While traveling solo has its own charm, group travel comes with a whole set of benefits that can make your experience even better.
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A Guide to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth
Moving to the opposite side of the world and trying to figure out where to live is an overwhelming decision. Australia has so many great cities to choose from, each with its own unique character and appeal. Whether you’re planning to study, start your career, or simply switch up your lifestyle, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth each offer something unique. Here’s a breakdown of what makes each city special, along with the pros, benefits, and what type of person each city might suit best.
Melbourne: The Cultural Capital
Why Melbourne Is Unique
Melbourne is often hailed as Australia’s cultural capital, and for good reason! This city is a hub for arts, music, fashion, and food, with an awesome street art scene and countless cultural festivals throughout the year. Known for its eclectic vibe, Melbourne is home to a diverse population and a thriving coffee culture that rivals any in the world. The city’s famous laneways are lined with hidden bars, boutique shops, and art galleries, making every hot girl walk fun.
Who Would Love Melbourne?
Melbourne is perfect for creative types, foodies, and anyone who thrives in a city with a vibrant arts and cultural scene. If you enjoy being part of a diverse community and having access to a wide range of entertainment options, including a strong sports culture, Melbourne could be your ideal city. Whether you’re a sports fanatic keen to dive into the AFL scene or someone who loves a good cultural festival, Melbourne has something for everyone.
Pros of Living in Melbourne
Cultural Scene: Melbourne is perfect for anyone who loves the arts, from live music and theater to art galleries and street art.
Cafe Culture: If you’re a coffee lover, Melbourne’s cafe scene is unbeatable. You’ll never buy a bad coffee in Melbourne!
Public Transport: The city has a super reliable public transport system. The city is mapped out really well so it’s easy for tourists to find their way around.
Education: Home to some of Australia’s top universities, Melbourne is ideal for students.
Diverse Neighbourhoods: Each suburb has its own character, offering everything from trendy inner-city living to quieter, family-friendly areas.
Sports Scene: Melbourne is the epicenter of Australian Rules Football (AFL), with passionate fans and a vibrant sports culture. The city hosts the AFL Grand Final, one of the biggest sporting events in Australia, and is home to several AFL teams. If you’re a sports enthusiast, Melbourne’s sports culture, including cricket, soccer, and tennis, will be right up your alley.
Sydney: The Harbour City
Why Sydney Is Unique
Sydney is Australia’s largest city and is world-famous for its stunning harbor, iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and beautiful beaches such as Bondi and Manly. The city offers a mix of fast-paced urban living with easy access to outdoor adventures, making it a dynamic place to live.
Who Would Love Sydney?
Sydney is perfect for ambitious individuals who are looking for career opportunities in a bustling city. It’s also a great fit for beach lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the vibrancy of a big city with a laid-back coastal vibe.
Pros of Living in Sydney
Beautiful Scenery: The city’s natural beauty is unparalleled, with stunning beaches and lush national parks just a short drive from the CBD.
Diverse Dining: Sydney has a great mix of cultures, reflected in its diverse and delicious food scene.
Iconic Landmarks: Living in Sydney means having world-famous sites like the Opera House and Bondi Beach right on your doorstep.
Active Lifestyle: Sydney is ideal for those who love the outdoors, with plenty of opportunities for surfing, hiking, and sailing. It’s no secret that Sydneysiders love to be active and you’ll sure fall into the Run Club culture if you move here!
Brisbane: The Sunshine City
Why Brisbane Is Unique
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is known for its warm climate, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly locals. The city is smaller and less hectic than Sydney and Melbourne, but it still offers plenty of cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a growing food scene. Brisbane’s riverfront is a focal point for social life, with parks, bars, and restaurants offering beautiful views of the city skyline.
Who Would Love Brisbane?
Brisbane is ideal for those looking for a more relaxed lifestyle in a warm climate. It’s a great fit for people starting out their career, students, and anyone who prefers a slower pace without sacrificing city amenities. If you love the outdoors and want to be close to both beaches and natural parks, Brisbane might be your perfect match.
Pros of Living in Brisbane
Affordable Living: Brisbane is more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne, with lower housing costs and a generally lower cost of living.
Warm Climate: Brisbane’s subtropical climate means warm, sunny weather almost all year round.
Proximity to Nature: Brisbane is close to some of Australia’s most famous beaches, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, making weekend getaways easy.
