Guide to the City of Sydney

If you've just arrived in Sydney, chances are you'll want to know how to find your way around and where certain places are located that you'll need. If you're struggling with anything ask our staff at reception and they'll try and help you out.

Accommodation

Rental

There is plenty of rental accommodation available in Sydney from short to long term rental options. It is normal to put a bond down when you rent which is usually equivalent to one month's rental. Sharing apartments are also popular with students. Things to consider are where you want to live, do you want to be in the heart of the city or out at one of the Sydney beaches?

If you go through an estate agent it is usual for the minimum rental period to be six months. Units are normally unfurnished, so take that into consideration when costing. The Sydney Morning Herald on a Saturday lists accommodation for sale and rent and also has a section for shared accommodation. They also have listings of garage sales which is a good way of picking up cheap second hand furniture. Estate agents usually do their viewings that day so get the paper early and select which properties you wish to view.

Another way to find accommodation is on the internet visit http://www.realestate.com.au and http://www.domain.com.au. These websites are the best sites and they regularly update what's available. They list rental as well as shared accommodation.

Around the city people often put notices up if they have a room for rent. Just make sure you meet the other people that live there and get an agreement in writing.

Unilodge

Unilodge is centrally located and offers accommodation which is furnished and also has additional facilities such as a pool, gym, common rooms and events. For information on Unilodge visit http://www.unilodge.com.au or ask at reception for more details. They also offer Unihotel for short-term accommodation.

Homestay

Many International students choose to stay in homestay accommodation while in Australia. Homestay accommodation involves living with an Australian family in their own home. Homestay is a good way to practise English and learn about the Australian way of life living with a caring Australian family.

Host families have been carefully chosen by Australian Family Homestays, and will offer you friendship as well as comfortable accommodation, good food, and a caring environment, all at a very reasonable rate. Many students develop lifelong friendships with their Homestay families. For information and fees on homestay accommodation please visit their website at www.australianfamilyhomestays.com

Airport transfers

Australian Family Homestays can arrange for you to be met at Sydney airport by an Airport Shuttle bus company who will transfer you to your homestay accommodation. This service must be booked before you leave home. For further information on our airport transfer service please visit their website www.australianfamilyhomestays.com

Click here for Sydney accommodation websites (pdf 25kb)

Sporting facilities

Australia has many different sports on offer whether as a participant or viewer! Sydney was host to the Olympic Games in 2000 and that served to further boost the facilities on offer - surfing, beach volleyball, soccer, cricket, tennis and Aussie rules football to name but a few. Check out your local area for classes such as yoga, aerobics and local fitness centres. Community newspapers will have regular listings. If it's surfing you're after, the main beaches all hold learn to surf classes.

Bondi- http://www.letsgosurfing.com.au
Manly- http://www.manlysurfschool.com

Shopping

Westfield Shopping Centres generally hold all of the bigger department/designer stores and are located at various suburbs throughout Sydney. In the CBD Pitt Street Mall serves as the main shopping hub but also worth a look is the QVB (Queen Victoria Building), for the beautiful architecture at least.

Market City/Paddy's Market in the Chinatown area hold the discount goods and definitely worth heading to if you're looking to pick up a bargain.

Nightlife/Entertainment

Sydney's nightlife covers a plethora or different tastes so chances are if it's out there, Sydney will have it.

For Nightclubs/ bars/ clubs/ late night cafes see: http://www.sydney247.com.au For current listings of cinemas, theatre, and other "what's on" information see The Sydney Morning Herald on a Saturday.

Eating Out

There are eateries to cover all tastes and budgets, from fine dining to takeaway and covering cuisine from pretty much all over the globe. Visit http://www.sydneyeats.com.au

Transportation

Trains, buses and ferries link up the Sydney public transport network. There is too much to cover here but to put it simply, to find the easiest route from A to B call the Transport Infoline on 131500 Or log on to http://www.131500.info/realtime/default.asp They can provide destination planners, bus, train and ferry timetables and latest service news.

If you are travelling frequently you can buy weekly tickets which are discounted from individual fares, either for the train or combined tickets that allow unlimited weekly travel in the city for buses/trains and ferries in the zone that your ticket covers.

If you're living in the CBD you will be able to get to most places on foot. Regular bus services operate as does the rail networks inner city line which stops at Museum station (right next to SBS!) Separate web links for the services for ticketing and timetabling are at:

Trains
http://www.cityrail.info/
Buses
http://www.sydneybuses.info
Ferries
http://www.sydneyferries.info

Map to the Sydney Campus

Last reviewed: 12 April, 2007