The best places to live in Australia
Moving to Australia but not sure where to live? Take a tour of the country's capital cities and find out what each has to offer.
Moving to Australia and trying to pick what city to settle in? Whether you're after somewhere with a great art scene, lush beaches, or affordable housing - Australia's cities offer something for everyone. We've put together this guide on each of our main cities to help you find the perfect city.
Living in Sydney
From the sands of Bondi Beach to its iconic harbour, Sydney is famous all over the world. It is Australia's largest and oldest city, and is known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. It combines the hectic pace you’d expect from a major city with some of the most recognisable landmarks on earth.
Sydney enjoys a temperate climate, the warmest months being from November to February, when temperatures often reach the mid-30s (Celsius) or sometimes higher. Winters are mild, the thermometer rarely falling below 8°C at night.
Living in Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is Australia’s second-largest city. The city's centre branches out from the banks of the Yarra River. It is often referred to as the country's cultural and sporting capital, and is also home to some of Australia’s best dining and nightlife venues. Little wonder The Economist magazine regularly names Melbourne as one of the most livable cities in the world.
When it comes to weather, Melbourne is renowned for having "four seasons in one day". It does have four definite season changes, but conditions can often change unexpectedly within a single day. As it is further south than Sydney, winter daytime temperatures are lower.
Living in Brisbane
Brisbane's weather is what attracts many migrants to Australia’s third-largest city. Temperatures are warmer than in Sydney and Melbourne as it sits in the subtropics, and consecutive days of sunshine are more reliable.
Although Brisbane is a major urban hub, it has a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. It's also within easy distance of summer holiday spots like the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Living in Hobart
From its relaxed country atmosphere to beautiful country surrounds, Tasmania's capital city has plenty to offer. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Sydney or Melbourne, Hobart moves at a much slower pace. However, it is culturally rich and a food lover's paradise.
Being Australia's southernmost capital city, Hobart has the coldest temperatures of all the capital cities, getting down to as low as 4ºC during winter. Summers are pleasantly warm and can climb into the high 20s (Celsius).
Living in Adelaide
Known for its Mediterranean climate, and with a population of around 1.3 million, Adelaide is becoming an increasingly popular place to live for new arrivals to the country. The capital of South Australia, Adelaide combines a relaxed lifestyle, affordable house prices and enviable weather conditions. The weather is generally very pleasant, only dropping to around 7ºC at night during winter, while averaging in the high 20s (Celsius) during summer.
Living in Canberra
It’s a common misconception that Sydney, being the largest city in Australia, is also its capital. In fact the nation's capital, Canberra, is one of its smallest cities with a population of just over 373,000. It is part of a federal district known as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Being the home of Australia's parliament, it has a continual influx of workers as well as visitors. Canberra has a dry climate and experiences temperatures as low as freezing in winter and averages in the high 20s (Celsius) at the height of summer.
Living in Darwin
Thanks to its tropical location, Darwin has a laid-back and relaxed environment. It is surrounded by world-class natural scenery, has a buzzing nightlife and enjoys warm weather all year round. There is a tropical weather pattern of dry and wet seasons. The dry occurs between April and October and is the more pleasant of the two, with clear skies and balmy nights. During the wet season there are many storms and little reprieve from the average temperature of around 30ºC.
Living in Perth
Last but certainly not least on this guide to Australia’s capital cities is Perth. Featuring a wonderful climate and relaxed beachy lifestyle, it’s definitely worth considering when looking for somewhere to live. It has a population of around 1.25 million, and although it is the most isolated capital city in the world, it has just as much to offer as its long-distance neighbours. Another consistently warm city, Perth temperatures never drop too low, peaking above 30ºC during summer and dipping to around 18ºC in winter.
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Ask an Expert
Hi,
We are from Philippines and my wife is having difficulties in choosing a place to take up Master of Social Work in Australia. We are thinking of JCU in Townsville, UNISA in Adelaide and lastly UNE in Armidale. Can u help decide base on weather, low crime rate, inexpensive cost of living and a place which offers more job opportunities especially for me as a supporting spouse.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your inquiry. It’s nice to know that your wife is looking to take up her Masteral Degree in Social Work in Australia. While we review the best places to live in Australia, we are not in the position to recommend the best option for you. Ideally, a university that is will fit the budget while maximising what she can learn is best. Also, take into consideration the daily costs aside from the university. It’s helpful to know that ACT is one good option because the employment rate is high.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your wife!
Cheers,
Nikki
Hi,
Would like to relocate to Australia but currently do not know which is the best to live in. I have been working in the financial industry for the last 6 years.
Hi Lily,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Choosing the place to live in in a certain country depends on various factors and what you’re looking for in a place to dwell. If you’re looking for a state in Australia where employment rate is high, ACT as of the moment is good state to consider.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am an engineer with the age of 55 and single. Which place is good for me to start a basic living in Australia?
Hi Vivek,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Adelaide is generally considered one of Australia’s most affordable cities as well as Perth. I’m afraid that we’re unable to recommend a certain town or area for you based on your age and status. Also, choosing a place to live in ultimately depends on your financial situation and preferences. It would be a good idea to do further research on states/suburbs that you may fit in and live comfortably.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Hi there!
I wish to migrate to Australia from Nigeria. My husband and I are young professionals. News around town is migration to Australia is about the hardest thing. Please What is the easiest way to migrate to Australia and what is the easiest city for a young couple having a fresh start?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You’re actually already on the correct page where you can get helpful information on living and work in Australia. Furthermore, you may find our moving to Australia guide helpful.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Bella
I am a young girl aspiring to take fine arts as a career. Is Australia a good place for artists and their work? Do artists fine enough opportunities and a market to sell or a crowd to publicize their work? If so then what is the most suitable location to settle in Australia?
Hi Minnati,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
Australia is a great place for a wide range of performing art groups, dance troupes, musicians, theatre performers, and painters. Generally speaking, Australia is a good place for artists and their work. However, this would still depend on the level of interest of people within an area. There are also different opportunities for artists to hone their skills in Australia since there are a number of arts colleges in the country.
When it regards where you should settle, I can’t tell you directly. There are different factors that might come into place when deciding where you should stay. I would highly recommend that you get in touch with the Department of Communications and the Arts. They should be able to give you a more personalised answer.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua