Overview & Location
405 Bourke Street sits in Surry Hills, NSW 2010, a neighbourhood known for its cafés, bars, and proximity to central Sydney. The address is within walking distance to the CBD — the property’s tag says “Walkable to the CBD”, and with a latitude/longitude of -33.8816, 151.2164 it is roughly 1.5–2 km from the Sydney central business district. The immediate area includes a Woolworths supermarket next door (mentioned in one review), a cheese shop below, and numerous bars and restaurants. Surry Hills is a mixed residential and commercial area, popular with students and young professionals who want city access without living in the high-density core.
The building’s name in one review is referred to as the “Jasper building” — the management appears to be by St Margaret (likely St Margaret’s accommodation service, though no brand name is needed). The residence offers two unit types: studio and independent house (likely meaning self-contained flats or apartments). It is fully furnished and includes unlimited WiFi internet.
Who This Residence Suits
This property is best suited to students or professionals who:
- Prioritise location above all. The central Surry Hills position means you can walk to many parts of the CBD, to public transport, and to a wide range of eateries and shops. One review (Sam Lichter, 4-star) calls the location “amazing with Woolies next door, cheese shop below and countless bars and restaurants.”
- Want a furnished, internet-ready space. The tags list “Fully furnished” and “Unlimited WIFI internet”, so you can move in without buying furniture or arranging an internet connection.
- Need a relatively short lease. The minimum lease is 16 weeks, which suits a semester-length stay (around one academic term in many Australian universities) or a transitional period before finding longer-term housing.
- Prefer a quiet apartment. Sam Lichter’s 4-star review notes: “Apartment is roomy and don’t have problems with noisy neighbours above or below.” This suggests reasonable soundproofing between units.
- Are comfortable with a higher weekly rent. The price bracket is AUD 535–645 per week (indicative — confirm with the operator). That places it well above Sydney’s overall student-housing starting price of AUD 175/week (the city’s from-price, which likely reflects a shared room or basic hall). 405 Bourke Street is for someone who can afford a mid-to-higher budget for a fully self-contained space in a prime area.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
Not everyone will find this residence a good match.
- Those on a tight budget. At AUD 535–645 per week, the cost is roughly 3–4 times Sydney’s listed from-price of AUD 175. If you need to keep rent under AUD 300–400 per week, this property is not suitable.
- People who expect a hotel-level move-in experience. The 2-star review from joanne states: “Apartment had bare minimum for more than a weekend stay. There was no heat in the apartment and it was cold on arrival! … There was no food storage containers or basics like salt and pepper. The apartment was worn and not well care for and not as clean as other a.” While the staff provided a space heater quickly, the lack of heating at check-in and minimal kitchen equipment (no food containers, no salt/pepper) could disappoint someone expecting a fully stocked short-stay unit. Note that the 5-star review from Tandia Walsh describes a more positive experience: “Best location, lots of space and nice balcony, the customer service was also incredible.”
- Those who need a very short stay (under 16 weeks). The minimum lease is 16 weeks, so a 4–6 week visit won’t work unless the operator makes an exception. Always confirm availability for shorter periods directly.
- Students who prefer on-campus accommodation. Surry Hills is near the CBD, but not directly adjacent to a specific university campus. If you want to roll out of bed into a lecture theatre, this might not be ideal.
What Residents Actually Say
The property has 5 Google reviews with an average rating of 4.0. Three reviews are available; here they are verbatim:
Joanne (2 stars):
“Apartment had bare minimum for more than a weekend stay. There was no heat in the apartment and it was cold on arrival! we asked for a space heater and they provided one quickly. There was no food storage containers or basics like salt and pepper. The apartment was worn and not well care for and not as clean as other a”
Sam Lichter (4 stars):
“12 month tenant, Jasper building. St Margaret staff were excellent, always helpful. Location is amazing with Woolies next door, cheese shop below and countless bars and restaurants. Apartment is roomy and don’t have problems with noisy neighbours above or below. Things to be aware of: busy and loud crowds at the Beresf”
Tandia Walsh (5 stars):
“Best location, lots of space and nice balcony, the customer service was also incredible - very helpful on emails for all my concerns. would stay there again”
Key themes from reviews
- Location gets high marks — three reviewers all mention the neighbourhood positively.
- Customer service — both Sam Lichter and Tandia Walsh praise the staff; Joanne acknowledges quick provision of a heater.
