vacation – Affordable Luxury

What’s on in Sydney | June

While the rest of the world is jumping into the summer hype, everyone in Australia is burrito-ing themselves into blankets and amping up the heater to its highest temperature because winter is definitely going to be a big one. But the cold shouldn’t stop you from getting out of your house! Grab your coats and sweaters and let us help you with this list by adding some fun and warmth in this sweater weather!

Markets!

Markets all around the year and markets some more! Sydney is bringing you some of the best markets with products ranging from vintage collectibles to mouth-watering food trucks that will keep you going back for more because one day will just not be enough! Go to the Glebe markets that have over 200 stalls, combined with live music to add some jazz and really yummy eats for your tummy! Head to one of Sydney’s finest shopping precincts and get lost in the Mosman Artisans markets that are held every first Saturday of the month throughout the year except January. With over 140 arts and crafts stalls, gourmet food and musical entertainment, you’ll surely have a lively winter’s day fun in the sun! Located in Sydney’s only remaining drive-in theatre- The Skyline Drivein will have the Blacktown Markets that will be complimenting a variety of food-trucks and pop-up food places with live music and a big bouncy castle for the kids!

Cruises

Want to take it up a notch and add some luxury into your winter days? Sydney is bringing you lunch and dinner cruises for you and your friends, partner, family and everyone else to feel oh so fancy! One of Sydney’s most majestic cruises, The Catarman that is a hit amongst the locals as well as tourists. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour while you have lunch in an air-conditioned dining saloon. For some city lights in the evenings have an unforgettable cruising experience aboard the Spectacular Sydney Showboat II. A three-hour dinner cruise on an authentic, air-conditioned paddlewheeler with a deluxe three-course seated and served menu. Take advantage of the fabulous photo opportunities with the magnificent Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background.

And while you’re at it, catch the fireworks at Darling Harbour every Saturday from 8:30 PM.

Taste of the Opera House

Calling all the foodies in! Wine and dine your way around the Sydney Opera House’s restaurants and bars. An entirely different way to experience Australia’s most inspiring building while taking in the culinary delights of some of Sydney’s best chefs.

Escorted by your own personal Sydney Opera House guide from Stage Door, begin with a cocktail making a class at Opera Bar learning to create one of their signature cocktails while enjoying fresh seafood and charcuterie from Matt Moran influenced RAW bar and Meat and Cheese Room. You will make your way down the concourse to get hands-on at Opera Kitchen in a poke bowl making masterclass with one of their expert chefs. The best part of the masterclass is you get to eat it after. A spectacular lunch will then be served at Portside Sydney, where you enjoy a scrumptious main course paired with matched Australian wines.

Finish your day at Bennelong restaurant, enjoying a delicious Peter Gilmore signature dessert and theatrical cocktail to accompany.

Aboriginal Heritage Tour

Whether you’re a tourist or a local looking to enrich your cultural and historical knowledge, go on an Aboriginal Tour with an Aboriginal guide in the heart of the city. Located in a spectacular harbourside setting, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is one of Sydney’s most treasured and iconic destinations.

On the traditional land of the Cadigal people, the land now occupied by the Garden is the site where the modern transformation of the Australian continent began and can be regarded as the ‘first frontier’ between Aboriginal and European societies.

Join an experienced Aboriginal guide on a 1.5-hour walking tour of the Garden which highlights the significance of the site to Aboriginal people, as well as the rich heritage and culture of Aboriginal people of the Sydney region.

The tour runs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 AM, starting from the 29th of May.

Sydney’s largest yoga and meditation group

If you want to do something different and find your inner peace and balance within you, Mita Meditation which is a volunteer-run Meditation and Wellness center is bringing you various meditation programs every Sunday starting from 2nd June.

It is a movement that promotes self-empowerment of individuals thus creating no/less dependency on external factors for them to achieve success in any area of life.

Mita Meditation also has a mission to empower every being by spreading a basic understanding of one’s true self which is referred to as Eternal Power. They also teach various Mind training techniques including meditation. Mita Meditation sessions are free of cost solely run on voluntary contributions.

Vivid

An event that is all the craze now! If there’s one place in the world where inspiration shines bright, it’s Vivid Sydney. Returning for its eleventh year from 24th May to 15th June 2019. Vivid Sydney is Australia’s most awarded festival that brings together light artists, music makers, and brilliant minds to share their creativity with you.

Vivid Light illuminates Sydney’s skyline with Lights On! from 6 PM each evening. As the Lighting of the Sails unfurls across the architectural wonders of the Sydney Opera House, weave your way along the Light Walk around the harbor front and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and venture into other parts of Sydney to brighten up your winter nights. Additionally, Vivid Ideas brings you 23 days and nights of future-facing talks, hands-on workshops, and industry-shaping forums. Game Changers Spike Lee and Esther Perel challenge assumptions on race and relationships. The Mark Colvin Conversation: Net Worth, asks what price we’ll pay for our constant digital distraction. What more could you ask for when you can experience, knowledge, fun and bright lights all in one place?!

For making your stay more memorable in Sydney, visit Aabode.com now to have a look at some exciting properties ranging from funky apartments to serene accommodations with a homely vibe!

Your ultimate skiing destinations in the land down under!

The land down under is usually associated with beautiful beaches and long summer days, but it also offers a decent ski season with plenty of snow covered ski fields to choose from across its southern states.

