Faqs
General Questions
We’re at the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus, adjacent to the new Business School building. We’re minutes from public transport, lecture halls, the university’s Sports & Aquatic Centre and Carriageworks. Newtown’s cosmopolitan shops, services and cafes are also a short walk away. Our street address is 385 Abercrombie St, Darlington. Our university location is H67.
From the airport: The quickest option is to catch a taxi directly to Mandelbaum House. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs around $30–$45 depending on traffic and time of day. We’re also near a train station and public buses. When you confirm your arrival details with us, we can suggest the best option for you.
From the city centre: We’re a 7-minute walk from Redfern Station, which is one train station away from Central Station. We’re two stations from Town Hall, which is in the heart of the city and close to Darling Harbour; and four stations from Circular Quay, which is the gateway to Sydney Harbour, including attractions such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and historic Rocks area.
Several bus services run close to Mandelbaum House from the city. These include the 422, 423, 426 and 428 bus services,which run approximately every 5 to 10 minutes along City Road. Buses go to Broadway Shopping Centre, Central Station, the CBD and Circular Quay (Harbour Bridge and Opera House).
We welcome men and women of all nationalities and religions. Current and past residentsinclude people who are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i and of no denomination.
Kosher means keeping to the Jewish dietary laws. It’s a Hebrew word meaning ‘fit’ (in this context, fit to eat). Observant Jews eat only kosher foods. Kosher meat must come from a permitted animal or bird (pork and shellfish are not kosher) carefully slaughtered by a pious person. Meat and dairy foods are not cooked, served or eaten together. Kosher homes have separate meat and dairy utensils.
In Australia, Jewish student services are organised differently to those in America and other countries. We offer support to students who are acclimatising to life in Sydney through social, educational and Jewish events.
The college operates 365 days per year for residents, who are welcome to stay through summer breaks. These stays aren’t included in semester fees but we do offer discounted student and long-stay rates during breaks. We also accept non-residents to stay during semester breaks, subject to room availability.
As a Jewish college we adhere to Kosher dietary laws and celebrate Jewish festivals throughout the year. We’re a short walk to Newtown Synagogue.
Visitors are welcome and can join us for meals for a small charge. Guest accommodation can be arranged in advance via the office. Guests are not permitted in the college between 11pm and 6am each day unless they have made arrangements with the office to stay over. For a small fee they can stay overnight and eat meals, but this must be pre-arranged with the office.
We provide all bed linen and towels and have a weekly laundry service as well as coin-operated washing machines and dryers on site.
There is a vegetarian alternative at every meal and we accommodate other dietary needs. Please contact the office if you have specific queries.
We offer packed lunches on weekdays (by request the night before, with plenty of choices). Late lunches and dinners are also available on request.
No. During semesters we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday, brunch on Saturday, and brunch and dinner on Sunday. Our rates include all of these meals for both residents and casual guests. During vacations we provide breakfast. There are microwaves, fridges and kettles in common areas through the college.
Due to the very low usage of telephones in the bedrooms, we have removed this service and charge. There is a public telephone next to the dining room.
During the academic year for Mandelbaum residents there is unlimited free internet via ethernet cable to the University of Sydney, and 20GB per month of unfiltered wifi with 20Mbps speeds guaranteed through private provider BigAir Community Broadband.
During the summer period (November–February), free ethernet connection is available for students and academics with a USYD unikey account. Wifi is offered at a charge paid directly to BigAir by credit card.
There are several internet cafes on King St, which is a 5-minute walk from the college, and free wireless access at the pub across the road.
Short stays
We’re at the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus, adjacent to the new Business School building. We’re minutes from public transport, lecture halls, the university’s Sports & Aquatic Centre and Carriage works. Newtown’s cosmopolitan shops, services and cafes are also a short walk away. Our street address is 385 Abercrombie St, Darlington. Our university location is H67.
From the airport: The quickest option is to catch a taxi directly to Mandelbaum House. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs around $30–$45 depending on traffic and time of day. We’re also near a train station and public buses. When you confirm your arrival details with us, we can suggest the best option for you.
From the city centre: We’re a 7-minute walk from Redfern Station, which is one train station away from Central Station. We’re two stations from Town Hall, which is in the heart of the city and close to Darling Harbour; and four stations from Circular Quay, which is the gateway to Sydney Harbour, including attractions such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and historic Rocks area.
Several bus services run close to Mandelbaum House from the city. These include the 422, 423, 426 and 428 bus services, which run approximately every 5 to 10 minutes along City Road. Buses go to Broadway Shopping Centre, Central Station, the CBD and Circular Quay (Harbour Bridge and Opera House).
Due to the very low usage of telephones in the bedrooms, we have removed this service and charge. There is a public telephone next to the dining room.
During the academic year for Mandelbaum residents there is unlimited free internet via ethernet cable to the University of Sydney, and 20GB per month of unfiltered wifi with 20Mbps speeds guaranteed through private provider BigAir Community Broadband.
During the summer period (November–February), free ethernet connection is available for students and academics with a USYD unikey account. Wifi is offered at a charge paid directly to BigAir by credit card.
There are several internet cafes on King St, which is a 5-minute walk from the college, and free wireless access at the pub across the road.
No. Each group of rooms has a microwave, kettle and fridge. The apartments and studios contain a private kitchenette area with the same facilities.
During University of Sydney semesters, breakfast is included on weekdays and brunch on weekends. The times will be displayed on the noticeboard in the dining room area.
No. Each guest receives a swipe card to enter the building and a key to their room.
Yes. However, the office is not staffed on public holidays or at the weekend and we can’t accept arrivals on 25 December, 31 December or 1 January. A minimum number of days stay is required during this time.
A welcoming and warm place immersed in cultural diversity,
great memories and friends for life!
Audrey, New Caledonia
It is wonderful to have a spacious and fully furnished bedroom
to which I can retreat to after a busy day of classes!
Julio, Colombia
I love that I always have a healthy option
at every meal that is also delicious!
Rebecca, USA
When you go to uni with 60,000 people,
it’s nice to come back to a family of 40 at the end of the day.
Michael, Australia
Mandelbaum House has been the most diverse,
welcoming, active society I have ever been involved in.
Alex, USA