Destination Sydney – what to explore on feet and paws

Sydney – it’s been ranked the second best travel destination in the world, and we can certainly see why. Sydney is one Australia’s most beautiful cities, with a host of attractions and activities to explore. Couple all that Sydney has to offer with an Aussie love of sharing everything with our beloved animal companions, and you have the perfect recipe for a good time out.

If you’re planning a stint in Sydney and surrounds and want to make the most of your time – and your budget! – consider some of these top spots to visit on your own or with a pet-pal by your side. Continue reading “Destination Sydney – what to explore on feet and paws”

Sydney and Melbourne’s Best Dog-Friendly Eateries

It’s always great to get outdoors and enjoy a brisk walk or a meandering stroll with our four legged friend.  It’s even better coupled with a coffee in hand!

Many cafes across Australia are now embracing the dog loving community and opening their doors to our fur pals. The realisation that pets are now showered with human-like adoration is one that will see many pup-loving businesses become popular spots for the vast pet loving community.

Here are some of the best dog friendly cafes in Sydney and Melbourne to get you started, but we’d love to hear your favourites from around the country –  share your faves with us on Facebook. Continue reading “Sydney and Melbourne’s Best Dog-Friendly Eateries”

Enjoy Your Independence as a House and Pet Sitter

Housing affordability in Australia continues to be a hot topic, especially for young Aussies looking to live independently of family.

Moving out of home is a rite of passage for every young person. There comes a time when you want to make your own choices, live life the way you want and, most importantly, have your own space.

But what if you wanted to live in or close to the bustling, cosmopolitan centres of one of Australia’s metropolitan cites? What if the savings you built up from part-time work doesn’t quite set you up to dive into the world of home ownership? What if you don’t want to settle down in a place until you’re sure that it’s right for you? Continue reading “Enjoy Your Independence as a House and Pet Sitter”

4 Things That Will Test Your Comfort Zone This Winter

Australians have a remarkable sense of curiosity that attracts us to new life experiences or opportunities to live life in someone else’s shoes.

So many Australians are drawn to the house and pet sitting lifestyle every year – whether for a short break away or for extended periods – all because it offers great opportunity to get off the usual tourist trail to discover more about the places you visit. Continue reading “4 Things That Will Test Your Comfort Zone This Winter”

3 Great Reasons to Visit Perth – And They’re Free

House and pet sitting can take you to some amazing places around the country and Perth in Western Australia is definitely one not to be missed. With striking natural beauty, engaging history and a vibrant culture, Perth is a great place to explore on foot or by sea. So while you’re living like a local as a house and pet sitter, take some time to enjoy some of what Perth and its surrounds have to offer.

Natural Beauty

If you’re a nature lover and like to let your feet lead the way, Perth and its surrounding regions have a myriad of walks, parks, beaches and waterfalls to enjoy. Continue reading “3 Great Reasons to Visit Perth – And They’re Free”

Places to visit this Autumn

-early morning2The weather is cooling, the leaves are falling and bursts of red, orange and brown make for fantastic photo opportunities at every turn.

It’s Autumn in Australia and we’ve picked out some interesting places for you to visit, where the season is celebrated with activity, striking visual vibrancy and foodie delights.

NSW

Lying at the foot of an extinct volcano, Orange is a great place to unwind and relax and immerse yourself in the region’s sumptuous food and wine. The fertile volcanic soils produce stone fruits to olives, fungi and grapes. Take a walk through the Orange Botanic al Gardens or the city’s Heritage trail to get to know the history of the area, or visit the limestone caves of Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve to see one of Australia’s first gold mines, which lies just beyond the border of Orange. Continue reading “Places to visit this Autumn”

See Sydney for free

Post 2.1 imageVisiting Sydney doesn’t have to be an expensive experience. There are loads of free or budget conscious events available for young and old and for the entire family.

For a no cost scenic exploration on Sydney – get your feet moving and walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or visit the steps of the Sydney Opera House. The Royal Botanic Gardens are not far from here where you can admire 30 hectares of tropical plants, green lawns and ponds and simply relax while you overlook the harbour.

There are wonderful weekend markets around the city which feature entertainment, fresh produce and interesting arts, fashion and souvenirs. Continue reading “See Sydney for free”

House and pet sitting in prime holiday destinations

A1Many Aussies are realising just how cost effective it is to travel as a house and pet sitter, as many recent articles have mentioned.

Rent free holiday accommodation during peak season is unique to a house and pet sitting holiday and it means more cash in your pocket to have more fun on your holiday.

For David and Glenys, staying on the Sunshine Coast instead of experiencing a cold winter back home, was the ideal way to spend their holiday. Mooloolaba was another of their favourite house and pet sitting holiday destinations where they spent many days swimming in the surf and enjoying the shops and restaurants. Continue reading “House and pet sitting in prime holiday destinations”

Wine, Cheese, House Sitting and Old World Charm in the Barossa Valley

House sitting in The Barossa Valley About an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide in Southern Australia lies the Barossa Valley which derives its name from the surrounding Barossa Ranges. With a population of only 20,000 people living mostly in four major towns, the area exudes a quiet, quaint serenity that belies its role as a world-class wine producing region. It is a restful and interesting location to venture out with a spot house sitting or pet sitting and take in a touch of the world!

If Germany and a bit of history interests you, then look no further, you can almost feel the atmosphere when you are house sitting in Tanunda. Continue reading “Wine, Cheese, House Sitting and Old World Charm in the Barossa Valley”

Darwin Festival – Showcase of the Northern Territory

Darwin Festival Children Perched atop the northern rim of the country, closer to Singapore than it is to Canberra, Darwin has grown from an outpost into one of Australia’s most modern cities with a cultural diversity unseen in any other part of the country. Named after the Charles Darwin who had previously sailed with the HMS Beagle, the city was destroyed by Japanese air raids in WW II and Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Because of both occasions, Darwin has been rebuilt twice, each time making it more and more modern. It has a dry season with blue skies and soft breezes, and a wet season with cyclones, heavy rains and spectacular lightning displays.

Every year, to celebrate its phoenix-like rise from the ashes, the city stages the Darwin Festival, an exciting event that showcases its multicultural population, distinct weather, picturesque outdoors and vibrant arts.

18 Days of Fun

Darwin Festival lasts for 18 days and nights featuring concerts, theatre and dance music, comedy shows and cabaret, exhibitions of film and visual arts as well as workshops all staged by local and touring groups. Scheduled for August 8 – 25, 2013 the event is the first Australian festival to make use of audience impact methodology to help develop productions that engage the audience and deliver deeper experiences. Darwin residents often travel at this time of the year too, making the need for a house carer or pet sitter an attractive and viable option for people looking to immerse themselves into the culture of the Northern Territory. Continue reading “Darwin Festival – Showcase of the Northern Territory”