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The Aussie country is the sixth largest country in the world, and it shows. With more than 7.5 million square kilometers, Australia is home to paradisiacal beaches, deserts, tropical forests and vast flora and fauna. Of course, that means that the cities of Australia have thousands of things to offer and, for every taste.
Australia is the third country with the lowest population density in the world, barely 3.3 inhabitants per square kilometer. In part, this explains its relaxed lifestyle and that it has received the title of one of the countries with the best quality of life on numerous occasions, awarded by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
If you plan to live in Australia, it may be difficult for you to choose between its cities. But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will tell you the characteristics and advantages of each of the most important Australian cities. Make your list!
Major cities in Australia
According to the number of inhabitants, the most important cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. They are all coastal cities and, together, they account for more than half of Australia’s total population.
Each one has its particular charm, as well as advantages and particular characteristics to live in them. Let’s see each one in detail!
Sydney | Australia’s multicultural city
Population: 5,312,163 inhabitants.
Climate: Mediterranean.
Lifestyle: Young and dynamic.
Geographical location: Southeast, on the New South Wales coast.
Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and with the highest quality of life. Perhaps for this reason, it manages to attract a large part of the Australian population. It is a dynamic city with a wide job offer, which makes it a land of opportunities, both professionally and personally.
This Australian city offers a wide cultural variety, which combines the urban environment with beautiful beaches, as well as contact with nature and nightlife, is one of its greatest attractions. In addition, its climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean coasts, so its days are sunny and its rainfall is punctual, distributed evenly throughout the year.
Thanks to this mild climate, its inhabitants tend to enjoy activities outdoors : as practicing surf and swim in its famous beaches. In addition, there are many tourist attractions to see in Sydney.
For example, on a normal day you can visit an architectural landmark such as the Sydney Opera House, even one of the most beautiful ports in the world such as Sydney Harbor, or famous beaches such as Bondi Beach, a meeting point for surfers and an atmosphere. partying.
Melbourne | Australia’s most European city
Population: 5,078,193 inhabitants.
Climate: Highly unstable.
Lifestyle: Cultural and sporty.
Geographical location: Southeastern coast of Australia.
Of all the cities in Australia, Melbourne is the most European. Its high quality of life has earned it to be recognized as the best city in the world to live in for several consecutive years. Its inhabitants enjoy numerous job opportunities and high salaries.
Melbourne has also been recognized as the capital of sport and culture, standing out above all for its music and urban art, as well as for its neighborhoods full of charming restaurants and cafes. It has an extensive network of trams, something as characteristic of this city as the gardens and parks.
In addition, near the center is the Great Ocean Road, one of the most spectacular routes in the world. Melbourne’s weak point is found in its unstable climate, which has very low temperatures in winter and suffocating heat in summer.
In fact, its climate is so variable and unexpected that Australians themselves often joke about it: “If someone doesn’t like our climate, they should only wait 10 minutes for it to change!” Like Sydney, Melbourne is also a highly sought-after city for foreign students.
With a wide range of courses and a very high quality of life, Melbourne is a very tempting city to study, live and work.
Brisbane | The capital of Queensland and most chill Australian city
Population: 2,514,184.
Climate: Temperate and stable.
Lifestyle: Relaxed but very social.
Geographical location: South of the state of Queensland.
Brisbane is the third of the main cities in Australia, and also the capital of the state of Queensland. With a relaxed but very social lifestyle, it is common for its people to find themselves strolling the streets, having barbecues in city parks, organizing events or occupying the bars and cafes.
Brisbane has seen remarkable growth in recent times. For this reason, it has become an option that is increasingly requested by international students who choose to live in Australia. This is partly explained by lower living costs than in Sydney or Melbourne.
Brisbane is one of the main cities in Australia with the best climate. Its temperatures remain warm throughout the year. It fluctuates between 28ºC and 32ºC in summer, while in winter it oscillates between 18ºC and 23ºC. On the other hand, one of the negative aspects (practically, the only one) is that it does not have a beach in the same city.
