Tag: australia tourism

Your Sydney Winter Wonderland

Winter in Australia has started showing its magic and although it might be too cold to go for a swim in Bondi, there are still a plenty of fun things to do in Sydney at this time of the year. From pop-up ice rinks to high tea on Ferris wheels, the city is as bustling and busy in winter as it is in summer and here is a list of things that you can venture into to make the most out of your Australian winter season in Sydney.

Good Food and Wine Show

 When: June 22nd – June 24th

The Good Food and Wine show are back again, and you can spend a weekend immersed in all of the booze and yummy goodness the city has to offer. This year’s event will bring back some old favorites’ and provide an exciting line-up of features to discover, taste, share and enjoy. There will be lunches with notable chefs such as Maggie Beer, Manu and Clarissa Feidel, Miguel Maestre, Matt Morgan as well as other fun and educational events. From vegan pizza master classes to boozy brunches and more, you will want to add this event to your calendar.

Vivid Sydney

When: May 25th – June 16th

The world’s largest festival of lights, music and ideas is returning to Sydney for its 10th year in a row. Last year Vivid Sydney drew over 2.33 million visitors to the city for its massive list of events including educational talks and seminars, live music and light shows, and its 10th anniversary is shaping up to be as spectacular as ever. From the Heaps Gay Queens Ball to Vivid After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie light display and so many more, you’ll definitely be wanting to get involved in Vivid Sydney this year.

Bondi Winter Magic Festival

When: June 28th – July 29th

I know what you’re thinking, going to the beach in winter? Well, why not especially when Bondi is bringing back its winter magic! You can ski along the shores as the festival brings snow to sand in the form of an ice-skating rink. There will be an educational history series, as well as daily ice skating and hockey demos and lessons.

Road and Snore at Taronga Zoo

When: April 30th – July 5th

Roar and snore is a long-running overnight experience offer by Taronga Zoo. It lets you bunker down after the zoo shuts its gates and stay in luxurious tents until morning. You’ll get to meet all the critters such as lions, tigers, snow leopards and a sun bear as well as dine at the zoo’s restaurant. The next morning you will be served a delicious brekkie before being able to feed a giraffe, pat a seal and sun bake with an echidna. From the 25th of May to the 16th of June, you can also catch Roar and Snore VIVID which will see amazing light installations on top of your furry filled experience.

Ferris Wheel High Tea

When: May 5th – 22nd September

The Deck in Sydney has brought back its quirky Ferris wheel high tea, so you can snack on scones and sip prosecco while taking in the best view in town. Served on board the iconic Luna Park Ferris Wheel, this next level experience is unlike any other tea party the city has to offer. After your one hour ride, you’re invited to sit back and warm up with a cuppa in the deck lounge.

Sydney Film Festival

When: June 6th – June 17th

Are you ready for 12 massive days of film, fun, talks, parties and of course all the movie snacks? Sydney film Festival kicks off in June and is bringing Sydneysiders over 120 flicks. With several of last year’s titles such as Call Me by Your Name, On Body and Soul and A Fantastic Woman scoring Oscar nominations or wins, you’ll certainly be wanting to take a sneak peak at this year’s lineup. From You Were Never Really Here starring Joaquin Phoenix, Kiwi flick, The Breaker Upperers and a hoard of other indie titles and docos, the program is packed to the brim. The State Theatre will be hosting most of the screenings, but there will also be films showing around the city in Newtown, Cremorne, Randwick and Western Sydney.

Whether you are planning your winter in Sydney or in another city, go to Aabode.com now to check out some cozy properties!

Slow travel: Explore Australia’s east coast by train

You might have heard of Eurail but have you heard of the Discovery Pass? The discovery pass allows you UNLIMITED travel between 365 destinations across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Canberra by train and coach! Starting from $232, you could get unlimited travel for fourteen days, a month, three months or six months.

All you have to do is simply buy your discovery pass and book all of your trips! If you’re not already sold, here are 5 reasons why you should travel the Australian east coast by train:

1.The scenery is amazing
Whether you’re zooming past the red land of the outback or cruising along the white coastlines, you’re bound to encounter some beautiful sights! Instead of experiencing turbulence and cloudy skies, why not experience a feast for your eyes?

2. It saves you money because the fares are fixed.
When you purchase the discovery pass, you don’t have to purchase anything else! Just grab your bags and go. There’s no need to worry about fluctuating flight prices or extremely expensive petrol prices because you’ve already paid for it! If you even want to save some more dollars, you can catch an overnight train as well!