- Condition — mixed. One reviewer found the apartment “worn and not well care for” and lacking basics; the other two were satisfied with space and balcony.
- Noise — Sam Lichter notes no issues with neighbours above/below, but warns about “busy and loud crowds at the Beresf” (likely a nearby pub/bar). So external street noise might be a factor on weekends.
Price Positioning & Value
Sydney’s student-housing market starts at AUD 175 per week (indicative — confirm with the operator). That figure likely represents a room in a shared apartment or a basic hostel-style bed. At AUD 535–645 per week, 405 Bourke Street sits near the upper end of what a student might pay for a self-contained unit in a premium location. For context:
- A typical studio or one-bedroom in Surry Hills can range from AUD 450–700/week depending on size, age, and inclusions.
- This property falls in the middle-upper part of that range, with the benefit of being fully furnished and having no internet setup cost.
- The 16-week minimum lease means you are committing to at least AUD 8,560–10,320 in rent (if paying weekly for 16 weeks). That is a significant financial commitment.
Compared to the city’s from-price of AUD 175, 405 Bourke Street is about three to four times higher. This is not a budget option, but it may offer better space and location than a shared room in a cheaper suburb.
Key takeaway: You are paying for location, furnishings, and a private unit. If those are your priorities, the price may be acceptable. If you need to minimise expenses, look for shared accommodation or rooms further from the CBD.
Room Types & Guidance
Two unit types are listed:
- Studio — a self-contained room with a combined living/bedroom area and a kitchenette and private bathroom. Studios at this address are likely compact but functional. Reviews mention “lots of space” (Tandia Walsh) and “roomy” (Sam Lichter), so perhaps the studios are generously sized.
- Independent house — this could mean an entire flat or a small house (or a larger apartment with separate rooms). The term “independent house” on Amber’s platform often indicates a self-contained unit that is not part of a dormitory-style building. Expect a full kitchen, separate bathroom, and one or more bedrooms.
Guidance: If you are comfortable with a compact living arrangement and like to study/sleep in one space, choose a studio. If you prefer a distinct bedroom and possibly share common areas with flatmates (depending on the “house” definition), check with the operator about the exact layout. The tag “Fully furnished” covers typical furniture, but confirm whether items like storage containers, salt/pepper, and extra linens are provided (the 2-star review suggests they are not guaranteed).
Booking Timing & Availability
The property’s earliest available date is 20 July 2026 (format: 20-07-2026). The minimum lease is 16 weeks, so the earliest move-out would be around mid-November 2026, assuming a start on 20 July.
Given that the city has 141 student-housing options listed through Amber, demand for Surry Hills accommodation can be high, especially for move-in dates coinciding with academic semesters (February and July). For a July 2026 start, serious enquiries should begin by early 2026 to allow time for application processing, document submission, and potential video tours. Because the property has only 5 reviews (albeit a 4.0 overall rating), it may not be the most reviewed option, but its central location will likely attract interest.
Recommendation: If this residence fits your budget and preferences, contact the operator as soon as possible after confirming your study plans. Ask about:
- Exact inventory of kitchen items and heating (especially for winter arrivals in July).
- Whether the 16-week minimum can be extended or shortened.
- Any deposit or bond required (the data shows deposit is null, so confirm).
- Which unit type (studio or independent house) is available on your preferred date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 405 Bourke Street include heating?
One guest (joanne) reported no heat on arrival in a cold apartment, and staff provided a space heater quickly. It is best to confirm with the operator whether central heating is available or whether portable heaters are standard. For a July (winter) move-in, this is a critical question.
Is the apartment clean and well-maintained?
Opinions differ. The 2-star review mentions “worn and not well care for and not as clean as other a” (the sentence cuts off). The 4- and 5-star reviews do not mention cleanliness issues specifically — they focus on positive staff and location. You may want to ask for current photos or a virtual tour, and request to see cleaning records if possible.
Can I rent for less than 16 weeks?
The data states a minimum lease of 16 weeks. No shorter term is indicated. If you need a shorter stay, you should ask the operator whether any flexibility exists — but officially, the minimum is 16 weeks.
Sources & data date: All pricing, availability, property information, and reviews sourced from Amberstudent as of 2026-07 (first available date 20 July 2026). Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews quoted verbatim from Google.
For live availability and to check if 405 Bourke Street still has rooms for your preferred move-in date, use the on-site assistant on this page.
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