August 4, 2011

As with any big, modern city, filling up your weekend with fun things to do can empty your wallet pretty quickly. But in Sydney, if you know where to look there are plenty of things to do for free!

Here are top five picks for an enjoyable day in Sydney and the most it will cost you is the money for a coffee, snack or maybe an ice cream. If you take a packed lunch it won’t even cost you anything!

The Botanical Gardens are huge, perfectly designed gardens packed full of flora and fauna which hug the sparkling blue waters of Sydney Harbour. There is so much to see and do here; have tea at the coffee shop nestled in the middle of the gardens, wander around the Chinese garden and smell and touch the fragrant herbs in the herbarium. Ibis’ and ducks live peacefully on the ponds and your nose will soon sniff out the fruit bats that hang like fruit from the tall trees; hundreds of them in fact, they are currently trying to be moved on humanely as they are damaging the trees. You can’t blame them though, if I were a fruit bat what better place to call home than the botanical gardens!

Darling Harbour is a great place to go to see street performers and there is also a jam-packed calendar of free events throughout the year. There are often free festivals, artworks and firework displays around Darling Harbour which you can take part in or watch from one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is a great way to get your arts fix. This museum holds works from contemporary artists around the world that you can peruse for free! There are also exhibitions throughout the year that require an entry fee but the majority of the artworks, installations and sculptures can be seen for free.

The Sydney Observatory on Sydney Harbour is Australia’s oldest working observatory. It has free general entry to gain access to the ground and first floors to learn about how important the observatory was for science, shipping and meteorology in the 1800s.  There are also lovely gardens to explore and the views form the aptly named Observatory Hill are charming. If you do want to peek through one of the powerful telescopes or do some star watching by night there is a little extra charge.

The Australian Maritime Museum on Darling Harbour has free entry to any core or temporary exhibitions and is a great day for the whole family. A peek at the moored submarine is really worth a look and even non-maritime fans will love the exhibitions and displays.

There is so much more to do for free in Sydney if you search in the right places but these ideas should keep you occupied for a while and Furnished Property will have a comfy furnished apartment for you to rest your weary legs!

June 24, 2011

Sundays are a great day to relax, unwind and take in all that Sydney has to offer. Whether you want to take it easy or get some exercise in, you can do it all right here in Sydney. So if you’re at a loose end, these ideas may inspire you!

Sunday Markets in Sydney

Sunday markets are big in Sydney. In any major town there will be a market on whether it’s a farmers market where you can pick up some great Australian produce, or a trash and treasure where you can pick up a great vintage item and rummage through old books to your heart’s content. There are also the main tourist markets such as Paddy’s Market or The Rocks Market where you can buy all your souvenirs and Australiana to send to loved ones back home.  Check out our favourite Sydney markets for a greater list of Sydney’s markets.

Sunday Brunch in Sydney

Breakfast or brunch is a fantastic way to unwind with friends and watch the world go by. A real treat is to sit outside with a hearty or healthy breakfast and enjoy a great cup of coffee. It’s also a good opportunity to try out different cafes and take a leisurely wander around different areas of Sydney afterwards.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is a great Sunday spot. Here you can walk the whole way around the park, have a picnic or invite friends to meet and have a BBQ. There is Sunday league soccer played there most Sundays during the season and many joggers, walkers and even the odd rollerblader can be spotted at the park. You can hire out bikes to take a tour, or take a horse for a ride and there is a cafe and restaurant to re-fuel and rest your tired legs afterwards. Take care around Kippax Lake as the swans are nesting throughout June, so keep your distance and see a little wildlife!

Yum Cha

Yum Cha on a Sunday is a great way to experience Sydney’s Chinatown. Head to Dixon Street and enjoy sampling all kinds of dishes from pork buns to squid and stuffed eggplant. Wash it all down with some Jasmine tea and you’ll be surprised at how reasonable the bill is when it arrives! Afterwards take a stroll around Haymarket and do some shopping, before heading back to your furnished apartment in the city.

There are so many things to do in Sydney on a Sunday, most of them for free. Whether you keep it local or head into the city you will never be bored on a Sunday while you’re here!

June 15, 2011

If you’re coming to Australia from Europe, Asia or America you might feel that the price of a pint (or schooner) can seem a little pricey. You should be able to hit the town once in a while and enjoy yourself with your mates, but maybe you feel that you need to curb your spending?

Well, you don’t need to sacrifice too much as most hotels and bars have great deals during the week if you hunt them out. Don’t worry either, it doesn’t mean your big night out needs to be on a Monday! Friday night is big on the Sydney social scene, particularly with the after-work crowd and tourists in the city; so many establishments are looking to bring in the most customers with some great deals.

