Most individuals partaking within the Sydney vs Melbourne debate should not overseas vacationers to Australia, however Aussies themselves. Though the rivalry may be pleasant or not, relying on who you ask, most with any stake in it are both Melburnians or Sydneysiders.
As a journey blogger and longtime fan of Australia, I deliver a barely totally different perspective to this situation. I take a look at the cities not as locations to dwell, however locations to go to. Which metropolis appeals most to individuals who gained’t have lengthy there, and who might need solely probability of their life to get to comprehend it?
I gained’t spoil something simply but relating to my opinion on this matter, aside from to start out with a twist. My present emotions RE: Sydney and Melbourne are inverted from what I assumed after I first visited each cities greater than 10 years in the past!
How I Got here to Know Australia’s Cities
When you had requested me 10 years in the past whether or not I most popular Sydney or Melbourne, I might’ve answered the latter with out query. I spent every week in every on my first journey to Australia; whereas I had beloved Sydney’s seashores and iconic websites, one thing concerning the sprawling metropolis had left me a lot colder than the balmy air. Fashionable Melbourne, alternatively, was exactly the type of place I craved after I was youthful.
Subsequent journeys have made me understand that simply as Sydney is far more than its fairly face, Melbourne’s coolness is extra superficial than I initially thought. Many features of Sydney I’d written off for being too apparent or too good to be true had been really exactly what I wanted in a metropolis as I approached center age. Conversely, the older I get, the much less I really feel that Melbourne fits me (and vice-versa).
Methods to Evaluate Sydney and Melbourne
Cityscape
Sydney is among the most stunning cities on this planet, bar-none. If the CDB, Opera Home and Harbour Bridge organized round Sydney Harbour don’t do it for you, the proximity of a number of the world’s finest city seashores will. Whereas Melbourne’s skyscrapers are spectacular (particularly when seen from the Shrine of Remembrance) and lower-rise neighborhoods are colourful and eclectic, they merely aren’t as impactful as Sydney’s when taken collectively.
Transport
The primary time I visited each cities, I initially felt that this facet of Melbourne vs Sydney was a transparent win for Melbourne and its trams. Whereas I nonetheless really feel these are a particularly handy method to get round, I really feel like Sydney’s underneath and concrete rail networks (in addition to its personal tram system) very a lot get the job executed, even when walks from stations are generally longer or hillier.
Lodges and hospitality
I’ll begin by saying that I don’t usually journey in Australia for its eating or nightlife; the standard of meals and ambiance are typically good, however regardless of how a lot cash I make, they at all times appear excessively priced. For motels, I’d say these cities are a draw. In Sydney, massive field motels like Pullman Grand Quay Sydney Harbour and Park Hyatt Sydney supply gorgeous views to those that pay, whereas I are inclined to favor boutique-style lodging like The Quest St. Kilda and The Cullen (and even Airbnbs) in Melbourne.
Pure environment
For me, this isn’t even a query of Melbourne or Sydney—Sydney is the winner all the best way. The Yarra River is sweet, in fact, however there’s simply nothing in Melbourne akin to look again throughout the water to the Sydney CBD from Watson’s Bay, or with the ability to swim at gorgeous Bondi Seaside through the day, solely to have drinks the The Opera Bar in time for sundown.
Day journeys and excursions
That is one space the place I’d positively give Melbourne the nod. Whereas Sydney mainly has solely The Blue Mountains as a sensible day journey, Melbourne has many extra choices. Many vacationers will spend a day or longer on The Nice Ocean Highway, however it’s not the one recreation on the town. My private favourite of the others is Phillip Island, value visiting (amongst different causes) for a penguin inhabitants, though you can even go to varied wineries in Victoria (the state to which Melbourne belongs) as day excursions.
Each of Australia’s massive cities are fabulous locations, and are completely value a go to when you’ve got time in your itinerary. I really consider Melbourne and Sydney as good foils to 1 one other, particularly in case you can time your journey good. For instance, in case you land in Sydney and depart Australia from Melbourne, your journey experiences between the 2 cities actually heightens their contrasts.
There’s additionally the aspect on when in your life you go to Sydney or Melbourne. As I defined earlier on this piece, the youthful me vastly most popular Melbourne; growing old made me extra weak to Sydney’s charms. These cities are each important locations and are legendary in their very own proper, however enchantment to several types of individuals, and symbolize various things therein.
Different FAQ About Sydney and Melbourne
Is Sydney higher than Melbourne?
Sydney has higher climate than Melbourne, and is a greater vacation spot for individuals who need to mix seaside and outside time with metropolis sightseeing, eating and nightlife, and who don’t thoughts strolling a well-trodden vacationer path. Melbourne, in the meantime, is all about its neighborhoods: When you aren’t enthusiastic about digging deep into their tradition or delicacies, you may not take pleasure in this metropolis as a lot.
What’s the major distinction between Melbourne and Sydney?
Superficially, the primary distinction between Melbourne and Sydney is that Sydney is hotter and sunnier for far more of the time than Melbourne, which is commonly chilly and/or wet. Past that, I’d say that Sydney feels extra cosmopolitan and worldwide. Melbourne embodies each these qualities too, however I’d say greater than that it’s eclectic and even different, albeit not essentially in a method that at all times appears common or world.
Why is Melbourne so significantly better than Sydney?
Individuals who favor Melbourne usually complain that Sydney’s points of interest are too mainstream, that its eating and nightlife are too tame and abnormal and that the fantastic thing about its seashores and climate aren’t sufficient to counteract how comparatively boring a few of its neighborhoods are. Melbourne, by their estimation, is so fascinating as a result of it’s a number of cities, from hipster-filled Fitzroy to upmarket, coastal St. Kilda.
The Backside Line
The easiest way to resolve the Sydney vs Melbourne debate is to go to each cities for your self. In fact, in case you’re studying this put up, likelihood is good that you just both don’t have time to try this, or just don’t have the inclination. Personally, if I had to decide on, I’d in all probability give Sydney the sting on this struggle. Melbourne has the cultural higher hand, and definitely wowed me throughout visits to the town after I was a lot youthful. Sydney, nonetheless, merely provides the higher complete package deal, notably when you think about the gorgeous panorama that surrounds it.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications akin to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Every day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric features of life as a traveler.
