If you want to find out which are the best cities in Australia to visit on holiday, don’t ask an Aussie. It’s not that they won’t know. It’s that they all know that their own city is the best, so you won’t get many unbiased opinions. The answer also depends on what time of year you’re visiting, what type of holiday you’re after in this diverse country and a load of other factors. So, let’s take an objective outsider’s look at holidaying in this beautiful country.
Australia is a country of contradictions. There are sun-soaked cities with their beaches and resorts, like the Gold Coast, while some cities are major international capitals of culture and tourism. Others are urban outposts in an otherwise inhospitable arid desert. And then there are the lesser-known, smaller cities, where you’ll often find the most authentic Aussie experiences of all. When you’re looking for holidays in Australia, you can’t really go wrong with any city you choose.
For more info on our top cities, you can also read our accompanying Australia travel guide.
Sydney
Let’s start with the most well-known city in Australia, Sydney. It’s large and cosmopolitan, containing some of the country’s most famous tourist attractions. It also has a relatively comfortable climate all year round, although it may be a little humid for some in the summer months, from December to February.
Sydney’s Iconic Architecture
While many European cities are known for their wonderful historical architecture, Sydney’s architectural attractions are far more modern. You probably know about the Sydney Opera House, with its characteristic ship sail silhouette, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but it would be remiss not to mention them. They certainly help to make Sydney one of the best cities to visit in Australia.
World-Famous Beaches
Sydney’s beaches are some of its most alluring features. The famous Bondi Beach is the epitome of an Australian beach, with its warm water, long stretches of sand and plenty of amenities. Coogee Beach is very popular too, as is Tamarama Beach. Sydney is also a world surfing capital, so if that’s what you’re after, hit Manly Beach or Freshwater Beach.
Art, Culture and Leisure
Sydney has an arty side as well, which you’ll find in the likes of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. To encounter the historical side of the city, take a walk along the cobbled streets of the harbour quarter. This is also where you’ll find some of Sydney’s oldest pubs, where these days you can sample Australian craft beer. Or if all you feel like is a leisurely day out, you can visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, purportedly the oldest public one in the world.
Melbourne
Although it generally plays second fiddle to Sydney in Australia’s tourism stakes, Melbourne is undoubtedly one of the coolest cities in the country. From music to sport, art to food, this is a pleasantly progressive city to visit on your Australian holiday.
Australia’s music capital
Melbourne has been the musical centre of Australia since the 1960s, so it has a very well-established and flourishing live gig scene that gives it a claim to be one of the best cities in Australia. Add to this a slew of nightclubs and hipster bars and you have all the makings of an exciting holiday. Brunswick Street is one of the epicentres, and you absolutely can’t pass up the chance to watch a gig on AC/DC Lane. Yes, that is the real name of the street.
Iconic Sports Events and Venues
Ask any cricket fan the world over what Australia’s standout landmark is and you’ll usually get the same answer: the MCG. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is among the best places in the world to watch the game, with a heritage almost on par with Lord’s. It’s the spiritual home of Aussie cricket, so don’t miss a chance to catch a match there. Melbourne also plays host to a number of premier annual sporting events, such as the Australian F1 Grand Prix and the Australian Open Tennis Championships.
Tour the City and its Street Art
Take a walk to admire Melbourne’s street art, which you’ll find in three main areas of the city. Hosier Lane is celebrated for it, as are Union Lane and Block Arcade. Another great way of going sightseeing in Melbourne is to take the City Circle Tram. It’s free of charge and will tour around the city’s landmarks, like Federation Square, Parliament House and Docklands.
Adelaide
Now let’s have a change of scene and pace by visiting Adelaide. It’s not a minor city by any means, but it has a post-colonial gentility about it that lends a particular charm. Even though it’s the capital of Southern Australia, it still feels like one big country town. Here you’ll start to get more of a taste of domestic Aussie life, although less so than you’ll find in the smaller cities.
