Your new life in exciting Sydney

You’ll need to purchase and load currency to an Opal card to travel on trains, buses, ferries and light rail in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Illawarra and Southern Highlands.

Homestay allows you to live with an Australian host family - usually within 30 minutes of the CBD. You’ll pay a fee that covers accommodation, breakfast and dinner and Greenwich College can make the arrangements on your behalf.

Alternatively, you can rent (or ‘lease’) a house or apartment - either alone or with others.

Despite this, moving to a new country where you may not know anyone can feel incredibly daunting - so here are our tips to help you make friends and settle in when you arrive:

• Making friends can be as simple as saying 'hello' and seeing where the conversation will take you
• Participate in Greenwich College’s social functions
• Get a job and participate in social occasions with fellow workers, such as Friday night drinks
• Join a sporting club
• Don’t turn down social invitations!

If you’re coming to Sydney for the beaches, you will not be disappointed! Some of Sydney's best beaches are less than 10 km from the city centre. The world-famous Bondi Beach is a 20-minute bus ride from Greenwich College. For a more peaceful experience, go further afield to the Northern Beaches - Manly and Palm Beach are not to be missed.

Or, visit Clovelly, Coogee or discover beautiful beaches inside Sydney Harbour - such as the picturesque Balmoral, Neilsen Park or Parsley Bay. At popular beachside destinations, you’ll find waterside dining, cafés and bars, great shopping and vibrant night-life, as well as water sport activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding.

If you’re not one to laze in the sun but do love a spot of shopping, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Sydney. Visit Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, David Jones and Westfield in the city centre. Chatswood, Parramatta, Macquarie Centre, Bondi Junction, Broadway and Brookvale also offer large shopping precincts outside of the city centre. You’ll find great markets at Bondi Beach, Paddington, Kirribilli, Glebe and Manly too.

Sydney has a diverse and vibrant cultural calendar with world-class performances, exhibitions and festivals all year-round as well as galleries and museums. It’s also home to amusement parks, zoos, parks, theatres, sports stadiums and various free festivals.

General safety tips:

• Ask local friends about places to avoid, especially at night
• Keep valuable possessions out of sight and be aware of surroundings on public transport
• Travel in the front carriage near the driver when the train is almost empty
• Check transport timetables in advance, to help avoid long waits.
• Stand in well lit areas
• Walk in well lit areas, even if this means you must walk a longer distance
• Avoid short cuts through dark, isolated areas
• If you feel threatened in any way when walking, go to a shop or house (with lights on at night) – and ask a person to phone police
• Avoid using cash machines when you're in an isolated area at night

Help available at Greenwich College:
Business hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm 
Telephone: +61 2 9264 2223 
Email: info@greenwichcollege.com.au 

Emergency Assistance:
Dial triple zero ‘000’ or ‘112’ from a mobile phone for police, ambulance and fire brigade.

Greenwich College is located in the heart of the central business district close to all types of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightlife. 

In summer (December - February), average maximum temperatures are around 26°C and humidity averages 65% - it’s the perfect time to enjoy Sydney’s pristine beaches and the great outdoors.

Autumn (March - May) is very mild in Sydney with low humidity making it an extremely pleasant time to visit. In winter, (June-August), temperatures average around 16°C but can drop to around 7°C - whilst in spring time (September - November), the city comes alive as Sydney-siders enjoy the longer, warmer days without the humidity of high summer.