Here are just five pubs in and around Sydney offering some great deals on eating and drinking!

1. The Crows Nest Hotel – 1 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest – or “The Crowie” is an icon of the North Shore and Friday nights are jumping with live bands and dance music. It’s a relaxed, unpretentious pub where you can relax and have a great night. Fridays offer $5 Sol beers from 5pm until 8pm and Wednesday night is student night with $10 beer jugs and monthly themed nights.
   
2. P.J. O’Brien’s – 57 King St, Sydney – in the city is the place to go if you’re missing the Emerald Isle and in need of a Guinness and traditional roast dinner. On Friday nights, beers and spirits are $5 and if you get there early enough you can score some complimentary free nibbles before they run out.
3. The Cheers Bar – 561 George St, Sydney – on George Street is a non-pretentious pub and a great place to catch up on some sport on the TV screens.  RnB and dance music is the go on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with $3.50 drink specials.
4. Jacksons on George – 176 George St, Sydney – on The Rocks end of George Street has several bars so you will be sure to find one to suit your tastes. There is happy hour every day between 5pm and 7pm where you can get a cocktail jug for $10 and beer jugs for $9.50. Sundays offer $4 giant pints and you can play a game of pool for $1.
5. The Kirribilli Hotel - 37 Broughton St, Milsons Point – is a popular after work pub which serves great food to boot. Every Friday “The Billi” offers $5 selected beers and wines and you can enter to win a $50 bar tab which should see you through a couple of rounds!

These are just a few of the deals on offer near Furnished Property’s great locations across Sydney. When you stay at Furnished Property’s furnished apartments, you’ll have plenty of dollars at the end of the week to have a great night out that won’t leave your wallet empty the morning after!

June 8, 2011

June 6, 2011

Make the most of the great weather forecast this week with these great events happening in Sydney.

Monday 6 June

• Archibald Prize – Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain – The Archibald Prize is in its last weeks at the Art Gallery NSW. Don’t miss your chance to see some amazing portraits in Australia’s most prestigious art awards. Gallery open 10am-5pm. Tickets $10.

Tuesday 7 June

• Kylie Minogue – Sydney Entertainment Centre, 35 Harbour St, Darling Harbour – Australia’s pop princess, Kylie Minogue, returns to Sydney with her dazzling new show Aphrodite Les Folies at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. With the synth-pop goodness of Gypsy & The Cat as the support act, you’re guaranteed a night of great music and dancing. Doors open 7pm. Tickets from $99.95 plus booking fee.

Wednesday 8 June

• Sydney Film Festival – The Sydney Film Festival has an amazing line up of Australian and international films showing at various venues around Sydney until Sunday 19 June. There are movies, short films, documentaries and animations that everyone will enjoy, but these tickets always sell out so buy tickets quickly. Tickets from $17.

Thursday 9 June

• Joan As Police Woman – Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville – The critically acclaimed Joan As Police Woman performs live at the Factory Theatre, an event that is sure to leave audiences in awe of Joan Wasser’s musical talents. Doors open 7pm. Tickets $73.10 plus booking fee.

Friday 10 June

• Little Red – Metro Theatre,  624 George St, Sydney – Start the long weekend by dancing to some great pop songs from Australia’s favourite indie pop band Little Red. A delight to see live, you’ll be humming Little Red’s harmonies for days after. Doors open 7.30pm. Tickets $33.70 plus booking fee.

June 3, 2011

Not sure what your weekend plans are yet? Well, we’ve got you sorted!

Here are some cool events happening tonight and all weekend that will no doubt keep you entertained.

Friday 3 June

• Teen Spirit – Q-Bar 34 Oxford St, Darlinghurst – Teen Spirit is a monthly night where all the DJs play nothing but your favourite 90s hits (and guilty pleasures!) Doors open at 9pm. $10 entry at the door.
• Tuned In – Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst – Get down to some great Aussie hip hop at Tuned In and help raise money for Heaps Decent workshop programs at Juvenile Justice Centres. Doors open 8pm. Tickets $10 plus booking fee.

Saturday 4 June

• Bat For Lashes – Sydney Opera House – The first Australian tour for the acclaimed Bat For Lashes, who are only performing two exclusive performances at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Vivid Sydney festival. Doors open 9pm. Tickets $59-$89 plus booking fee.

Sunday 5 June

• No Laughing Matter - Enmore Theatre, 130 Enmore Rd, Enmore – End the weekend with some laughs from Australia’s top comedians at No Laughing Matter, an event to raise awareness for Suicide Prevention Australia. Doors open 7pm. Tickets $49.94 plus booking fee.