A City for Foodies
What makes Adelaide one of the best cities in Australia is its foodie scene. It has a tradition of selling all manner of local produce from the surrounding farms at its vast Central Market, which dates back to 1969. You simply can’t miss out on this if you’re a foodie. You’ll find a smorgasbord of smoked meats, freshly caught fish, artisanal cheeses and the freshest fruit and veg you could wish for.
Green Hills, Vineyards and Kangaroos
Adelaide’s semi-rural setting means that there’s no shortage of walking to be had on its hillsides. It’s also on the coast and has some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. The city is surrounded by a wine-producing region, and day trips for wine tasting are highly recommended. Another very worthwhile experience is to take the roughly 45 minute ferry trip across to Kangaroo Island, where these uniquely Australian animals thrive in their natural habitat.
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland and is one of best cities in Australia, shown by its “Brisvegas” nickname. It’s full of shiny new entertainment venues, creative spaces, musical shows and glitzy hotels. At the same time, it has a strong pull for nature lovers, with many of its most popular tourist attractions centred around the Brisbane River flowing through the city.
Lazy Days Along the Brisbane River
A great way to spend the day in Brisbane is to take a trip on a paddle steamer along the Brisbane River. You can stop off in South Bank, filled with verdant parks where you can walk or picnic. Travel just a bit further and you can visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. There’s nothing more Australian than getting up close to these furry creatures.
Waterway Adventures
If you want something a bit more thrilling and adventurous, Brisbane River will once again oblige. It has a good few natural riverside attractions offering more challenging activities. Go to the Kangaroo Point cliffs if you want to try your hand at abseiling, or take the hike up Story Bridge. There’s even a rollerblading course on a set of floating walkways.
Perth
Perth is perhaps the most remote city in Australia, located on the extreme south-western tip of the country, separated from the rest of the nation by the vast, mostly desert state of Western Australia. That said, it’s an oasis of beaches and parklands, with lots of entertainment and things to see and do, making it another of the best cities in Australia to visit.
Markets Alongside the Beach
Cottesloe Beach is the most popular in Perth, known especially for its pure white sand. Nearby you’ll find the Port of Fremantle, which is one of the most historic harbours in Western Australia. It’s known for its markets that sell all kinds of goods from an imposing Victorian-era warehouse. The Elizabeth Quay development is a major shopping and dining district nearby.
Cultural and Literal Gold
If you’re interested in the ancient cultures of the Australian Aboriginal peoples, go to the Art Gallery of Western Australia. This houses a truly impressive collection of Aboriginal art and artefacts and is one of the country’s treasures. You can also visit the Perth Mint, where you can literally work out the price of your weight in gold. It’s an unexpectedly fun experience.
Canberra
Canberra is often overlooked as a tourist destination, given its proximity to more glamourous Sydney. It’s also the capital of Australia, so it has an undeserved reputation for being a bit administrative and boring. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If we dig a bit deeper, we’ll find that this is another of the best cities in Australia.
Architectural Landmarks
Canberra has some of Australia’s most important architectural landmarks. The most visually impressive is Parliament House, built in colonial style and ringed with palm trees. There’s also the Australian War Memorial, where you can pay your respects to WWI and WWII veterans. The “bridge to bridge” pathway that winds around Lake Burley Griffin will give you a good perspective on the city’s green centre.
Art and Historical Artefacts
Art lovers will really enjoy visiting Canberra, as it’s the home of the National Gallery of Australia. Here you can view over 160,000 artworks, covering centuries of local and international artists. When it comes to souvenirs, you’ll find lots of curios to buy at the Old Bus Depot Markets. And do pay a visit to the National Library, where you can view Captain Cook’s actual logbook from 1770.
Darwin
Darwin has a very different climate to the other Australian cities, by dint of its location in the far north of the country. This is a subtropical area at the top fringe of the otherwise inhospitable Northern Territory – part of the famous Australian Outback. It’s one of the best cities in Australia for equal amounts of indoor and outdoor fun.