Perth | Australia’s city with the best sunsets
Population: 2,085,973 inhabitants.
Climate: Mediterranean.
Lifestyle: Quiet.
Geographical location: West coast.
Perth is a beautiful corner of the world, where you can find the best sunsets in all of Oceania. Away from the rest of the big cities of Australia and excessive tourism, Perth is a very quiet Australian city that maintains the essence of its origins.
Its leisure offer is very wide, it includes options as varied as practicing kite surfing or wind surfing on its beaches, strolling along the banks of the Swan River or through one of the largest urban parks in the world, Kings Park. Its Mediterranean climate contributes to all this, reaching an average temperature in summer of 31ºC, while in winter it is 18ºC.
With its high wages and moderate cost of living, Perth has shown economic and cultural growth in recent years. For this reason, it has received numerous travelers who come attracted by its job offers according to all types of English levels.
Adelaide | One of the cheapest Australian cities
Population: 1,359,760 inhabitants.
Climate: Mediterranean and dry.
Lifestyle: Relaxed and educational.
Geographical location: State of South Australia.
Adelaide’s cost of living is 20% cheaper than other major Australian cities such as Sydney or Melbourne. Despite this, it has been considered the fifth best city in the world to live in for several years. In addition, it has an excellent reputation when it comes to academics.
International students are also attracted by their job options; especially in the tourism, telecommunications and mining sectors. Also, its many leisure possibilities are remarkable: playing volleyball on the beach in the heart of the city, fashionable neighborhoods, markets and festivals.
Finally, it should be noted that despite the fact that the climate is temperate, perhaps its temperatures (a maximum of 30ºC in summer and a minimum of 7ºC in winter) are lower than expected. Of course, it is the driest of the Australian capitals, so the rains will never be a concern.
Gold Coast | Australia’s best city for surfing
Population: 699,226 inhabitants.
Climate: Subtropical.
Lifestyle: Surfer and nocturnal.
Geographical location: Queensland.
For its part, Gold Coast is a small city, although its high summer tourism means a high volume of work in the hospitality sector. Its 57 kilometers of white sand beaches and perfect waves combined with skyscrapers, theme parks and an active nightlife, has earned it the nickname of “the Miami” of Australia.
Being a tourist city in Australia, you can find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, hotels and shopping centers. It is the preferred destination for all students who want to combine their studies and work with surfing.
However, this overcrowding can become an inconvenience if what you are looking for is tranquility.
Finally, the climate of Gold Coast is subtropical, so the summers are hot and humid, while winters are mild and dry, characteristics that still attract more travelers willing to enjoy the maximum in an Australian city that it is among the most expensive.
There are many things to do and places to see on the Gold Coast. And, also, many course options to grow professionally.
Byron Bay | The beautiful little Australian town
Population: 9,720 inhabitants.
Climate: Humid subtropical.
Lifestyle: Surfer and chic.
Geographical location: New South Wales.
Finally, Byron Bay is a small town in Australia that, despite having just under 10,000 inhabitants, attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. The fantastic beaches in the area make Byron Bay a truly attractive destination for lovers of surfing, diving and other water sports.
In addition, the possibility of seeing whales on its shores has contributed to it becoming one of the best-known cities in Australia. If you are thinking of living in Byron Bay, you will like to know that its style and rhythm of life is very characteristic. It is considered a bohemian and cool Australian city, with a very relaxed and even a little hippie atmosphere.
Another very interesting point about Byron Bay is that its climate is very good all year round. Summers are hot and winters are mild, so you will not need to bring coats and you will be able to live a lot of life outside the home!
Despite the size of Byron Bay, we are sure you will not get bored. A multitude of music festivals, street markets, gastronomic fairs and many other types of events are organized.
Of course, you must bear in mind that Byron Bay is so sought after that it is not easy to find accommodation. One more challenge! Are you willing to live it?
Deciding to live in one or another of the main cities in Australia will largely determine your experience. Therefore, it is important that you make sure to choose the one that best suits your needs and interests. If you decide to study and work in any of them, we have excellent proposals for you!