January 27, 2012

The Randwick suburb of Sydney is best known as Australia’s home of horse racing and the one of the countries greatest universities, University of New South Wales. UNSW offers almost 300 undergraduate programs along with several postgraduate programs in a broad number of disciplines. If you’re considering attending this school, make sure to schedule a tour of campus while you’re in town.

photo credit: Jeff Kubina

Off to the Races

Whether you love the thrill of betting on the horses or just enjoy watching the sport, going to the races will get your heart pumping and provide a full day’s worth of fun. The Royal Randwick Racecourse is known world-wide and is one of the premier attractions that Sydney has to offer. Locals and tourists alike flood the Betting Auditorium most Wednesdays and Saturdays.

While you’re there, you can also get in on other sports betting activities and enjoy dressing up in your finest races-worthy attire. If the hussle bussle of race day becomes too much for you, you can always hang out in the bar or grab a bite in Argy’s Café.

Shopping and Sightseeing at Randwick

Shopping fanatics will want to plan a trip into Randwick’s central business district for the Royal Randwick Shopping Centre. Here’s you’ll find tons of bargain-friendly boutiques and stores, including the Best & Less, Ella Bache and Millennium Babe.

While you’re there, you can grab a quick bite at one of the many restaurants inside the centre. Outside, in the surrounding area, you can choose cuisine from nearly any nation or culture. The Pinto Thong Thai restaurant has a great selection, and you can’t beat the menu at Little Istanbul Turkish.

For seafood with a whimsical bent, try Chish N Fips on Arden Street. The atmosphere here is laid back and fun, and the staff will have you laughing before you’ve finished ordering.

Randwick Indoor or Outdoor

No matter how you like to have fun and relax you’ll be able to keep busy in Randwick. If you’re a fan of the outdoors you can grab an early bus for a day at Bondi Beach or Coogee Beach. Sampling the fresh, local seafood is a must out here; try Fishmongers on Hall Street or the Skinny Dip just down the road. For a great coffee and snack menu Gertrude and Alice has you sorted.

Those who prefer to stay inside can catch a flick at the local cinema or enjoy a few games of ten-pin bowling. If you feel like splurging on a romantic meal, try the Montparnasse Café on St. Paul’s Street. To keep to your budget BYO wine can make a great meal out more affordable, and sometimes more special too. Keep in mind that ordering from the lunch menu will cost much less, so why not head out for an afternoon meal.

Furnished Apartments at Randwick

If you’re planning on staying in the Randwick area of Sydney, make sure to check out Furnished Property before you finalize your plans. You will be able to grab a great two-bedroom apartment for your trip, complete with a full bath. The properties for rent here are fully furnished with modern facilities in the kitchen and lounge. They are also located near public transportation, making it easy for you to get around the city.

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.

August 12, 2011

Australia has a very high quality of food and what visitors to Sydney know is that this city is the place to hunt out a great steak dinner. Succulent, juicy steaks to satisfy the biggest of appetites are all available here! Here are five places to have a steak in Sydney from a fantastic pub meal to something a bit more special..

1. Hurricanes in Darling Harbour if a favourite amongst locals for delicious steaks. If you are craving a Fred Flintstone size dino steak then this is the place to come! The menu contains steaks from small to gigantic, mixed with chicken and ribs. For a big appetite why not try the half rack of ribs with a steak? You won’t need to eat for a day or two after coming here! The atmosphere is buzzing and the constant queues outside for tables lets you know the food is good. Bookings are essential if you don’t want to wait until 9 p.m. to eat. A meal is approximately $30-$35 for a main.
2. Want something a little more formal? Then head to Kingsleys Steak & Crabhouse which is a great restaurant with wonderful views of the harbour. Here you can enjoy the finest cuts from rib eye to New York strip and if money is no object you can send your tastebuds to heaven with the Wagyu rib on the bone. For those that don’t like steak, these guys are the crab masters serving up Alaskan, king and mud crab as well.
3. For some good old Australian pub steak head to the Hotel Mosman which has been serving up its famous porterhouse steak with mash for years at a great price. You can choose from a range of sauces but the indulgent bearnaise sauce which goes great with the smooth creamy mash.
4. The Buena Vista Hotel also in Mosman, has great steak choices usually between $25-$30. If you’re picky about how your steak is done, you can cook it yourself or get the chefs to do it for you. The portions are large and the steak is tender, what more could you ask for?
5. The iconic hotel, The Oaks, in Neutral Bay has its own steakhouse. You can choose your own steak (they even serve up kangaroo steaks) and cook it on the BBQs with a beer in hand like a true Aussie. This place gets busy on a Friday night and even busier in summer so get in early if you want a table! Steak meals start at about $25.

Part of the fun is seeking out the restaurant or pub to find the best steak.The best thing about staying at Furnished Property furnished apartments in Sydney is that you’ll always be close enough to explore Sydney’s best steak restaurants and pubs.

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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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