Melbourne or Sydney?

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Permalink Reply by George Palmer on February 5, 2009 at 17:12

Neighbours is much better than Home and away - Melbourne it is!

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Permalink Reply by Leaonne Hall on February 5, 2009 at 17:15

I like your thinking!
I have to go with you on this - Neighbours wins hands down, I found Home and Away too far-fetched myself… not that Neighbours was winning any awards for its story lines!

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Permalink Reply by Anna Scrivenger on February 5, 2009 at 18:35

Well all my family are in Melbourne and they think it's the best thing ever. But I am a Sydney girl. Not just because I work in publishing and that's where all the jobs are.

I love Sydney's glitz, the beaches, the incredible scenery. There's just no disputing that Sydney is by far the more beautiful of the two - steep, wooded shores cascading into clear blue harbour, soft golden sand beaches (no weed or sharp stones), billowing yachts chasing each other on sparkling waters like kittens, the flighty Opera House pouting at the world beneath the protective arc of the Harbour Bridge... it's iconic at every turn and as far as I am concerned it is the most beautiful city in the world.

Melburnians would say that Sydney is flashy and showy and that Melbourne is the true custodian of kudos. True, if you're into art and music and bohemia, Melbourne has plenty to offer (though I was never short in Sydney either). And Sydney does feel bolder and brasher, its women clad in bright, twinkly sundresses instead of Melbourne's statement t-shirts and boyfriend jeans. Sydney tosses her hair and winks for the camera, while Melbourne smiles enigmatically from behind a book.

Melbourne is flat, laid out in a dull grid and bisected by a lazy, winding river. Sydney grew organically from cattle paths and trade routes and is sprinkled with hidden lanes, historic courtyards, steep steps and green hills. Melbourne's coast is flat, unvarying and with narrow and gritty beaches strung half-heartedly between breakwaters and lapped by the chilly, well-behaved waters of Port Phillip Bay. Sydney's coastline soars and plunging between vast sandstone cliffs, wibbly rock overhangs, fern-filled nooks of greenery and enchanting little sandy coves.

Melbourne does make up for its lack of natural charms with plenty of culture, and both cities have a relentless buzz and plenty of cultural reference points in common. But life in Sydney feels like a permanent holiday. You never tire of just looking at her, and she always brings a smile to your face.

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Permalink Reply by Leaonne Hall on February 5, 2009 at 18:46

Good answer - thanks for that!
Next thought - what about Perth? Someone was saying to me the other day that it has become a real magnet for Brits…

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Permalink Reply by Hannah Rose Cameron on February 22, 2009 at 3:30

Having never been to Sydney or Melbourne I can't comment on them, but I am fast becoming an expert in all things Perth.

Perth has a lot going for it, but by far the best thing has got to be the beaches. Hands down the best that I've ever seen in my life. However, if this alone isn't enough for you, it also has: fantastic restaurants, amazing food markets, a great cafe culture (including an obsession with fruit toast), a very reliable transport system and obviously, friendly locals.

Having only been here for a month I'm still getting to grips with Perth, but what I've seen so far has been pretty spectacular. Just this week we've had a barbie by the river (complete with dolphins swimming around the shore), enjoyed an evening of outdoor ballet under the stars and been to the beach most days after work.

p.s I'm all about Neighbours - Home & Away has never really been on my agenda.

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Permalink Reply by George Palmer on February 5, 2009 at 20:26

Don't know any TV shows from Perth :-)

Nice plug for Sydney - you don't work the tourist board do you???

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Permalink Reply by Anna Scrivenger on February 5, 2009 at 21:52

Maybe I should! ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Gemma Leigh on February 23, 2009 at 9:06

Sydney for me everytime, ok - maybe I'm biased :)

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Permalink Reply by diane on May 13, 2009 at 0:41

Hi everyone,

depends what you want in life really, I live in Melbourne on the Peninsula, its a beautiful spot, melbourne to me is a homely cosy place, still lots to do but seems less hassle and not as busy whereas sydney is yes lively but hussle and bussle, so if you want the life of New York or London go sydney, if you want Los Angeles come to sydney. xx

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