What’s the nicest city in Australia? It’s a question we’ve been asked for years, and our answer hasn’t changed: Sydney remains our favourite city in the country. But honestly, that’s almost unfair to the rest, because a handful of other cities come very close these days. Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin all score high with us, each for completely different reasons.
We’ve now travelled through every major city in Australia (and actually lived in two of them: first Darwin, then Sydney), so by now we feel confident sharing a strong opinion. In this guide, we’ll take you through our favourite cities in Australia, explain why each one is worth visiting, cover the practical upsides (think climate and public transport), and share the personal tips we’ve already given in our individual city guides. That way you can decide for yourself which city fits your trip best.
Our favourite Australian cities compared
| City | Our ranking | Climate | Public transport | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | #1 – Favourite | Mild, temperate | Excellent (train, tram, bus, ferry) | Iconic landmarks, beach + city, nature nearby |
| Perth | #2 | Sunny and dry (summer) | Good in the city, car recommended for day trips | Relaxation, beaches, day trips, easy-going vibe |
| Darwin | #3 | Tropical (dry & wet season) | Limited, a car is recommended | Authentic Australia, nature, less touristy |
| Brisbane | #4 | Subtropical, sunny | Good (train, bus, free ferry) | River city, free city beach, spontaneous exploring |
| Adelaide | #5 | Plenty of sunshine, but temperature swings | Free tram and bus in the CBD | Compact city break, food, museums, festivals |
As you can see, Sydney sits firmly at #1 for us, while the other four essentially share second place. Which of these four suits you best mostly comes down to what you’re looking for. Below, we go into detail on each city.
1. Sydney: our favourite
We moved from Darwin to Sydney in 2023, so we’ve become locals here ourselves. And honestly, nobody needs to convince us anymore: even after years of living here, Sydney still manages to surprise us. The combination of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, buzzing neighbourhoods, world-famous beaches, and stunning nature just a stone’s throw away means Sydney simply ticks every box for us.
Why Sydney?
Sydney has the scale and allure of a true global city, and because of the green parks and the harbour, it does not feel overwhelming. You can go in any direction for culture, beach, nature, food, or nightlife, and you do not have to travel far to switch from one to the next; the public transport here is fantastic.
Highlights of Sydney
- Public transport is brilliantly organised: trains (running every ten minutes), trams, buses and ferries. You can simply tap in and out with your credit card, or buy an Opal card to keep better track of costs. And you’ll never pay more than $50 a week.
- Beaches within easy reach: from the popular Bondi to the quieter Northern Beaches, all just a short drive or bus ride away.
- Plenty of green space right in the city centre: the Royal Botanic Garden and Hyde Park give you a breather from the buzz whenever you need it.
- A city built for events: think Vivid Sydney, Sydney Mardi Gras, and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show, which is one of the biggest and most spectacular in the world.
Our personal tips for Sydney
- Walk from Taronga Zoo to Mosman Bay: one of Sydney’s absolute highlights for us, with the best skyline views and idyllic little beaches along the way.
- Dine with a view of the Harbour Bridge at the Harbour View Hotel in The Rocks, or go for a 360-degree view at the revolving O Bar and Dining on the 47th floor of Australia Square.
- Discover trendy Potts Point and Kings Cross, and grab a drink like we did at the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel overlooking Finger Wharf.
- Go on a food adventure through alternative Newtown, or do a food safari in the Asian food hub of Burwood Chinatown.
- Book a private wine tasting in The Rocks, sampling wines from the world-famous Barossa region.
- For less touristy beaches: surf at Maroubra Beach, or find some peace at Clovelly and the Northern Beaches (Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why).
Good to know about Sydney
Plan for at least 3 to 4 days for the main highlights, but 5 to 7 days is ideal if you also want time for walks and a day trip to the Blue Mountains. From Sydney Airport, the Airport Link train gets you into the city centre in about 15 minutes.
- 👉 Read our full guide: best things to do in Sydney
- 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Sydney
- 🎟️ Discover tours and activities in Sydney
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Sydney
2. Perth: the sunny, laid-back surprise of Western Australia
Perth is often called the pearl of Western Australia, and some even call it the most beautiful city in Australia. We fell for it too, right from the start. We felt at home from the very first moment. The city has a relaxed charm, is surprisingly clean, and has so many beautiful spots, all while the pace feels a lot more laid-back than Sydney.
Why Perth?
Perth combines a lively, photogenic city centre with beautiful beaches right on its doorstep, and it’s the perfect base for exploring nature, wine regions and islands nearby. It’s the city many travellers choose when they’re after a bit more calm than Sydney or Melbourne can offer.