Perth: The Remote Gem
Why Perth Is Unique
Perth is the capital of Western Australia and is known for its isolation, being one of the most remote major cities in the world. Despite its distance from other Australian cities, Perth offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. The city has a booming economy, driven largely by the mining industry, and boasts stunning beaches, a vibrant arts scene, and a relaxed lifestyle. Perth’s location also means it has closer ties to Asia, making it a gateway for international travel.
Who Would Love Perth?
Perth is perfect for those who want to enjoy a high quality of life in a city that’s less crowded and more laid-back. If you’re seeking a city that offers both career opportunities and a strong connection to nature, Perth could be the place for you.
Pros of Living in Perth
Economic Growth: Perth’s strong economy provides plenty of job opportunities, particularly in mining, engineering, and construction.
Beautiful Beaches: Perth has some of the best beaches in Australia, with crystal-clear waters and white sand.
Sunny Weather: Perth enjoys more sunny days than any other Australian capital, perfect for those who love the outdoors.
Less Crowded: Perth is less densely populated than Sydney and Melbourne, offering a more peaceful living environment.
Proximity to Nature:From the Swan Valley wine region to Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, nature is never far away.
So which City Is Right for You?
Choosing the right city to move to in Australia depends on what you’re looking for in your new home. If you’re after a vibrant cultural scene and love a good coffee, Melbourne might be your perfect match. For those seeking iconic landmarks, career opportunities, and beachside living, Sydney could be the way to go. Brisbane offers a more laid-back lifestyle with warm weather and affordability, while Perth combines economic growth with stunning natural beauty and fewer crowds.
No matter which city you choose, Australia promises a unique and enriching experience. Each city has its own charm and strengths, so consider what aligns best with your lifestyle, career goals, and personal interests! Wherever you end up, you’re sure to find a place to call home in Australia’s diverse and welcoming cities!
Why is 2017 the year to travel?
Well the simple answer to this is “because you should travel now, no questions asked”, but that wouldn’t make very good reading now would it!
With it being the new year, yes it is still the beginning of the year, I’d like to think that many peoples resolutions were to travel more. If not to travel more then to be more spontaneous (aka to travel) or maybe to save money (aka to travel with) or perhaps to get out of your comfort zone (aka to travel). Incase you can’t tell I am no.1 supporter of travelling! So there is no time like the present to be thinking about leaving the grey colours of home, get off that sofa and see the world in technicolour.
“But I can’t afford to travel!”
Travel isn’t expensive and the myth that it is needs to piss off now, please. I could be super cringey here and say something like ‘the memories you will make will be priceless’ but I don’t want to take this down that philosophical route. But flights are super cheap at the moment, especially when you think about what you get, I mean those tasty meals and tiny drinks right! 😉 But seriously I read an article recently that said it takes longer to fly anywhere now than 30-40 years ago as airlines have worked out that if they fly a little slower it’ll save them on fuel and therefore be able to keep their costs down making, good news for you and me, the flights cheaper! Yea!
Countries have realised that tourism is an amazing way to get money in and budget travel, especially, is thriving as people want to travel for longer and for as little as possible. Some places we choose to travel to are a long way away from home and to make it worth your time of sitting in that cramped plane for 14 hours you will want to spend a decent amount of time there. Hence why long term budget travel is so popular. Travel has always been a competitive industry so a price can come lower if you’re prepared to do the research and put in the time and effort to find the best price. I cannot stress more though that this should be the best price for what you want. Don’t pay $10 for a hostel room expecting a lovely 6 bed dorm with an ensuite because the reality is that you’ll get a 20 bed dorm full of smelly backpackers who can’t afford to clean their clothes and steal your three-minute noodles as they can’t buy their own.
What can become expensive about travel is when you put it off for too long, because life just kind of passes you by. If you’re saving for that new car or want to get your hair done every week then the idea of travelling is going to be pretty distant and before you know it you’re married with a mortgage, 16 kids on the way and a stubborn house cat in tow. So that idea of travelling you had once ten years ago is gone and isn’t going to be an option till you become one of those super cool 70 year olds reliving their youth!
“Avoid adult life and travel like tomorrow may never come!”
Travel Now!
2017 is right now, so I guess what I’m saying is TRAVEL NOW. 2016 has been and gone, it’s in the past and whether it was a good one or a bad one surely everyone wants their next year to be better! If that means swinging in to the pools of the Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi, Thailand or watching the sun set in Halong Bay, Vietnam it could even be sipping on a cold beer while you sail past the Opera House in Sydney then do it! There’s no time like the present and the world is constantly changing and shaping so while you can see all that you can and do all that you can do, please just, do it! That so called “adult” life is going to hit you like a tonne of bricks when it comes, so in my true mantra: “Avoid adult life and travel like tomorrow may never come!”
