Tag: accommodation

Meet Linda: Noosa Avalon Farm Cottages

Meet Linda, owner of the beautiful 30-acre property, ‘Noosa Avalon Farm Cottages’ in Pinbarren on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. The property consists of three cottages, Avalon Homestead, Kangaroo Lodge and an Amphitheatre to enjoy and relax with a step back in time to a simpler lifestyle. 

‘Noosa Avalon Farm Cottages’ started as a 30-acre bare paddock 30 years ago, without power, water or even a phone, Linda started it all while living in a caravan with her two children as a single mother without trees or wildlife. The property has now been reforested by Linda herself and enjoys many species of birds, butterflies, native animals including feather tailed and sugar glider possums, lizards, frogs and micro-bats that eat 300 insects every night. 

Linda prides herself in the cottages being poison free since 1986 and has been a leader of environmental tourism and education since 2002. The cottages boast 5 kW solar panels and 80% of all buildings and our cottages are recycled and built with pre-loved materials. Each cottage has 5000-gallon rainwater tanks and the property itself has a 60×70 meter lake, 8 metres deep which is home to rare Mary river turtles. 

The property is home to friendly cows; Woody, Creamy, Bubbles, Red girl and Bambino, who assist guests in composting their scraps, with extra straps going to the trees for local wildlife to feed on – nothing gets wasted. At the farm, recycling is done wherever they can, with septic systems allowing everything to stay on the property. 

“It is expensive to be green, to lock up your land for your dreams of a better world, this is a drop in the ocean, but many drops make the worlds oceans, lakes and rivers.”

“How can you love and protect something, if all you see is cement and bitumen? We have an amazing world let’s look after this beautiful planet as we need the earth but the earth does not need us. I love to share my passion with families, friends and stressed out people to bring them back down to earth. I could not have achieved what I have done without the amazing people that have walked my road with me with there love and support, I thank you all.”

Interested in experiencing the wonders of Linda’s cottages? Click here to book now!

What’s on in Sydney | July

It might be frosty outside but it doesn’t mean you should be cooped up inside! There’s plenty to do in Sydney this July so grab your coats and head out the door. From music festivals to outdoor ice skating, there’s plenty to do this winter!

Australian International Music Festival – Sydney Opera House

The Australian International Music Festival is one the most popular events in Sydney and brings in a crowd from all over the world. The event provides a fantastic musical and cultural experience to Sydney and aims to expand your mind! Talented musicians will be performing at the Sydney Opera House, the City Recital Hall and Darling Harbour!

Winterlight – Parramatta

Winterlight is returning just in time for the school holidays and it’s a magical hub where you can skate, eat and play. Situated in Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta, this winter wonderland is not to be missed. The event will include the largest open-air rink in Sydney for you to skate on and a giant thirty-metre ice slide! After all of the skating, they also have warm winter snacks for you to munch on!

Carraigeworks Winter Night Market

The Carriageworks Winter Night Markets are back and it’s going to be better than ever! At the markets, there’ll be more than 50 stalls from leading Sydney restaurants and bars. This year, the stallholders will be inspired by the theme WILD, which highlights using native and locally sourced produce. As well as all of the delectable delights, there will also be live music and cooking demonstrations!

Ice skating at St Mary’s Cathedral

Throughout June and July, you’ll be able to skate in front of the breathtaking St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney CBD! In the evenings, the park will be illuminated with a glowing hue and you’ll be able to soak in the atmosphere while you skate in an open-air ice rink! Once you’ve tired yourself out, you’ll also be able to warm up with some snacks and hot choccy from the food vendors! If you bring the whole family along, there’ll also be jumping castle, music and much more!

Apollo 11 Exhibition – Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

The Apollo Exhibition commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing! It’s hosted at the Museum of Applied Arts & Science and is displaying over 200 objects. Key objects that will be displayed in the exhibition include items from all around the world! The exhibition will also have a new virtual reality experience where visitors will be able to watch the moon landing from a new perspective!

