I know there are a lot of Aussies on this board, so I figured I'd ask. Which would you recommend for a first-time visitor to Australia? It would be for early May (so Fall weather).
I spent about a month in Australia traveling about 4-5 years ago. Being a tourist in both, I'd say I enjoyed the history and sight-seeing in Sydney more. However, I enjoyed the culture, food, and night-life in Melbourne more. I'd say it's probably more about what your preferences are when traveling. Both cities are fun, and have a lot to offer.
Definitely Melbourne. I liked the more laid back culture, atmosphere and food. Its been years the last time Ive been and I was only 15 at the time but something stuck with me that Melbourne was far more cultured.
Sydney resident. Melbourne has more of the hipster foodie scene. Generally worse weather. Better arts scene (ie live music etc). Sydney is by far a more beautiful city, has the 'classic' Australian landmarks (opera house harbour bridge etc), and is a short trip to things like blue mountains. I would go Sydney for a first time visitor, and stay near the city, eat out in Surrey Hills. Hit me up with any questions re areas etc.
How's the 8-hour drive between the two cities? Flights seem to be cheap, but is the drive a good way to see the landscape?
Melbourne. Easier to get around, smaller, and generally a nicer city. But try and do both, Sydney definitely has its good points as mentioned above. If you go to Melbourne, do some drives (Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsular are two I'd recommend). Speaking of driving, you could do the drive from Sydney to Melbourne in one whole day, but it's better to split it over a two or three if you want to stop and enjoy the landscape. There's the 'quick' way down the freeway (but you miss a lot of towns/scenery), or heaps of other ways, depending on what you want to see. Along the coast is great, but can take ages, and may not be great if your'e going in winter. And there's this (spoilered for f-bomb): Spoiler
Quick question for Australian Rockets fans. Are the Rockets particularly popular in Australia? If so why? I am not aware of a Houston-Australia connection. (Asking out of curiosity)
For me the reason I started following Houston was back in the early 90's the one tv station would show a game once a week and Houston seemed to get a few of these games. The masses were all over Jordan and the Bulls and rather than go with the crowd I fell in love with Houston. In regards to Melbourne or Sydney, I personally prefer Melbourne but that has to do more so with the food and sport. If you do get to Melbourne make sure you check out a game of AFL and the MCG, will be different to anything you have ever seen.
Sydney is far more picturesque but I greatly prefer Melbourne. You can experience a huge amount of the city by walking and what you can't or don't want to walk to you can access using the most awesome tram system. Sydney reminds me of Seattle, which is fine, but Melbourne always reminds me of the best of, say, Chicago or Toronto or even Brooklyn. And let me also recommend Brisbane and Adelaide. They are both excellent places in their own ways and well worth a visit.
An Australia thread. What do yall think of Gold Coast? Seems to be less mentioned than the other two and even less so than Perth.
I've been to Sidney once. Didn't get to do much since I was very ill. The Oprah house is legit though.
For me that area of Australia is the best for a tourist. Not sure about Gold coast specifically but the areas around it are some of the most beautiful i've seen in the world. Perfect if you want a quiet and picturesque retreat. On the topic of Melbourne vs Sydney, Melbourne is my favourite but that's just a biased opinion based on little exposure to Sydney. AFL is legit though, if you want to catch a game, watch a few first. When i was in the states they had games playing in the early morning on some Fox sports channel, see if you can find it.
If you're going to the gold coast stay in the marriot over there. ive been there countless times back in my teens with family/gfs and its an amazing resort up there, definitely the best in the area. Yes thats a beach in a hotel