Highlights of Perth
- Sunny, relaxed climate: especially during spring (Sep-Nov) and autumn (Mar-May), temperatures sit at a lovely 20-30°C.
- Extremely clean and easy to navigate: thanks to its wide streets and big open squares, Perth never feels chaotic.
- Beaches within walking distance: Cottesloe and Scarborough are known for their white sand and spectacular sunsets.
- The perfect base: Rottnest Island, Fremantle and the wine regions are all a short trip from Perth.
Our personal tips for Perth
- Walk through London Court, an atmospheric Tudor Revival-style lane from 1937 that feels like stepping into Europe, especially beautiful when lit up at night.
- Visit Elizabeth Quay and grab a beer with a view at The Reveley, overlooking the skyline.
- Eat in Northbridge: we loved Brika (Greek), Angel Falls Grill (Venezuelan) and La Cholita (Mexican); booking ahead is recommended.
- Take a walk up to Kings Park & Botanic Garden, about a 20-minute walk from the centre, with a fantastic view over the city and the Swan River.
- Take the 30-minute train to Fremantle, the port city with maritime history and Victorian architecture, a highlight of any Perth visit.
- Catch the ferry to Rottnest Island for a day of cycling and meeting the quokkas.
- Visiting in November? Don’t miss the Christmas Lights Trail, which is decorated as well as any we’ve seen in Australia around Christmas.
Good to know about Perth
Two to three days is enough for Perth itself, but if you also want to explore the surrounding area, plan for 5 to 7 days. Within the city centre, public transport and taxis work well, but as soon as you head toward the beaches, wine regions or coast, a rental car is pretty much essential.
- 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Perth
- 🎟️ Discover tours and activities in Perth
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Perth
3. Darwin: the most authentic side of Australia
Darwin holds a special place in our hearts because we lived there for four wonderful years. Travellers doing an Australia road trip often stick to the well-known cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, where hostels are packed with backpackers. If you want to escape mass tourism and discover the authentic side of Australia, Darwin is the one place we urge you to visit. This city has a beautiful coastline and a laid-back feeling you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
Why Darwin?
Darwin is Australia’s most northern and most tropical major city, and the perfect base for Kakadu and Litchfield National Park. The city itself is small-scale, relaxed, and offers a unique mix of Aboriginal culture, tropical nature and a warm local vibe. There’s also plenty to discover food-wise; the city is home to a wide range of world cuisines, and you can eat exceptionally well here.
Highlights of Darwin
Less touristy: this makes Darwin feel more authentic and calmer than the big east coast cities.
Tropical climate: especially during the dry season (May-October), it’s gloriously sunny and stable.
Base for world-class nature: Kakadu and Litchfield National Park are both within driving distance.
Lively markets and events: like the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
Our personal tips for Darwin
- Head to the Deckchair Cinema at Darwin Harbour during dry season to watch a film from a deck chair as the sun sets and the stars come out. We consider this one of the most romantic evenings you can have in Australia.
- Visit the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, a buzzing night market home to one of the most beautiful sunsets in Australia.
- We love walking along the coast at Dripstone Cliffs and Casuarina Beach in the evening, or at East Point and Fannie Bay, where you’ll barely run into other people but will spot plenty of wildlife.
- Check out the peaceful Jingili Water Gardens, with lily ponds and walking trails. This spot rarely makes the lists, but we love it.
- You can step into the Cage of Death, a glass cage lowered into a crocodile enclosure. You can also simply hold a baby crocodile.
- Book a Wetland Cruise on the Mary River. This is one of the best tours we’ve ever done, packed with nature and wildlife.
- For culture, head to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory at Fannie Bay.
Good to know about Darwin
Plan for around 2 to 3 days for the city itself. The best time to visit is the dry season (May-October), since the wet season can bring heavy rain (though the thunderstorms are quite the spectacle in their own right). A rental car is recommended once you want to look beyond the city centre, especially for trips to Kakadu and Litchfield.
- 👉 Read our full guide: best things to do in Darwin
- 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Darwin
- 🎟️ Discover tours and activities in Darwin
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Darwin
Brisbane: the city where you shouldn’t over-plan
Brisbane is a city we keep coming back to, and it manages to surprise us every single time. We were so enthusiastic about it that we ended up moving here ourselves. This sunny destination in Queensland, the “Sunshine State,” is a city where you don’t need to plan everything to the minute. Spontaneous exploring is how you experience the Brisbane feeling.
Why Brisbane?
Brisbane has cosy pubs with live music and upscale dining with river views, all connected by the Brisbane River running through it. The city is a base for exploring Queensland, from Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Highlights of Brisbane
- A free city beach: Streets Beach at South Bank is a big swimming pool right along the river and a way to cool off on a hot day.