Bastille Festival 

French food and culture are returning to Circular Quay and The Rocks to celebrate the 7th annual Bastille Festival! The four-day event will be home to 100 food stalls that showcase the best of French cuisine! Whether you’re craving raclette, crepes or a glass of champagne, it’s all here! The festival will include a Parisian Foodie Village, a Gourmet Produce Alley and a Mulled Wine Cinema!

Bondi Winter Magic

It might be too cold for an ocean dip but it’s the perfect temperature to go ice skating! Bondi has transformed once again into a winter playground by the sea at Bondi Winter Magic. Whilst you skate around, you’ll have a spectacular view of the ocean and a 22-metre Ferris wheel! Along with this, Bondi Pavilion will also be home to Bondi Feast, a fringe style winter festival!

Need a place to stay in Sydney? We’ve got some stunner apartments in Sydney that you can stay in at Aabode.com

5 spots in Adelaide you can’t miss

Adelaide, the symbol of South Australia, is where you can find a mixture of cultural heritage, natural scenery, delectable food, as well as recreation venues. With plentiful places to wander around, here is a snapshot of a few key tourist attractions in Adelaide.

Glenelg Beach

Glenelg is not only famous for its beautiful beaches but also for its impressive history behind the heritage buildings. Located in a suburban area of Adelaide, Glenelg is a perfect place to seek your own peace of mind and to escape from city life. Family and friends are bound to have the best time in Glenelg with various entertainment choices including catching thrills at an amusement park, or even sailing and swimming with dolphins.

Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is Australia’s second oldest zoo, with it’s sole purpose connecting humans with nature and saving endangered species. There are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained, from interactions with animals, the educational visitor center, and so much more. Spare some time and visit the pandas as they’re the only breeding pair of giant pandas in Australia, and not to mention, they’re super adorable.

Adelaide Central Market

If you are a foodie seeking multicultural cuisine and fresh food, Adelaide Central Market is the place to be. This is one of the largest fresh produce markets in Australia and one of the oldest indoor markets in the world. After browsing the wholesome stalls, there are an array of cafes and eateries for you to enjoy. What else could get better?

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Take a pause during your trip and drop a visit to a wonderland in the heart of the city, where stunning landscaped gardens, grand avenues, stunning architecture and the appeal of history awaits. This 50-hectare garden is home to the most magnificent plant collections in Australia. Relax your mind in the Botanic Garden atmosphere and scenery for an hour or few, you’ll feel like yourself in another world away.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Adelaide possesses not only one of the finest plants in Australia but also one of the finest art collections at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The selection varies from the colonial days to the present; crosses all mediums from sculpture, paintings, textiles, photographs to ceramics, furniture and jewellery. You can choose to wander around at your own pace or to take a tour or even attend an artist talk.

Visit Aabode.com now to find a comfortable accommodation and make the most out of your trip!

8 essentials for your winter snow trip

Winter is coming! Instead of hovering over the heater all night, pack your bags and head out on a frosty adventure! Going on a snow trip is definitely different than going on your average vacation, so we’ve complied the top 10 things you must pack when you head on a snow trip!

Inner thermal clothes

You don’t need to spend a fortune when preparing for a snow vacation, but good quality inner thermal layers will make an extreme difference. Often inner thermal layers are extremely thin and go under all other layers of clothing. Look for clothing with heat tech technology as they’ll keep you warm but you won’t feel like you’re suffocating under layers and layers of clothing

Waterproof ski clothes

Make sure you’re bringing along thick outer layers to protect you from the cold and snow! Although most people remember to bring thick outer layers of clothing, not all of them are waterproof! This could be a big issue because you’ll be surrounded by snow the whole time. If you’re not careful, any dampness in your clothing in extremely cold weather can lead to some major sicknesses. Be sure to double check your outer layers are waterproof!

Headwear

You got to make sure you’re covered from head to toe in order to stay warm. Keep your noggin toasty by bringing along headwear on your snow trip. If you’re just playing around in the snow, a thick beanie should be sufficient. However, if you’re planning on doing any fast paced activity, be sure to bring along a helmet or rent one.