Come at us 2017!
Ready for an adventure? Get involved in one of our epic tours in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam & more – perfect for backpackers aged 18-35!
Having just written a blog on why it’s better to travel single, I’ve done a full 360 and thought why not think about the pros for travelling as a couple too! Having experienced both, I know that there are definitely pros to travelling with a partner, not including the obvious reasons like having a shoulder to sleep on during long journeys and having someone to take photos of you! Here are some reasons (in my opinion), it’s better to travel as a couple rather than going it solo:
1. Give your brain a bit of time out
Travelling solo can take quite a bit of organising and self motivation. You have to be on the ball all of the time knowing that if you don’t plan something for yourself to do, it’s not going to happen! You have full responsibility for the places you visit and the things you do during your travels so travelling with a partner can take the pressure off you a bit! Being told what you’re doing for the day can be nice when you’re all planned out. You may also be talked in to doing something you would never have considered before. Too scared to do a skydive but know it’s at the top of your partners bucket list?! Chances are, you’ll be jumping out of that plane before you know it and loving it! Sometimes it’s good to go along with what other people want to do for a while and as long as you also make sure you’re doing what you want to do, you’ll probably end up experiencing more!
2. Your home away from home
Travelling by yourself can get lonely. It’s a strange feeling arriving in a country where nobody knows you and having that someone by your side can bring a lot of comfort, especially if it’s your first proper time away from home. However amazing travelling is, there are highs and lows, and there will probably come a time at some point when you just need a few reassuring words from a familiar face, someone to make you laugh and a shoulder to cry on. Just having someone there will bring you more comfort than you imagined.
If you’re travelling solo and want to meet people when you first get here, why not book onto an arrival package in Sydney, Thailand or Vietnam?
3. It will make you a better person!
Travelling with someone takes patience and compromise. You’ll both be faced with stressful situations at some point during your trip and chances are, you’ll take it out on the person closest to you: each other (we are human after all)! You’ll learn to bite your tongue and realise that most of the time, the petty arguments just aren’t worth it. It’s not like you can just hop in your car and drive to a mates house for a rant after all! You’ll be spending A LOT of time together so you’ll soon figure out how to handle your disagreements as adults (most of the time!)
4. Travelling = the ULTIMATE relationship test
If you can travel with your boyfriend or girlfriend and come out the other side smiling, with a stronger relationship, you’re onto a winner! Not only will you learn things about yourself and figure out how you deal with stressful situations but you’ll also see how your partner reacts and how well you work together to come to solutions. Do you communicate with each other when you’re faced with a sticky situation, do you shut down and ignore each other or do you have a massive shouting match? You’re bound to have a few disagreements along the way but it’s how you deal with them as a couple that will determine how strong your relationship is..and isn’t it better to find out whether you’re a good match sooner rather than later?
5. Two minds are better than one!
Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses so having that extra brain there will be a massive advantage when you’re travelling. At some point during your trip, decisions will have to be made (some not as important as others…beach or rainforest today!?) and 2 minds working together will take the pressure off you a bit. Having an off day? Your partner can take one for the team and take control of your plans for the day! Travelling together allows you to buzz off each other and help each other out when needed.
6. Save money
Having someone there to share some of your travel costs can save you heaps during your travels. You can share the cost of food, accommodation, taxis and other travel such as campervan or car rentals. Also if you’re haggling in SE Asia, you’re more likely to get a better deal if you’re buying two of everything!
7. Safety in numbers
Nowadays travelling is generally safe, even for solo travellers. As long as you’re vigilant, have your wits about you and do your research beforehand, you’ll be able to travel around relatively safely wherever you go. Saying that, having someone there to look out for you is a big comfort and there’s no denying that you’ll be safer travelling with a partner that going travelling alone.
8. Some memories are better shared.
Some of the things you’ll experience travelling are better off shared with someone. Most of the time the photos just don’t do it justice and whilst you’ll always have the memory of that beautiful sunset or that amazing beach party , it’s great having someone there who has experienced it all with you. Once your trip is over you’ll be able to reminisce about your travel memories together.
So there it is…there are arguments for and against travelling solo & with a partner! So which way is better? In my opinion, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to travel. Think about what you want to experience from your travels, figure out what works for you and most importantly of all, go for what makes you happy!
What do you think? Comment below!
Travelling solo? check out our blog to read about the pros to travelling as a single agent!
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