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.

January 14, 2011

Is your uni’s campus accommodation full, or just kind of gross?

Why not come stay with us? There are heaps of advantages to staying with Furnished Property as a student:

Clean and Well Maintained:

Cleaning is of course your responsibility once you’ve moved in, but we can guarantee you’ll be moving into an apartment that is clean and in working order. Also, we have a maintenance team available to fix any problems you may encounter during your stay.

Location, Location, Location:

Inner City and Inner West apartments are perfect for USYD and UTS students, and Randwick/Bondi area properties are just a few minutes from UNSW. Plus, being in some of Sydney’s liveliest and most student-friendly areas, our properties are a great home base for your social life, too.

Fully furnished:

You don’t even have to bring your own appliances! All furniture and appliances are fully supplied.

Options:

We know that life on a student budget can be a bit tough – doubly so when you’re living out of home. So we have a range of apartments and rooms at a range of prices. With such a wide range, we’re sure to be able to find you something to suit your tastes and budget.

Sound good? We hope so! If you’d like more information check out the rest of our website at furnishedproperty.com.au , or email sales@furnishedproperty.com.au for any enquiries.

November 26, 2010

Christmas day is, of course, a public holiday, so a lot of places are closed. So, what should you do to celebrate? Here are two really simple but fun and popular options:

- Beach Barbecue

Head to one of Sydney’s beautiful beaches like Bondi or Coogee for a nice beach barbecue. Most Sydney beaches have public barbecues that you can use, but get there early! On Christmas day they’re likely to go fast!

- Christmas lunch at an Irish pub

Take a few friends and go enjoy a traditional three-course meal at P.J. O’Brien’s in the city. You’ll have to book in advance, and it’s a little pricey, but you deserve a Christmas treat!

http://my247.com.au/sydney/PJOBriens-Irish-Pub/whats-on/Christmas-Day-Lunch.194095

In Australia, Christmas is kind of a family thing, but New Year’s Eve is when it really goes off! Here are just some of the things happening around the city.

- The Fireworks

It goes without saying that these are the centerpiece of Sydney’s NYE celebrations. To get a good vantage point on the harbour, you’ll want to go really early and take a few friends to spend the day with, as spots fill up fast! Remember to take plenty of food, sunscreen and water – it’s usually very hot! For a list of the best vantage points, go here:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2010/VantagePoints/default.aspx

- Darling Harbour

There’s always great entertainment in Darling Harbour prior to the fireworks, mainly in the form of live music, and this year is no exception. Check the website as the date approaches for more details and, again, get there early!

http://www.darlingharbour.com/index.cfm?menu_id=1908&content_id=1183

- I’M ON A BOAT!

One of the other popular options for New Year’s Eve in Sydney is to get on a boat to see the fireworks. There are a range of popular cruise boats you can get on, but they fill up fast, so book soon! No link provided for this one – there are heaps of companies out there that provide the service, so google it and do some detective work. They’re all fairly pricey, but compare prices carefully – some are better value than others!

November 26, 2010

Summer is a great time to get together with friends and share some good grub. Want to do it cheap and healthy? The guys at SORTED have got that… well, sorted!

Sorted is a youtube and online collaboration between British chefs Barry Taylor, Ben Ebbrell and a bunch of their mates. The team are dedicated to providing delicious but cheap cooking options to students and anyone else working on a budget. Here’s their cracking Lamb and Greek salad recipe, a perfect summer meal. And you can watch them make it here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sortedfood#p/search/6/CQMLVQyFUpw

rump of lamb
tin of butter beans (400g)
shot of olive oil
clove of garlic
handful of black olives, pitted
2 fresh tomatoes
piece of feta cheese (100g)
1 lemon
1 red onion
few sprigs of fresh mint

preheat oven to 180°C.
season the lamb rump with salt and pepper, before flash frying it in a really hot pan to seal.
transfer the pan to the oven to cook through for 8-9 minutes. We like it cooked to medium.
drain the beans from the tin and gently warm up in a frying with the shot of oil, squeeze of lemon juice and the crushed clove of garlic.
peel and finely slice the red onion, halve the black olives and crumble the feta into a mixing bowl.
quarter the tomatoes, discard the pulp and hack up the flesh that’s left.
rip up the mint leaves, adding to the mixing bowl with the tomato.
remove the cooked lamb from the oven and leave to rest for 2 minutes.
stir the warm beans into the mixing bowl and dump a hefty portion onto a plate.
slice the lamb and drape it over the warm leafless Greek salad and enjoy.

Serves 2