Sunglasses/goggles

Just because its super cold, doesn’t mean it won’t be super bright! The snow is beautiful but sometimes it can be blinding! If you’re driving there or just hanging around, be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses to help protect your eyes. If you’re speeding down and doing activities with lots of movement, be sure to grab some goggles with sun protection.

Warming accessories

Once you’ve packed your basics, you can pack some other accessories to make sure you stay extra warm on your trip. We recommend bringing an extra thick pair of socks, a scarf and gloves for keeping your body extra toasty. If you’re extra sensitive to the cold, consider getting some heat packs to place in your pockets or on your body!

Small toiletries including sun protection

Along with your normal toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, you should bring some little extras to ensure your skin doesn’t get extremely dry. Be sure your skin is SPF ready with lip balm, sunscreen and moisturizer.

Snacks and non perishable foods

When you’re embarking on your snow trip, you’ll likely be in an area where there are not many places to purchase food or snacks. With food establishments and supermarket selections being quite limited, it’d be a wise idea to bring some snacks along. Whether it’s some small granola bars for the ride or some instant noodle packets for your midnight snack, you won’t regret it.

Extra chargers

The only place you’ll be likely to charge your devices is back at your accommodation. Ski resorts or other ski parks will rarely have outlets so it’s a good idea to bring a battery pack that will last for the day! Although reception is sparse in the area, batteries are much needed for listening to music or keeping kids entertained!

Haven’t booked your accommodation yet? Head to Aabode.com now to check out our properties!

8 basic styling tips for your property

Keep things tidy and create a blank canvas

Whilst you might have lots of small trinkets and little bits and pieces, when you’re renting out your property, your space should be tidy. Selectively choose the pieces that enhance your space and let the rest do the talking. Removing clutter means that you avoid having the room feel too busy or crowded. Having a clean, tidy and well organised space is much more beneficial than over decorating your home.

Place bed in the middle of the room and throw on some extra cushions

Placing your bed in the middle of the room gives a luxurious and spacious feeling. As there will be no shadows bouncing off of the walls, a bed placed away from the walls will give the illusion of a larger bed. Throwing some extra sleeping cushions and some decorative pillows is also a simple way to make your bed look inviting and luxurious.

Provide sleek storage solutions

Providing sleek or hidden storage solutions means that all of your guests’ belongings and luggage will be hidden away. By doing this, the space in the room won’t be cluttered or busy. Whether you tuck them away in a built in wardrobe or have a small trunk at the end of the bed to keep belongings in, having a place to put belongings in will clear the floor space of the room

Choose a well thought out colour palette

It’s best to stick with a neutral colour palette or colours in the same family. Tones such as grays, whites and blues will create a clam effect. Having soft colours will also make the rooms feel larger than they actually are! Choosing a colour palette at the beginning of the design process will set the mood of how you want your whole property to look. Having a colour theme will help the different rooms of the property become cohesive!

Choose appropriately sized furniture and place them strategically

Furniture that is too small or too big can alter how guests feel when they walk into the room. Ensure that there’s adequate space for your guests to move around without bumping into things. Property owners also often push furniture against the walls in attempt to make a more spacious environment but this makes the home feel like uninviting. Have your pieces of furniture floating in the room as it will be a great way to engage conversation and activity.

Don’t block the light

This tip doesn’t require you to purchase anything! Make sure your furniture doesn’t cover any of the natural light sources. Natural light is a great way to make the area feel more open and make your space seem more appealing!

Have some greenery

Having some indoor plants gives the room some life and has the ability to bring drama into a setting. Choose plants that will thrive in the environment of your property! Try to research of particular plants that you can manage. If you have minimal natural light, choose plants or succulents that don’t need a lot of sunlight to thrive. If you’re not very good at looking after plants, choose one that doesn’t need to be watered as often!

Choosing minimal accessories

Every accessory or piece of decor should be a meaningful choice in your space. Placing decorative pieces around adds a focal point in the room, however, if you have too many, this can make the room seem busy and confusing.

After you style your property, you need somewhere to host it. There’s no better place than Aabode.com! We host more than 4000 spectacular properties and yours could be one of them!