What 'liveable' means
Liveability rankings usually score healthcare, education, stability, culture and environment, infrastructure and safety. They are written for residents, not tourists, but several of those qualities make a city a pleasure to visit: easy transport, clean parks, good food and low crime.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's culture capital: laneway street art, coffee, live music and sport. Spend time in the CBD laneways, Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens, then take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley wineries. Trams in the central zone are free.
Sydney
The harbour, Opera House and beaches draw the crowds. Walk across the Harbour Bridge, take the ferry to Manly and follow the Bondi to Coogee coastal path. Book accommodation early for school holidays and major events.
Adelaide
Compact and relaxed, Adelaide sits near the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Kangaroo Island. It has a lively food-and-festival calendar, including the Fringe in February and March.
Perth
Sunny and spacious, Perth has Kings Park, long city beaches and Fremantle's old port. Rottnest Island, with its famously friendly quokkas, is a short ferry ride away.
Brisbane
Warm and relaxed, with a riverside walkway, the South Bank precinct and easy access to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Planning tips
- Distances are huge: plan flights between cities and do not try to see everything.
- Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer.
- Most visitors need an eTA or visa. Check the official Australian Government site before you travel.
- Strong sun: use sunscreen, a hat and water, and swim only between the flags.
Liveability rankings change every year, so treat them as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