3.It’s extremely flexible
The discovery pass is valid for unlimited travel, so you don’t have to plan everything in advance! If there’s a time and a place to be spontaneous, its now! Whether you want to book a train one week or one hour in advance, its possible with the discovery pass.

4. It’s convenient
The last thing you want to be doing when you arrive at a beautiful destination is to worry about how to get to the city center. But not to worry, most train stations and coach stops are already in the middle of the city center! With drop off stations being so close, your accommodation should only be a step away.

5. It’s helping the environment!
Trains are more energy efficient per passenger than planes or cars, which means its one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport! Did you know train emissions are not directly released into the upper atmosphere? Who knew you could travel and save the planet at the same time!?

What are you waiting for? Get your discovery pass now! Whether you’re travelling to Byron Bay or Melbourne by train, we’ve got properties for you at Aabode.com!

The best markets around Australia

Whether you’re after the freshest produce possible or the tastiest food truck grubs, these markets have got it all! Come along with us as we show you some of the best markets across Australia!

NSW – Carriageworks Farmers Market

Although there’s a mecca of markets for you to visit in Sydney (lucky you), if you could only visit one, you must visit Carraigeworks Farmer’s market! Whether you’re after the best seasonal produce or freshly baked artisanal bread, you’ll find it here. Open from 8am on Saturdays, they’ve got a range of gourmet products for you to choose from! Whether truffles or gourmet chocolates tickle your delight, they’ll be sure to fix you up at this farmers market.

SA – Adelaide Farmers Market

Although Adelaide Central Market steals the show, many forget about the quaint Adelaide Farmers’ market! Here, you’ll have access to some of the best produce from South Australian family farms and a vibrant environment. Open from 9am every Sunday, you’ll have a stellar morning at one of Australia’s best farmer’s market! Whether you need little nibbles for your charcuterie board or a hefty meal for your lunch, the Adelaide Farmer’s market has got something for you.

VIC – Queen Victoria Night Market

The first thing you’ll notice here is the aroma of barbecued meats wafting to your nose as you enter the market. Held on Wednesdays in the summer, the QV night markets is an iconic food mecca that you cannot miss! With more than 60 eclectic street food stalls and 100 specialty stores, you’ll be lost in choices! Soak up the last drops of sun in the hottest place in Melbourne and treat yourself to a drink before the night begins.

WA – Perth City Farm Farmers Market

Situated in Perth City Farm, this market is the perfect place to shop for all of your sustainable and ethical produce! They’re held every Saturday and is connected to an amazing café and nursery. Whether you wanted to grab some homemade produce, relax in the courtyard or have an extravagant breakfast at the farm café, you won’t be disappointed at this market!

NT – Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Whether it’s late lunch or a dinner date, enjoy a slow and evening by spending it at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Run on Thursday and Sunday nights, it’s the perfect way to end the weekend or had a mid-week break! With more than 260 stalls, you won’t fall short of having something to see, eat or do. Hungry? They also have more than sixty food stalls! Grab yourself a bite to eat and settle yourself down on the beach to enjoy the real sunset

TAS – Farm Gate MYarket

Although most tourists go to the infamous Salamanca for their market visit, the Farm Gate Market is where you need to be! Rather than being a tourist destination, a majority of the traffic each week is from the locals. It opens from 8:30am every Sunday until 1 and it also has a designated food hub, so come hungry! From fresh seafood to breakfast delights, the Farm Gate market will definitely satisfy your delight. If the delicious bites don’t tickle your fancy, there’s an abundance of local produce that you can take home with you!

QLD – Noosa Farmers Market

From organic local produce to freshly squeezed juices, Noosa Farmers Market has everything for your perfect Sunday morning out! Being situated amongst the gum trees, it’s the perfect place to wander around and sample some delicious bites.  It’s deemed one of the best markets on the Sunshine Coast and we definitely agree! Want to spend more time here? Check out all the things you must do in Noosa!

Wherever you are in Australia, you’ll find an amazing market to stroll and peruse around. Wherever you are, you can also find an amazing property to stay at Aabode.com!

6 essential tips for your next road trip

Whether you’re on the road for an hour or a week, make sure you’re prepped! Check out these tips for your next road trip so you can just enjoy the ride.

Take frequent breaks

We’re not saying you have to stop at every servo when you’re on the road but its worthwhile taking a pit stop every hour or two. Whether you want to get out and explore the area a bit or get a quick bite to eat, taking a break is essential for the whole crew! Whether you need to take a quick toilet break or need to pump some petrol, stop at the next rest station or servo.

