Sydney versus Melbourne: Which is the Best Holiday Destination?
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Sydney and Melbourne are both fantastic cities that have a lot to offer to locals and tourists alike, and both regularly find themselves in the top 10 most liveable cities in the world. So how do you decide which is better? Sydney loves its beaches, restaurants and outdoors life, while Melbourne is quite sophisticated, cool, and a bit more edgy. It’s impossible to say which is better, but there are a few categories where one of the two comes out on top. Here are a few examples.
Beaches
When it comes down to which city has the most beautiful beaches, Sydney wins hands down. There is no comparison, especially when you consider beaches such as Cronulla, Bondi, Dee Why and Palm Beach. While you can go just outside the Melbourne city limits to find some great beaches, it is the fact that Sydney’s beaches are not only accessible but spectacular.
Places to Stay
As far as accommodation goes, neither city is short on first class options. Both cities have a great range of accommodation in terms of style and affordability, but the real differences are in location. Since the main attraction of Melbourne is the downtown core, much of the accommodation is centred there, whether it is an apartment, hotel, hostel or bed and breakfast. In Sydney, the preferred locations for accommodation tend to be spread out more from the city core, giving you the choice to stay downtown, near a beach or in a nearby suburb.
Weather
If it is consistently warm, sunny weather you are after, then Sydney is the right choice for your holidays. Even though Sydney often rivals Melbourne in average annual rainfall, the bulk of the rain generally comes in less frequent torrential downpours. This means more days in Sydney are sunny and beautiful – all the better for enjoying the fantastic beaches.
Cultures
Although both cities are multicultural, Melbourne is often considered to have a better mix of cultures than Sydney. This has helped to create Melbourne’s superior arts, music and culinary scenes, with many talents from different backgrounds coming together. The streets of Melbourne are also where you’ll find the newest fashions, the hippest clubs, the coolest pubs, as well as Australia’s most trendy cafe culture.
Tourist Attractions
Apart from the kangaroo, no other Australian symbol is more internationally recognised than the Sydney Opera House. If you add in the Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney wins simply for having the most major tourist attractions all in the one place. Although Melbourne has a lot to offer the average tourist, most people who are only staying in Australia for a short time prefer Sydney because of its accessibility. Add to this the abundance of beautiful beaches, and there’s no comparison.
Sports
Both cities are keen followers of sport, but it is Melbourne that takes the cake for hosting the most sports, having some of the biggest sporting events, and for having one of the largest sporting facilities – The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In addition, the city of Melbourne also hosts the annual Melbourne Cup, which is unrivalled in national popularity.
