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News.com.au
13-07-2025
- News.com.au
How the best Aussie town has evolved over the past 25 years
From Bondi Beach to Byron Bay, Brisbane through to Ballarat and everywhere in between. Australia is filled with the quaint and the quirk when it comes to towns and cities alike - but which is the best? To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. The Economist Intelligent Unit's annual Global Liveability Index ranked Australia as having three of the top 10 spots on the 2025 list of most liveable cities in the world. Melbourne once again beat rival Sydney, coming in at number four on the chart, while the Harbour City came in sixth and Adelaide was ninth. But we're more interested in where you choose to visit when the budget can't accomodate an international flight. Of course there are plenty of hotspots away from our major urban centres. The ever-popular Byron Bay of the early 2000s has been joined by the quieter neighbouring spot of Yamba as a favourite in recent years, while the Outback and tropical environs of northern Queensland offer unique pleasures. So when asking some well-travelled Aussie faces to narrow down their top five locations from around the country they've visited over the past 25 years, we didn't limit them to the capitals. And it's fair to say when it comes to what's ranked well — good food, a decent coffee and plenty of coastline reign supreme. Teigan Nash - TV presenter, Sydney Weekender Top Pick: Kimberley, Western Australia The Kimberley is a realm where connection, serenity, and wonder converge. Walking amongst the rugged red dirt to then be immersed in deep green fern-fringed pools of Zebedee Springs, nestled in the heart of El Questro. It's a place that invites you to pause, listen, learn and be enveloped by its timeless beauty. 2. Kakadu, Northern Territory 3. Lady Elliot Island, Queensland 4. Forster, New South Wales 5. Great Barrier Reef and Atherton Tablelands, Tropical North Queensland Jana Frawley - Content Director, Escape TOP PICK: Yulara, Northern Territory With a bank, supermarket, service station and school, Yulara is like any other small Australian town, but it has one big difference: it's right next door to the awesome natural wonders, Uluru and Kata Tjuta. If you've visiting - as I have done five times in the past 30 years - it's where you'll eat, drink, sleep and rest in accommodation ranging from a DIY camp site to one of the most expensives lodges down under. Then, you head out to the nearby national park and its world-famous and culturally significant landmarks, jaw agape every time. Yulara rocks! 2. Byron Bay, New South Wales 3. Noosa, Queensland 4. Leura, New South Wales 5. Healesville, Victoria Loren Barry - Co-host, The Hot Hits with Nic & Loren TOP PICK: Narooma New South Wales I almost didn't want to include Narooma because I don't want it to become spoiled, HOWEVER, it's far too beautiful to gatekeep. The beaches are perfection, the people are a delight and the Fish and Chips - unbeatable. Also, there's a chance you'll spot Orcas, and if there is Orcas involved, you know I'm there. 2. Fitzroy Victoria (specifically Gertrude Street) 3. Wilson's Prom Victoria 4. Daintree Rainforest Queensland 5. Blue Mountains New South Wales Rowena Ryan - Digital Editor, Escape TOP PICK: Thredbo, New South Wales Thredbo is no longer just about the winter season. While I still go skiing, I've spent summers, Christmases and Easters up in the Snowy Mountains - it's the perfect mix of stunning scenery, laid back Aussie holiday vibes and nature, whether it be golfing, swimming in the rivers, hiking to the top of Mt Kosciuszko or mountain bike riding it's my go-to for a week of switching off. 2. Broome, Western Australia 3. Barwon Heads, Victoria 4. Mudgee, New South Wales 5. Dunsborough, Western Australia Shaun White - Sunrise tech and travel expert TOP PICK: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia This one took me by surprise. You hear about the Great Barrier Reef all the time, but Ningaloo? It's where the outback meets the reef. The colour contrast between red and turquoise is out of this world. It gets really hot in summer but you can swim with whale sharks. I'm booking my next visit right now. 2. Fitzroy, Melbourne 3. Maleny, Queensland 4. Hamilton Island, Queensland 5. Kangaroo Valley, NSW Angus Kidman - Travel Guru TOP PICK: Beechworth, Victoria This high country gem has charm without being twee, steeped in history and surrounded by gorgeous countryside and a brilliant rail trail. Finish your day of exploring at Bridge Road Brewers with a local IPA and a hot pizza - perfection. And no need to go to Melbourne first for out-of-staters - it's a quick hop from Albury. 2. Kingston, ACT 3. Dubbo, New South Wales 4. Glenelg, South Australia 5. Daylesford, Victoria Sam Frost, media personality and caravanning queen TOP PICK: Gib-River Road, Western Australia. We did this trip last year in our caravan. It was epic! All the beautiful waterfalls and gorges are truly magic. 