- Free ferry: as a tourist, you can ride across the river for free and admire the city from the water.
- Sunny subtropical climate, fitting for a city nicknamed the Sunshine State.
- Great home base: from the Glass House Mountains to Moreton Island, everything is easily reachable.
Our personal tips for Brisbane
- Spend an evening in South Bank, where the choice of restaurants and bars has grown massively in recent years. Southbank Beer Garden and Southbeach are among our favourites.
- Go for live music and one of the best chicken parmigianas in Australia at Irish Murphy’s, an Irish pub in Brisbane.
- Dine at Bakery Lane and try the Korean food at Nom Nom Korean Eatery, just like we did.
- Enjoy the free view from the new Sky Deck at Queen’s Wharf, glass floor included, 100 metres up.
- Take a walk through the Brisbane Botanic Gardens or Roma Street Parklands, and keep an eye out for lizards and occasionally a snake.
- Take a day trip to Moreton Island to snorkel among around 15 shipwrecks teeming with coral and more than 100 fish species.
- If it is a rainy day, take shelter at the Treasury Casino, which is also photogenic from the outside.
Good to know about Brisbane
Brisbane works well as a 2 to 4 day stopover on an east coast road trip, but in our opinion, it definitely deserves a longer stay too.
- 👉 Read our full guide: best things to do in Brisbane
- 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Brisbane
- 🎟️ Discover tours and activities in Brisbane
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Brisbane
Adelaide: Australia’s hidden gem
Adelaide is, in our view, Australia’s true hidden gem, and it deserves a lot more attention than it currently gets. With around 1.4 million residents, this city is a lot smaller and easier to navigate than Sydney or Melbourne, yet it holds its own on food, culture and festivals.
Why Adelaide?
Adelaide is a fantastic city for museum lovers, foodies, festival-goers and beach lovers alike, all packed into one compact centre. From the CBD, you’re also just a short trip from the coast or the Adelaide Hills.
Highlights of Adelaide
- Free public transport in the city centre: both the tram and the Free City Connector buses are completely free within Adelaide’s CBD.
- Plenty of sunshine: Adelaide is known for its pleasant climate.
- Compact and easy to navigate: ideal if you don’t want to get lost in a huge city but still want to see it all.
- Festival city: including the Adelaide Fringe Festival, one of the largest fringe festivals in the world.
Our personal tips for Adelaide
- Wander through Adelaide Central Market, visited daily by thousands of locals and tourists. It is also a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
- Snap a photo at the Adelaide Arcade, with its striking yellow facade, and pop into the traditional Australian family business Haigh’s Chocolates.
- Unwind in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, home to the impressive Palm House filled with tropical plants.
- Stop by Café Brunelli for a great breakfast (we’d give the Eggs Benedict a solid 9.5) or Umai Kitchen for excellent Japanese food, just like we did.
- Visit the Adelaide Fringe Festival during February/March like we did, with The Garden of Unearthly Delights as an absolute must.
- Take the tram to the seaside town of Glenelg (about 40 minutes from Adelaide CBD) for a lovely beach vibe, a Ferris wheel, and charming streets full of shops and restaurants.
Good to know about Adelaide
Adelaide is easy to reach with a short two-hour flight from Sydney. Because the city is so compact, you can see a lot in 2 to 4 days without ever having to pay for public transport in the centre.
- 👉 Read our full guide: best things to do in Adelaide
- 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Adelaide
- 🎟️ Discover tours and activities in Adelaide
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Adelaide
Melbourne and Cairns
Our top 5 above are our personal favourites, but that doesn’t mean the rest of Australia has nothing to offer. Two cities we didn’t want to leave unmentioned:
Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and an absolute must for coffee and art lovers. Think colourful laneways full of street art (Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane), the Queen Victoria Market, and the Royal Botanic Gardens along the Yarra River. It’s also a great base for the Great Ocean Road. Read our full guide: things to do in Melbourne
Cairns falls a bit outside the comparison, since it’s more of a tropical gateway than a big city, but we included it. From Cairns, you’re right by the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest rainforest on earth, and the city itself has the free Esplanade Lagoon, which is a lovely spot to cool off. Read our full guide: Cairns sights
Planning an Australian city trip?
Whether you’re going for Sydney, or want to combine Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane or Darwin into a road trip: these are the travel resources we personally use when planning, booking and preparing our trips.
- 🚐 Rent a campervan to compare campers and find the best deal
- 🏨 Book the best hotels at the best price
- 🚗 Compare rental cars in Australia
- 🎟️ Book tours and activities
Already have a favourite of your own? What do you think is the nicest city in Australia? Let us know, and happy planning for your next Australian city trip!
