If you cook for yourself you will find most of the ingredients you need in supermarkets and speciality food stores. Sydney's Chinatown, situated in the heart of the city, has grocery stores and supermarkets selling all types of Asian produce and goods. A butcher shop close to UNSW sells halal meat. The SBS Guide on Sydney's Ethnic Food and Restaurants is an excellent source of information on ethnic food available in Sydney. Staff at the International Student Services can advise you or refer you to students from your home country for information on where to shop for your special dietary needs.

 

Other large shopping areas are located within walking distance of UNSW. In these shopping centres, you can find most of the foods and retail services you need. There are also a number of weekend markets easily accessible by public transport which sell a large variety of goods, including fruit and vegetables.

 

Sydney also has a wide variety of restaurants where you can try foods from most countries of the world. Prices vary from AUD$7.00 at a number of Asian food bars/restaurants nearby the University, to $20 per person for dinner at a moderately priced restaurant.

Kensington campus has banks, pharmacy, Union Zippy's convenience stores and newsagents, cafes and food court, health clinic with dental practice, post office, hair salon and travel agent.

 

The UNSW Bookshop and SecondHand Bookstore sell both new and used books and course materials. The Union Zippy’s stores sell academic related stationery supplies, software required at UNSW.

 

The high streets within walking distance of Kensington campus are Belmore Road in Randwick and along Anzac Parade in Kingsford. Maroubra Junction has a lot more shops but it is 10 minutes away by bus.

 

The two nearest shopping malls are Westfield Bondi Junction - Bus Route 400 northbound - and Westfield Eastgardens - Bus Route 400 southbound. Both are approximately 15-20 minutes trip away. Pitt St Mall in the CBD is where major department stores and retails outlets are located.

 

For food and household groceries, the main chain supermarkets are Franklins, Bi Lo, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. Paddy's Markets in Haymarket Chinatown section of the CBD is best for fresh fruit and vegetables on its Thursday to Sunday trading times.

 

The recommended sources of furniture, whitegoods and house appliances are Second-hand furniture shops around the campus, Moore Park Supacentre, - Bus Route 302/303 and ISS Marketspace - the ISS online trading facility accessible through ISS homepage.

 

The weekend markets in Paddington, Glebe Point Road, Surry Hills, Kingsford Junction and Bondi Beach (Sunday trading) are worthwhile exploring for funky selection of second-hand and affordable items.

 

Other neighbourhoods with interesting 'high streets' are Darlinghurst & Paddington along Oxford St, Newtown along King St, Surry Hills along Crown St, Victoria Avenue in Potts Point & Kings Cross as well as Bondi Beach.

 

 

Business hours vary but are generally from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Trading hours for shops are similar with the exception of late night trading on Thursday evening till 9pm and trading all day on Saturday. Many stores are also open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, and more and more stores are remaining open for trading on weeknights. In some areas you may find a supermarket that is open 24 hours a day.

The University, business offices and banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.