Melbourne and Sydney’s rivalry has been in place since the 1800s. when the British Imperial Parliament passed the Australian Colonies Governing Act in 1850, NSW encourage free trade. Where tariffs were only imposed on tobacco, alcohol, sugar tea, and coffee. However, when Victoria game through its gold rush in 1851, it led to the arrival of wealth and more people settling in the area. In order to keep former minors employed locally, Victoria imposed import duties on leather goods, clothing, furniture, toys, glassware, porcelain etc. which led Victoria more successful as a manufacturing-led economy and that’s where the battle began between Melbourne and Sydney.
as both cities are significantly booming in their very own ways. Culturally, Architecturally, and in living quality, both cities are constantly battling to prove the best city is theirs. Sydney holds more icons in Australia, and Melbourne is known as Australia’s cultural capital. Let’s find out who’s the best! Can Sydney’s iconic landmarks take over Melbourne’s thriving arts, culture, and great food?
Melbourne named one of the most livable city titles for years, means it is the most safe and enjoyable city.
Cost of living: for starters, Melbourne is cheaper than Sydney, where you can live a much more comfortable life than in Sydney and Melbourne also offers pretty good real estate. Melbourne offers a pretty laid-back and chilled lifestyle over Sydney which is more rushed and like in a rat race.
Cultural diversity: Melbourne is meant to be the cultural capital of Australia. Where there are over 140 nations living with harmony and peace, carrying a very chilled-out day-to-day lifestyle.
Whereas, Sydney is a very busy, and more business-oriented city.
Art scenes: Melbourne is also known for their eclectic art, music, and theatre. Definitely got more galleries and museums than Sydney. From large public galleries to commercial galleries to private galleries, Melbourne got over 100 galleries. Which includes the national gallery of Victoria, containing over 68,000 artworks with the largest state art collection in Australia. Whereas The Art Gallery of NSW got only a collection of 30,000 works in its collection.
Melbourne’s Buskers make the city more alive, hip, and happening, walk through the State Library of Victoria, and you are definitely teleported to a musical era.
Quality of education: Sydney is more of the financial capital of the country, Victoria offers education with a huge number of colleges and universities. Victoria holds over one-third of the total international students in the entire Australia, where the majority are in Melbourne. “In 2021, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking will be published, which will include comments from more than 87,000 current and prospective international students. Melbourne was ranked sixth among the world’s best cities to study; Sydney finished eighth”
Weather: Sydney will score better on this. Whereas Sydney is with considerably better weather all year round. With less windy, less rainy, and sunnier. Whereas in Melbourne, you could feel all 4 seasons in one day, literally! You never know how your day will turn out to be with Melbourne.
Public Transport: Melbourne is with less traffic and with the best and the biggest tram system in the southern hemisphere and also the biggest tram system in the world. The best part is that you can travel in the city circle absolutely free! In addition, Melbourne has a renowned underground loop that links to 12 suburb rail lines. And lest I forget, the Victorian capital also has enough laneway to keep you occupied for days. Can you get off/on a train directly at the Domestic and/or International airport in Melbourne? Well, You can in Sydney.
Food Scenes: Sydney is always of the swankiest and more expensive restaurants, due to more business-oriented and high-end residents in the area. While, Melbourne is built on more casual, fun, and laidback restaurant sets and getting more fun and cool offerings with the food and beverages. Melbourne coffee is the BEST!
Nightlife: Going out at night in Melbourne is effortless, With jeans and a tank top – you are good to go. Whereas in Sydney, you would definitely feel underdressed. Melbourne is with jampacked night eateries, and to coolest clubs and bars open until sunrise. Sydney nightlife is classier and the glam-life!
Iconic Architecture: The most famous building in Australia, the landmark Sydney Opera House, which is of outstanding universal value. Its unparallel design and construction and technological innovation stand as a world-famous architectural icon. Also, the Sydney Skyscraper was the first in the county which came up in 1967 followed by the Melbourne one in 1968. Melbourne boasts around Victorian Architecture along with modern touch. Sydney is the epitome of great architecture which travelers are known with.
Melbourne is a city that boasts of culture and heritage while keeping it hip-and-happening with extraordinary restaurants and diverse culture. If you aren’t interested in history, art, and a very laid-back life, Melbourne is not the city for you.
Sydney is known to be the more business-centric, prim and proper, and all things formal. If you love a classy life with a splash of good money, Sydney is your go-to!
So, what is your pick?