Typically running from July to October, snowfall makes for ideal conditions for skiing, snowboarding and a variety of fun snow play activities. So hit the snow while you can this ski season and live a truly unique snowy experience.

Thredbo, New South Wales

If you’re a ski expert and need that adrenaline rush, get yourself to Thredbo now! You’ll find the longest run in Australia over here with the 5 km long Crackenback super-trail, as well as the country’s highest lifted point, at 2037 m. To add to your excitement, there are the super-steep Balls to the Wall pitch. Beginners are catered for, too, thanks to the friendly Friday Flats, where many an Aussie has conquered his/her first snow plough. All in all, more than 50 runs weave their way across the resort.

In between skiing and snowboarding, you can grab some bites at Australia’s highest restaurant or après-skiing in Thredbo Village, where you can sip champagne while stargazing in the Alpine Hotel’s outdoor Jacuzzi.

Thredbo is about 490 km or five-and-a-half hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 530 km or six-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Perisher, New South Wales

Perisher is most definitely the ski destination in the Southern hemisphere. It became so in 1995 when the four resorts within it, Perisher, Smiggins, Blue Cow and Guthega joined forces. You get 1245 hectares, 47 lifts, seven mountains and five terrain parks to carve up on. One of the trickiest runs is Olympic, on Back Perisher Mountain, while, for newbies, Smiggins Holes makes falling over not-too-scary.

If you’re keen to take a break from downhill skiing, there are 100 kilometers of marked cross-country tracks to try. On-snow sleepovers are everywhere, but Perisher also allows the affordability of a stay in Jindabyne. From there, drive to Bullocks Flat and catch the Ski Tube.

Perisher is about 490 km or six hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 600 km or seven hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Falls Creek, Victoria

Falls Creek might be a third of the size of Perisher, but it’s still the largest ski resort in Victoria. 450 hectares gives you 15 lifts and more than 90 runs. The terrain is less dramatic than at other spots, which means that it will be ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers. And, in between downhill escapades, you can investigate 65 kilometers of cross-country trails. If you’re around at the end of August, check out the Kangaroo Hoppet, a marathon 42-kilometer-long ski race which happens to be the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest snow sport event.

Falls Creek is about 670 km or seven hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 380 km or four-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Mount Buller, Victoria

Mount Buller is conveniently located 3 hours from Melbourne. It’s got 22 lifts, which is the most out of all the Victorian ski resorts and runs over a total of 300 hectares. Pro skiers should head to the south side of the mountain, where you’ll find plenty of black (difficult and scary) runs, while intermediates will be happier on the northern side, scooting down blue runs. If you’ve never even so much looked at a pair of skis before, grab a Discovery Pass, which includes a lesson and access to eight beginner’s lifts.

On the days when you and your skis need a break from each other, you can take five in Australia’s highest day spa, go rock climbing and hop between 30 bars and restaurants.

Mount Buller is about 800 km or eight hours’ drive southwest of Sydney and about 230 km or three-and-a-half hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne.

Visit Aabode.com right now and check out some gorgeous accommodations that are available at Mount Buller right now!

Gold Coast Grubs under $10

On a budget? Spent all of your money on a $20 smoothie in the airport? Rather spend your money on activities? Not to fear! We’ve compiled some of the best cheap eats in the Gold Coast that are $10 or under. Grab your spare change and lets go get some grub!

Weiner Haus

When you think of cheap eats, hot dogs are probably the first thing that pop up in your mind, but these dogs from Weiner Haus will blow your mind! With all of their food truck hot dogs $10 or under, they’ll blow up your taste buds but not your bank. These gourmet dogs are pimped up with toppings from sour cream and guacamole or Japanese mayonnaise and fried shallots!

Burgster

From crispy fried chicken wings to juicy stacked burgers, Burgster’s got it all. This packed burger joint always pleases the crowds with their specials which include $5 taco Tuesdays, $1 wing Wednesdays and $1 oyster Fridays. Feeling thirsty? Don’t worry, they also do weekly thirsty Thursday specials! Whether you wanted a quick bite or a satisfying sip, Burgster will take care of you.

Sandwich Bros

Sometimes nothing satisfies your hunger like a fat sandy, and that’s where the Sandwich Bros comes in. Whether you’re after some scorching hot toasties, loaded wraps, colorful salads or a thick sandwich, you have to run down to them! Grab your pennies and dimes, because they have lunch special sets for $10 and daily $7 special baguettes.

Govindas

We’ve got one for the veggie lovers and vegans out there too! Govinda’s offers a multitude of options at their store and it’s filled with healthy and abundant feeds. All the food is made in house daily and they have a mecca of options including hearty salads, hot plates, lasagna, filo pastries and cakes all under $10 dollars. We would definitely recommend the mini cheesecakes that only go for $4!

Harajuku Gyoza

If you’ve got a big appetite and you’re still looking a place to fill your mouth, Harajuku Gyoza will be the place to tantilise your tastebuds. Most of their steaming hot gyozas go for $10 or under and include flavours such as lemongrass chicken, takoyaki and cheeseburger! Still got some chump change after your juicy dumplings? Grab some matcha KitKat gyoza, chicken karaage or raindrop cakes!

We’ve got you sorted on where to eat. We can also sort you out on where to stay! Check out the amazing Gold Coast properties we have on Aabode.com!