Everybody knows Sydney and Melbourne, but not many can name the other largest cities in Australia. These cities are often overlooked by international travel agencies in the favor of Australia’s larger metro areas.
However, they still have plenty to offer and many of them are large enough for you to stay in for at least a few days.
Table of Contents
The Biggest Cities in Australia
Number
City
Population
1
Sydney
4,231,954
2
Melbourne
3,999,982
3
Brisbane
2,065,996
4
Perth
1,728,867
5
Adelaide
1,262,940
6
Gold Coast
557,822
7
Newcastle
398,770
8
Canberra
391,645
9
Central Coast
297,713
10
Wollongong
268,944
1. Sydney: 4,231,954
Sydney is Australia’s largest and most popular city. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Bridge are its most iconic landmarks. Sydney beaches are also some of the best and easiest destinations to visit when you’re traveling in this city on a budget.
The largest city in Australia has plenty of other attractions, too. Hyde Park, for example, is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to visit when they seek to escape the summer heat.
And the incredible Macquarie Street is one of the most important commissioned streets in the world. It looks as though it has no visible defects as every house, building, and patch of green grass is in top condition.
But if architecture doesn’t inspire you, Sydney’s Kings Cross is a place to spend evenings and nights. It’s certainly the spot for the young-spirited traveler looking to have fun.
Otherwise, families can head over to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, which is the biggest in the country and a great way to spend the day.
2. Melbourne: 3,999,982
Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city with a population of just over 4 million. Many people come to Melbourne on Ocean Road.
This road looks as good if not better than it sounds. It’s simply one of the most spectacular in the country.
Melbourne Museum and the nearby South Melbourne Market are excellent stops for tourists as well. Thousands of tourists stop here every year. But if you like a fancy shopping experience, you can also stop at Queen Victoria Market.
3. Brisbane: 2,065,996
Brisbane is a thriving city in Australia with more than 2 million residents. The best way to see this city and its rising skyline is by booking a boat ride and spending a few hours soaking in the sights.
Afterward, you can hop off at Queen Street Mall to shop in the fresh air without the need to face the crowds at busy indoor malls. In the current pandemic, this is the ideal way to shop while minimizing risks.
The Brisbane Botanical Gardens will also make you forget you are in a metropolis and are some of the best in the country.
4. Perth: 1,728,867
If you’re traveling to Western Australia, the city of Perth and its 1.8 residents is one of the first places you should visit.
Beaches, zoos, and art galleries are found here easily, so you don’t need to take an airplane to Eastern Australia to learn more about the country’s history.
Kings Park is a top destination for locals who want to hang out here, and as long as you’re in Australia, you’ll want to enjoy the sun and the beaches for as long as possible.
Most locals recommend traveling to the nearby Port Beach and City Beach for the best sand and sun experience.
5. Adelaide: 1,262,940
Adelaide is Australia’s 5th largest city and chock full of excellent attractions.
The Adelaide Botanical Gardens, for example, are some of the best in the world. They are well-kept and provide an opportunity for visitors to see incredible plants from all over the globe.
If visiting Adelaide, you should also make a stop at the Art Gallery of South Australia and enjoy some of the unique pieces of art housed there.
6. Gold Coast: 557,822
Gold Coast encompasses an area with more than half a million people and is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. You can check out the local surfing scene here by heading to Surfer’s Paradise.
Coolangatta Beach is a great alternative in the region if you don’t like to share your beach with thousands of other people. You can also visit Sea World and the Warner Bros Movie World for a day full of family-friendly fun.
7. Newcastle: 398,770
Newcastle is a thriving community with plenty of coffee shops and restaurants. If you’re a connoisseur, stop by Darby Street to sample some of the best coffee the country has to offer.
Australia’s 8th largest city is also close to Hunter Valley. This is where you’ll see some of the most impressive wineries in the country that send wine all over the world.
8. Canberra: 391,645
Canberra is one of Australia’s largest cities and is also the capital of the country. Many would have expected the capital to be Sydney or Melbourne, but this city is the perfect compromise between the two as it sits right between them.
You can visit Canberra if you’re interested in making the most of visiting official government buildings. This means you can check out the New Parliament House or the Museum of Australian Democracy here.
You can also visit the country’s National Museum to learn more about Australia through its well-kept exhibits.
9. Central Coast: 297,713
The Central Coast peri-urban area of Australia comprises multiple small municipalities that make up more than 300,000 thousand residents. It is one of the urban regions with the best natural attractions in the country.
Beaches here are some of the best in the world. Reptile parks and bushwalks are also found here in large numbers. It also offers tourists the opportunity to visit Australia Walkabout, Wildlife Park.
10. Wollongong: 268,944
Wollongong is one of the few known cities in Australia. It has a special place in the hearts of Australian drivers and is the home of the Grand Pacific Drive.
This scenic road allows you to enjoy views of the ocean on one side while admiring the high rocky peaks on the other side. The Wollongong Lighthouse and Harbor is another excellent attraction that draws visitors to the area.
