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 25, 2012

The Newtown district of Sydney is one of the city’s oldest suburbs. It’s also one of the most popular for students, artists and younger tourists, especially those with a more alternative bent. With King Street – also known as ”Eat Street” - running down the centre of the area, there are no shortages of food, shopping and entertainment.

photo credit: Rob_Wood

Newtown Eat Street

King Street picked up its nickname because of the many bars, cafés, restaurants and venues that line the strip. Cultural fare including Turkish, Pakistani, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese selections are nestled among the many, much loved traditional coffee houses, pizza parlours, burger joints and diners, creating a selection that truly caters for all tastes.

The pubs in this area include historical establishments and themed sports bars, again providing enough choices to suit everyone traveling in your group. Drop by Kelly’s On King, the Marlborough Hotel and the Union Hotel, all of which are on the strip, for great pub grub, like parmas, steak or fish and chips.

Must-See Sightseeing at Newtown

You can’t make the journey to Newtown in Sydney without checking out the local landmarks. The Trocadero Dance Hall is one of the biggest architectural renovations in the area. Throughout its life it has functioned as a cinema, theatre, restaurant and used furniture store. You’ll also want to visit Burland Hall and the Hub Theatre, both of which have a fascinating history.

The Newtown area is best known to the locals for its live music venues and indie artists. Plan to spend at least one evening partying at the Sandringham; be sure to ask for a schedule of upcoming events because there’s always a stream of fantastic bands coming through. It’s hard to go wrong at the much-loved Sando, so there’s little reason to skip an unknown name on the billboard, they may well be the next big thing!

If you’re into more theatrical live performances, you’re in luck; Newtown is home to a number of independent theatres where you can catch local performance artists. The New Theatre has the longest history, but the Newtown and Enmore Theatres also host their share of greatly praised performances.

Festivals and Sporting Events at Newtown

The Newtown Festival is an annual community event with lots of live music, workshops and vendors on the independent music scene. You’ll find it in the Camperdown Memorial Park each November. If you’re visiting in September, you just might stumble upon the Under the Blue Moon Festival. With music, street performers, and other entertainment options, this is the heart of the alterative culture in Sydney.

For a more sophisticated option, try Feastability, the food and wine festival organized by the Marrickville Council. Typically held on the last Sunday in September, Feastibility offers vendor stalls and live entertainment suitable for kids and adults alike.

Sports fans may want to get familiar with the local rugby team, the Newtown Jets. The team plays in nearby Marrickville but matches are often televised and shown to keen, loud crowds at bars and pubs.

Newtown is definitely one of the more alternative, trendy, and always friendly suburbs of Sydney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience it on a budget. Look for student housing or share a flat for great bargain lodging. By shopping Furnished Property, you can save a ton without sacrificing on entertainment value.

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.

January 18, 2010

Students searching for Sydney flats or student style accommodation can find numerous options with Furnished Property. We know how bloody difficult it is to search for a decent place to stay in the city, especially for international students, so our services have been tailored in order to make this process as simple as possible!

Our Sydney student accommodation is available in all the major student suburbs, such as Annandale, Bondi Beach, Coogee, Darlinghurst, Edgecliff, Glebe, Potts Point, Pyrmont, Surry Hills, Newtown, and of course – Sydney City. Live right in the heart of Sydney’s hottest locations – in an environment of other likeminded individuals – while you further your education.

Furnished Property offers various types of short-term apartments that work as student accommodation options in Sydney, but for the total experience, our Sydney guest houses are the best value. Our guest houses provide private living spaces (singles, doubles or triples) with common living areas that are perfect for socialising and making new friends from all over the world.

With Furnished Property, you can view and book a property online, on our website, and you’re good as gold when you arrive.

Or, you can come into the office and request a tour of our currently available properties! If you like it, you can sign and move in literally the next day! How easy is that?!

But – It gets EASIER! As our name suggests, our properties are fully furnished! That means you get the beds, the tv’s, the tables, the chairs, the dishes and the cups all included! Now that definitely makes getting a student apartment or room in Sydney truly simple.