Today it is exactly three weeks ago that I had, after 38 hours of flight and stay in Vietnam, the Australian ground under my feet and I must say it feels as if years had passed. Sydney got me and I got in Sydney, I think. Admittedly, it’s not hard to get used to in sunshine, beach and incredibly friendly people, right? What however is still unfamiliar to me and still remains a real challenge is the huge range of things that you can do here. Even as a Berliner, it is either my head, which will explode soon, or my to-do-list, which will soon not have any space, left for studying.

Slowly but surely, however, I made my way a little through the urban jungle and can report with pride that I have traced quite a few ‘hot spots’ for the small purse. My current personally-set duty is: find something at a special price for each day of the week and until now already 3-4 days a week are filled with incredibly good and cheap stuff.

Here are some tips:

Doggy Tuesday in the Soda Factory

The Soda Factory Sydney

The Soda Factory is a cool and hip (ster) district of Sydney’ Surry Hills. From the outside it appears to be a normal hot dog shop, from the inside, however, it turns out to be a hot bar with stage. On Tuesdays, the shop is rocking at its own peak. Hot dogs are sold for only $ and we are not speaking about typical street food-like hot dogs but about a fancy selection of 5 hot dogs, chicken to Veggie Dog, you name it. The BBQ or regular hot dog, all for a dollar!

Hot dogs are best to enjoy with the finest blues. On Tuesdays a real jam session is on on-stage: several bands and musicians parade on stage and jam at their best. Incredible dogs, perfect music and chilled Tiger beer! Five stars!

Address: 16 Wentworth Ave Surry Hills 2010

Wednesday is Sushi Day!

Sushi in Sydney

Sushi does not exactly sound like the perfect budget snack. With a bit of finesse and open eyes, however, you can certainly spot a real bargain here. After 8 o’clock a small sushi shop on George Street and in close proximity to the large tower building of the University of Technology, sells large sushi rolls for $ 1! Having spoiled yourself with 2 or 3 another $ 5 beer or wine is definitely doable! Go to ‘The Loft’, the Unibar at UTS. Every evening there is fine electric tunes and live music.

Address: Ultimo 2007

A steak on Thursday

One of my personal favourite day of 7 days in Sydney is the $ 0 Steak-day at the Cock’n’Bull pub near Bondi Junction. The pub has a real Irish design (including Irish people) and sprays this pleasant scent of Magners and Bulmers Cider soaked carpets among the customers. On Thursdays you get a free steak for every drink you order! No joke. Simply walk over to the bar, order a drink and you will get a steak for free. You just need to decide for a side dish which then is 1,50$ each. With a buzzer à la Vapiano one waits for his steak (or Schnitzel). And even for free, a real pleasure!

The steak can be danced off on the dance floor till late!

Address: 89 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction 2022

Friday = BBQ

I must confess that I tended to forget during the last few weeks that I’m here to study. So I spent almost a whole week at a hostel rather than in the library to study. Hey, but at least I can now recommend you a huge BBQ for only $ 5 at the YHA hostel. In the courtyard you come together with fellow travellers (and wannabes like me), then just wait until the French cook dishes up. There are: sausages, meat balls, salads, potatoes, bread and a lot of other stuff. Do not expect a luxury dinner, but rather a good basis for the following weekend in Sydney. You should better by a bottle of wine or beer in one of the many bottle shops in advance and use the evening as a small pre-drink. Moreover, it is always cool to meet other travelers! BBQ’s voucher to be paid at the reception!

Address: Cnr Fletcher and Dell View Street Bondi Beach 2026

Hangover Sunday

Friday will be long, surely! This calls for something savoury or spicy for the next day. My little personal tip here is a tiny Asian passage/arcade near the Bondi Junction. In an open-air passage you will find a small Asian arcade where various stalls sell incredible food. My favourite: the stand at the very beginning of the arcade. They offer entire Asian dishes in boxes for $ 3. For a snack then, the stand on the opposite offers 1$ sushi rolls!

Address: Bondi Junction 2022, through an exit of the bus interchange you will end up in the open air mall

Sunday is Funday

Photo by Anne Steinbach – Bronte Beach

Sunday is chill day, that’s clear. What do you think about a BBQ on the beach? Coogee and Bronte Beach both have fixed grill stations, which can be used individually. Plan a little queue-up, as it is always busy here! Once you’ve won your part on the grill, you can grill your food (totally free) and either eat on the lawn or even in one of the small picnic huts. Depending on what you plan to have on the grill, you will certainly end up with a relatively cheap night and a little bit of a sun tan.

Follow the advice and you not only save money, but also see different parts of Sydney. And, give me more tips to finish up my list!