One-of-a-kind Natural Encounters
Take an intrepid spirit with you when visiting Darwin so that you can participate in some of the unique activities on offer here. Perhaps the most daunting is swimming with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove. You’ll be safe in a protected cage, so there’s no actual danger involved, but the adrenalin rush is real. This is an experience you’re not likely to forget.
A Distinctively Historic City
Darwin has the dubious distinction of having been the only Australian city to be physically affected by WWII, when it was bombed by the Japanese. This has given it a very special place in Australian history, which you can learn more about at the Darwin Military Museum. The highlight to view there is the Defence of Darwin Experience. There’s also the unique Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory for more historic treasures.
Cairns
If you’ve come to revel in the country’s outdoor and aquatic lifestyle, Cairns is definitely one of the best cities in Australia to visit. It’s an absolute paradise that also offers excellent shopping, dining and nightlife.
Gateway to Australia’s Natural Wonders
Cairns is the closest city on the Australian mainland to the Great Barrier Reef, which makes it one of the most visited cities in the country. From here, you can take one of the numerous boat trips out to the reef. It’s also where you’ll find the famous Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tablelands. It’s an absolute haven for scuba diving, fishing and parasailing, and you can also walk historic Aboriginal trails.
A Variety of Entertainment
Cairns is also known for its markets, pubs and entertainment hot spots. Head to The Reef Hotel Casino for some gambling action, or go to the Pier Boardwalk for great shopping and very good restaurants. The weekly Saturday Esplanade Market is really worth getting to as well. To take a break from all of this, the Cairns Botanic Gardens specialises in unusual blooms.
Newcastle
Newcastle is yet another jewel of a coastal city in New South Wales, just to the north of Sydney. It’s a smaller city, but really worth putting on your itinerary, on account of its great beaches and its many historic landmarks that chart the nation’s modern development.
Coastal Walks and Blissful Beaches
A good way to spend the day in Newcastle is to take a nice long coastal walk along Bathers Way. This will take you from Merewether Beach all the way up the shoreline to Nobbys Beach. Along the way, you’ll walk along most of the other popular beaches in the city. This includes the main Newcastle Beach, where you can stop for refreshments.
Historical Australian Sites
The Bathers Way walk is also a good way to explore Newcastle’s historical side. You shouldn’t miss a stop-off at Bogey Hole, an ocean bath built by some of the original convicts sent to Australia. There’s also Fort Scratchley, which dates back to the 1880s. It’s not only worth visiting for its history – this promontory is a prime whale-spotting site.
Hobart
The capital of Tasmania, Hobart, makes the list of the best cities in Australia thanks to its excellent markets, internationally popular festivals and, in particular, its thriving modern art scene.
Progressive Artistic Expression
Hobart’s art milieu encourages dynamism and pushes the boundaries of expression. There’s ample evidence of this at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). This is a good place to start an artistic tour of the city. Another notable institution is the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Outdoor Markets and Festivals
Keep a weekend in Hobart reserved to sample its two most popular markets. There’s the Salamanca Market, at Constitution Dock on Saturdays, and the Farm Gate Market, on Bathurst Street on Sundays. There are festivals aplenty too. Highlights are the Cygnet Folk Festival in January, which has been going since 1982, the Royal Hobart Show in October and Taste of Tasmania over Christmas.
Best Cities in Australia, Special Mention: The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is unmissable if you’re after the best in sun-soaked Australian glamour. A dispersed urban area rather than strictly a city, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country, among locals and internationally.
Australia’s Holiday Playground
The Gold Coast has it all. During the day you can lounge on the beaches that give it its name, and at night you can party at the clubs in the Surfers Paradise neighbourhood. It’s also known for its magical theme parks, so if you’re on holiday with your kids, take them to Warner Bros. Movie World or Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast. Or visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can feed kangaroos and koalas.
More Ways to Experience Australia
If you want a completely different kind of holiday Down Under, have a look at some ideas for backpacking in Australia and camping in Australia. If you’re visiting the country by yourself, we also have tips for solo travel in Australia.