Dress comfortably

There’s nothing worse than sitting in a car for hours on end wearing tight and uncomfortable clothing! Make sure you wear comfortable and cozy clothing so you can feel relaxed during your ride. We recommend breathable clothes with some slippers or sneakers. If you even want to feel more comfortable, bring a mini pillow and throw!

Have entertainment on hand

Whether you bring along some games or whip together a playlist on Spotify, it’s essential that you have some entertainment for your journey, whether it’s long or short! Before you head off, be sure to download some audio books or trivia games to keep you occupied for your trip. Bring some Uno, crank up the speakers and get ready for a great time.

Pack snacks

Depending on how big your stomachs are and how many people are coming with you, you might need to bring a whole heap of snacks. An essential part to any road trip is having an excessive amount of snacks to share around the car while you chat or play games! Load up at the grocery store before you leave so you don’t have to purchase overpriced chips and meat pies at the servo. If you want a healthier alternatives, bring some homemade chip and dip or sliced fruit in advance!

Bring all of your chargers

This might be one of the most important tips for your road trip! Phones and devices are often used as a GPS, a music player or just for your social media scrolling pleasures. Running out of battery for any of these devices could lead to you getting lost or feeling extremely bored during your trip. Make sure you’re bringing a portable charger or a cord to plug into your car to avoid any messy mishaps!

Stay fresh – pack your toiletries

If there’s a full house in your car, the last thing you want to do is stink it up, especially if you’re driving for a long period of time. If there are no showers at your pit stop on the way, consider getting some wet wipes, dry shampoo or deodorant to keep yourself feeling fresh. Otherwise, just pack some mini toiletries and have them nearby in case you need to pull over at a rest stop and have a quick shower!

Every road trip will lead to a destination! No matter where you go, you can always find the perfect property at Aabode.com!

Tips to stress less on your holiday

Stress is something all of us experience. Whether its at work, home or at uni, it’s something we can’t escape, but it shouldn’t ever exist on a holiday! Check out our tips to help you stress less on your getaway so you can just focus on your relaxation!

Plan your pick up

This doesn’t mean you have to plan the transport for your whole trip but you should have a rough idea of how you’re going to get to your accommodation when you arrive. Taxis are sometimes the most expensive option and are sometimes not available in smaller cities at certain times! Whether you’re renting a car or planning to take public transport to the city, think about what you need to do beforehand to save yourself from any troubles. Whether it’s booking the car online or purchasing a travel card at your arrival, just do some quick research to save you from any trouble. Note: there might not be data or wifi available when you arrive!

Download offline maps

In case you’re stuck with no wifi or you’re unable to get your data up and running, you’ll be saved if you follow this tip! Most map applications allow you to download the whole map of a city or suburb so you’ll be able to use it without any internet! If you know where you’ll be exploring, you can download multiple maps so you can always check for directions on the go! Hot tip: Check out some great offline map and travel apps here!

Pack light

This might be the most obvious tip, but it might be the thing that causes you the most grief on your holiday! Try to fit everything in a small suitcase or a carry on style bag so you’ll always have a hand or two free for carrying other things. Some cities don’t have elevators or lifts so reconsider whether bringing two large suitcases is worth it! If you’re able to carry your luggage up and down a flight or two, you should be sweet to go! Check out some more packing tips here!

Have a digital backup

Although many people print out physical copies of their travel documents and organize them accordingly, it’s also a good idea to have a digital backup that is easily accessible on your phone. A simple way to do this is to just store them in your email in a folder so they can be easily accessed when needed! If you’re tech savvy and want to up the ante, there are also other travel apps that can store all of your documents and tickets in one place!

Bring what you need for a comfortable ride

Plan to stay comfy. Whether you’re travelling by car, plane or train, make sure you prepare to satiate and entertain yourself for the journey. Be sure to pack some travel snacks such as muesli bars or fruit to keep your stomach from grumbling for the whole journey. For long haul or overnight travel, make sure you also pack your sleeping essentials such as toothbrushes, pajamas, an extra set of clothes and a sleeping mask. Whether you’re travelling for a hour or a day, make sure you have your snacks at the ready, your movies downloaded and your headphones in so you can travel like a pro!

We’ll even if you an extra tip for having a stress free holiday…Book your property on Aabode.com! From 4000+ properties to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice!