February 3, 2012

As one of the best, and most noted beach areas in Sydney, Coogee has a lot going for it. Although it’s only half an hour by bus to Sydney’s central business district and the airport, Coogee feels like a world away. A gorgeous expanse of shoreline awaits where you can soak up some sun, go surfing or give snorkeling and scuba diving a go. As the sun’s setting you can enjoy an idyllic long walk on the beach.

photo credit: Fiona Bradley

Diving, Swimming and Sunning at Coogee

Whether you’re just learning or an experienced diver, Pro Dive is Coogee’s hotspot for underwater fun. Snorkeling tours, diving classes and every other water sport you can think of are all in Coogee and this company is a great way to get you exploring the waters at any budget.

If you prefer to keep your head above water, try Wylie’s Baths. Their sea bathes are cordoned off sections of the ocean that have been made into a pool. It’s a great natural alternative to chlorinated pools where you can take time out to swim or sunbathe and enjoy the best view in town.

The Coogee to Lurline Bay Walk nearby is great for a lazy wander down the 3.5 kilometer pathway. To speed up the trek and burn some energy, hire a pair of rollerblades to glide along in. When the weather permits the scenic Wedding Cake Island can be viewed just off the coast.

Shopping and Dining at Coogee

Coogee is a great spot for picking up souvenirs and locally crafted jewelry and trinkets. Restaurants and cafés are everywhere, so you should have no problems finding exactly what you’re looking for, from traditional fish and chips to the Churrasco Brazilian Style BBQ restaurant.

Out of the Blue on Clovelly Road and Moo Gourmet on Coogee Bay Road both have great burgers, and you can find Eastern choices at Taste of Thai, Aseana Food Village and May Kwai Chinese. Make sure to visit the French bakery Sweet Spot Patisserie for some of the best ice cream Sydney has to offer, perfect after a day in the sun.

Along the beach, several grassy areas have public access BBQs and tables, perfect for a picnic dinner that caters to all budgets! Spread a blanket out under a tree and watch the clouds go by as you enjoy your own culinary creations.

Apartments and Beach Houses at Coogee

Students and vacationers will love their stay at Coogee Beach in Sydney, especially with a fully furnished apartment or beach house. Whether you’re traveling with one friend or with several, Furnished Property has the rentals you’re looking for. Modern facilities with appliances make your kitchen and lounge just like home, and you will have plenty of privacy for yourself in a spacious bedroom, as well.

If you’d prefer to meet new people or are traveling alone, you may want to check into shared housing options. Your private twin room will have its own flat screen television with DVD player, and shared laundry and kitchen facilities are on site.

January 22, 2010

January 22, 2010

Most everyone knows that Australia is a place where the sun just isn’t too friendly, but it almost seems that not enough people take all the talk about sun safety so seriously. If you watch TV, you will have probably seen some pretty graphic and eye-opening commercials about skin cancer in this country, but… did it change anything? Did you choose to put on sunscreen that day or wear a long sleeve shirt and hat to the beach? Are we doing enough?

We care about the health and well-being of our tenants, so we want them to be well-informed of the dangers of the Australian sun. The facts sheet available on the The Department of Health and Ageing’s website is quite the shock, but these facts should be known.

Did you know:

• Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence rate in the world.
• Australians are four times more likely to develop a skin cancer than any other form of cancer.
• Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.

Now, we don’t want to scare anybody from totally avoiding the beach. The sun can still be enjoyed; there just needs to be more precautions in line.

photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

Tips for proper sun protection: Wear a hat! Long sleeves! Find shade! Good sunglasses! Apply SPF30+ sunscreen! When not in the water at the beach, cover with light clothing. Apply sunscreen regularly, especially if you have been swimming. Avoid the prime sun hours of the day when the sun is the strongest.

January 11, 2010

Like most international students and travellers, it is hard to imagine Sydney without picturing its amazing coastline with gorgeous beaches. And just like that, it is no surprise that our Bondi Beach and Coogee properties are hot items during the Australian summer!

Imagine yourself coming back from work, grabbing your sunscreen and beach towel and running off to the beach for a relaxing evening. This could be every night (weather permitting of course) if you should choose a beach apartment location for a Sydney summer stay.

Right now, Furnished Property has numerous Coogee Beach apartments ready for renting.

Our cosy two-bedroom units are large enough to room up to 4 friends or two couples quite comfortably.

If interested in learning more about this Coogee Beach apartment, or one similar, be sure to give our office a call to book a tour. With a fully furnished beach flat, life in Sydney just doesn’t get much better.

December 21, 2009

One of the first things people new to living in Sydney realise is that you could split Sydney easily into 4 quadrants. The eastern (think Bondi & travellers), northern (think over the Harbour Bridge), the south (think Cronulla and below) and the west (from the inner west of Balmain to the very far beyond). The diversity and uniqueness of each of the quadrants makes it worth travellers’ time to get out and explore each in order to experience all that Sydney has to offer.

A trip to the northern beaches is a tour of the long stretching golden coastlines that span along northern Sydney from Manly right up to the north point of Palm Beach. Below is a highlight of some of the different spots that should be visited along the way.

MANLY

The best place to start is at Sydney’s 2nd best known beach – Manly. Manly is fondly referred to by locals as Man-Town. This thrilling cosmopolitan seaside city cranks with funky bars, bucket loads of modern cafes & restaurants, stacks of shopping choices (surf brands, Sportsgirl, tourist trinket shops), an amazing harbour linked wharf with ferries to the city & back, and of course, the beautiful, much loved and visited Manly Beach.

photo credit: Sir Mervs [alert level 3]

The perfect way to visit Manly is by ferry, with services regularly leaving Circular Quay during weekdays and weekends. Ensure you bring your swimmers, sunscreen, towel and something to change into when the sun sets to enjoy a bite to eat at the many tasty eateries on offer (Mortar & Pestle is recommended). Or, you can slip into a drinking hole to enjoy a nice cold beverage (Manly Wharf Bar has amazing views back over the city as the sun sets in the West and the Manly Steyne Hotel is an institution in the area for its many bars and great variety of live music).

A must-do whilst in Manly is the Manly Beach to Shelly Beach walk, which allows you to take in the spectacular views of the coastline. The walk begins at Manly Surf Club at the south of the beach and continues for about 10 minutes along a paved walkway to the pristine water inlet of Shelly Beach – a popular place for swimming and snorkeling.

• Circular Quay to Manly Timetable
• Manly Wharf Bar Hotel
• The Steyne Hotel
• Info on Shelly Beach

DEE WHY

The next stop on any journey along the northern beaches will require a new mode of transport. Perhaps a car hire (Discount Car Rental does them cheap) or the ever trusty Sydney Buses could assist you here. Let us next visit the much loved local town of Dee Why. Dee Why thrives on its ultra convenient beachside strand which is packed to the brink with tasty, buzzing eating venues. The eatery choices cater to all tastes – modern Australian, Thai, Japanese (the food at Ocean Sushi on Oaks Ave is amazing), Italian, seafood and more. Possibly the oldest restaurant along the Dee Why strip is Stella Blu, which has great food plus a cocktail bar with live music on the weekends, and is a place not only famous in the local area, but well beyond.

And besides the amazing food available, one could not forget the beach. With its wonderfully formed beachside park, Dee Why Beach makes for the best picnic venue in the area.

Bring a rug, a cooler bag of wine and cheese, and spend a few hours sipping some Australian vino while watching the world go by.

Also make sure you pack your togs because Dee Why not only offers a beautiful swimming beach, but there is a great ocean pool as well for those who prefer a dip without the waves.

• Sydney Transport Info (‘The Strand, Dee Why’ by public transport)
• Stella Blu

NARRABEEN

photo credit: 1Happysnapper(is trying to catch up )

As you continue your journey up the coast, you’ll start to notice that the further north you travel, the slower the world seems to operate. Crank the volume up on your iPod or car stereo, wind the windows down and let the freshness of the salty sea air wash over you. A must stop on your journey is the idealic town of Narrrabeen, nestled in between the beach and the lake. Those that feel like getting active should check out Prokayak on Narrabeen Lake where you can cruise the peaceful waterway in a canoe, kayak or pedal boat.

If you feel like cooling down with a swim, or lying down to soak up some rays, Narrabeen Beach is sure to allow maximum personal beach space as it stretches so long that it has 4 separate surf clubs and patrolled areas. If you start to get thirsty or hungry and need some hydration or sustenance, there are two great pubs in the area that are sure to satisfy your needs – the Narrabeen Sands Hotel (modern and relaxing) or the Surf Rock hotel (with a fabulous varandah that offers stunning ocean views). These two pubs are popular places for regulars and visitors alike. If you feel like spending the night, or two, the Collaroy YHA offers great, clean facilities close to the beach and pub at really great prices!

• Narrabeen Lake Kayak, Canoe and Pedal Boat Hire
• The Sands Hotel
• The Surf Rock Hotel
• Collaroy YHA

PALM BEACH

At the end of the line waiting for you is the ultra suave and very fabulous Palm Beach, or Palmie to the locals. Keep your eyes peeled when you roll into town as you may just find yourself looking at an Australian celeb with the likes of Nicole Kidman and Elle McPherson often frequenting this dazzling beachside retreat.

To take public transport, the only bus that will take you all the way is the L90 which leaves from Central Station regularly weekdays and weekends. To enjoy the best views of Palm Beach and its stunning surrounds, take a short hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse where you are sure to find the 400m beach walk worth the effort at the top. For those light house buffs, you can even take a tour for a few dollars as well. For those with a bit of time up their sleeve, the Palm Beach Ferry operates to Ettalong Beach (Central Coast) on weekdays and weekends from the Palm Beach Wharf. Hop off at Ettalong and enjoy a relaxing meal before catching the ferry back to Palm Beach later in the day.

If real estate is your thing, spend some time taking in the many amazing properties lining the streets, some of the most expensive real estate in Australia. For the Home and Away groupies – don’t miss the beach where the show is filmed!

• Barrenjoey Lighthouse
• Palm Beach Ferry
• Home and Away Walking Tours

This post was brought to you by one of our wonderful staff accountants, Elysha! Elysha is a little bit camera shy, but the lucky few Furnished Property patrons will get to make her acquaintance.

December 4, 2009

photo credit: markg6