfast and brunch offerings.

Tourist Spots at Surry Hills

Sydney and the Surry Hills area in particular, are well known for its great diversity in cultures, and the incredible Churches are no exception. Make sure to visit the historic locations of the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, the St. Michaels Anglican Church and St. Peters Catholic Church.

Take a box lunch to Prince Alfred Park or Harmony Park for a peaceful outing, and be sure to visit the Surry Hills Library to enjoy the plentiful works by Sydney-dwelling authors.

Now that you’re in love with the area, drop by Furnished Property and find a great flat of your own. You may be surprised to see how well you can live on a lower budget, especially with shared or student accommodations.

June 1, 2011

International students and backpackers often find themselves short of a few dollars when they arrive in Australia. You may have arrived from a place where a hearty street food meal can cost less than a dollar, so when you land in Australia the cost of food can become a bit of a shock to your wallet!

Being a student myself only a few years ago, I know how this feels and would like to share with you five great tips to save on meals while still eating well in Australia.

1. Cheap Tuesdays are an Australian phenomenon and most pubs, cafes and restaurants have great buy-one-get-one-free or discounted steak dinners on a Tuesday evening. A great chance to get out and about, get to know your new neighbourhood and sample a tasty delicious meal!
2. Try your luck with a traditional meat raffle at your local RSL Club on a Friday. If you and your mates put in a few dollars you could go home with a big tray of steaks and sausages! Beer is often a dollar or two cheaper at the RSL’s too so you can justify having a couple of beers while you wait for your lucky ticket to be drawn!
3. Look for the specials. When the supermarket has specials on mince, chicken, pasta, cheese and other bulk items, buy a little more and store it in the freezer or pantry. If you are sharing an apartment, get everyone to chip in and you will have tasty ingredients for weeks!
4. Take your lunch to work. This will save you up to $10 a day by the time you have bought a coffee and a sausage roll. Make a large lasagne, portion it up and put it in the freezer; you’ll have a filling lunch that saves you money and sees you through to dinner time.
5. Late night shopping. Get to the supermarket later at night just before closing. Bread, milk, and cooked BBQ chickens that can’t be sold the next day are often at rock bottom prices. If you’re sharing an apartment, all chip in and for just a few dollars you can put together an excellent meal for next to nothing.

Eating well and cheaply is achievable in Australia, giving you and your flatmates a chance to save those dollars. Who wants to spend their hard earned cash on over-priced groceries when you could be saving to your travelling adventure, pair of new jeans or just going out with your friends.

July 22, 2010

Hey folks! It’s Georgia, the blogger for the Furnished Property website. I’ve just come back from a week in Melbourne, and I had an absolute blast! So I thought I’d let you guys know where are the best places to go with some friends, flatmates, or that special someone to have a great time.

WARNING: This article is super-long, but chock-full of great tips. Stay with us!

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July 8, 2010

Midnight Snack in Kings Cross

If you and your flatmates love going out in the cross, you’ll know that after the clock strikes 10, the majority of food options available are less than appetizing. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the yummiest, cheapest food joints open late around Kings Cross.

SPANISH SNACKS: CAFÉ HERNANDEZ

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June 24, 2010

If you and your flatmates get bored of huddling up at home in your Sydney furnished apartment this winter, don’t despair! There are some amazing Winter Festivals coming up in the city and at Bondi. Here’s some more info…

SYDNEY’S WINTER WONDERLAND

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June 4, 2010

If your furnished apartment is in Glebe or Bondi, and you and your flatmates are chocolate lovers, then we have the place for you! San Churro is the perfect café to chill with your housemates and get some great Spanish chocolate treats.

CAFÉ REVIEW – San Churro

Shop 5/84 Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach

OR

47 Glebe Point Road,
Glebe

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May 28, 2010

If you and your flatmates are looking for somewhere to eat in Sydney and want to do it on a small budget, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ll have a series of reviews of cheap and affordable cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs around Sydney coming up in the next few weeks.

So, let’s kick things off!

RESTAURANT REVIEW – The Italian Bowl

255 King St
Newtown

Prices: Great considering the large serving sizes. $10 for basic pastas, up to $15 for veal and chicken main dishes.

Food: Serving sizes are generous, and food is always fresh and delicious.

Service: Speedy and very friendly.

Atmosphere: Awesome. There are tables for groups, as well as a bench with stools if you come alone or with a friend. The bench looks into the kitchen which is completely exposed to the restaurant, and the chefs are always talkative, funny and very friendly. In addition, the walls are covered with the signatures of the celebrities that have eaten at the restaurant.

Take Away: Yes
EFTPOS: Yes
Close to: Bars, pubs, cafes – it’s right in the middle of Newtown’s lively King St.
Public transport: Bus stop just outside the restaurant, or Newtown train station 150m down the road

RATING: 9/10