2. Flinders Ranges, South Australia 3. K'gari, Queensland 4. Victorian High Country 5. Tasmania - I can't pick one spot! Beau Ryan, Triple M's Beau, Cat & Woodsy breakfast show TOP PICK: Bermagui, NSW A coastal town with a relaxed lifestyle, the most pristine beaches, and the best oysters in the country. A place where my family holds an annual reunion that holds a special place in my heart. Bridge jumping at Lake Cuttagee followed by ocean swims at the blue pool. Paradise, man 2. Uluru, Northern Territory 3. Hobart, Tasmania 4. Warilla/Barrack Point, NSW 5. Port Douglas (Daintree Forest) Queensland Matty Johnson, Dad and podcast host TOP PICK: Ulladulla - New South Wales It might not be the most exotic destination on my list but there's no where else I'd rather spend my time with the family. There's amazing restaurants, people are incredibly friendly and the beaches are some of the most pristine I've ever been to. Nothing beats fish and chips on the beach as you watch the whales migrate - so close it feels like they're in arms reach. 2. Byron Bay, New South Wales 3. Cairns, Queensland 4. Magnetic Island, Queensland 5. McLaren Vale, South Australia Sam Frickey, Australian Olympic Diver TOP PICK: Surfers Paradise, Queensland Absolutely love Surfers. There's a diving pool up the road in Southport where I train, but honestly, it's everything else around it that makes this place one of my all-time favourites. The main strip always has pumping street performers, epic food, and the perfect spot to shoot content. One of my best stays ever was this Airbnb apartment in Soul, right above the beach. I slept with the balcony door open and fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing. It was next level. During the day, I love doing mainies (that's where you walk up and down the main street and suss out what's going on). And the Gold Coast is one of the best places in Australia to do good mainies - there's always something happening, the vibes are high, and it's just got that classic Aussie energy that never gets old. 2. Cronulla Beach, New South Wales 3. Lightning Ridge, New South Wales 4. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
I'm an American who has lived in Sydney and Melbourne... many won't agree which city I think is better 'in every way'
An American has reignited an ongoing debate about which city is better in Australia after claiming Sydney is superior to Melbourne 'in every way'. Drew Mork, who has been living in Melbourne for seven months, said he'd spoken to more than 100 people and was shocked by how strongly locals felt about Sydney. 'They're like, "Oh Sydney's s***. Don't go there",' he said. 'A city is only as good as its people, and the Melburnians are bitter. No one wants to be happy - it's exhausting.' Mr Mork said locals had told him the NSW capital had 'better beaches', but the residents were superficial, as they only cared about money and early-morning runs to look after their 'body and appearance'. The American argued those were actually among the reasons he found Sydney so appealing. 'They're describing it to me like they hate it, but I'm like, that sounds freaking awesome,' he said. 'Sydney is unreal. It's just so much better in every way.' Mr Mork said his experience visiting Sydney was overwhelmingly positive. He said the people were 'so nice' and the iconic landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House, had to be seen to be believed. 'There's not a picture in the world that would do the Opera House justice,' he said. Mr Mork claimed the rivalry between the two cities was one-sided, arguing people in Sydney were far more relaxed about Melbourne. 'If you ask someone in Sydney about Melbourne, they're like, "Oh Melbourne's actually nice, but we just like Sydney so much better".' He said the appeal of each city came down to personal taste. 'If you're 19 and obsessed with drinking until 4am, you probably love Melbourne,' Mr Mork said. 'But if you're a business guy or you're a fitness person, hey, you've got to go to Sydney.' Mr Mork told Daily Mail Australia he had experienced more direct confrontations with Victorians in the past as well. The personal trainer said he'd given Melbourne a fair crack and had 'tried to make (it) work'. 'I love a lot of things about Melbourne, but I'd rather live somewhere where people aren't having a sook every day. Walking around in Melbourne as an American is like walking in a field of landmines,' he said. 'Everyone in Melbourne says Sydney folk are mean and judgemental but I believe they can't stand Sydney because people in Sydney are ambitious and tall poppy syndrome is peaking in Melbourne. 'When I went to Sydney, everyone was so welcoming and nice to me.' Social media users were divided, with some saying there were benefits and downsides to both cities. 'As an Aussie, I see it like this: Sydney is a day city, Melbourne is a night city,' one argued. 'If you like running, swimming, surfing, coffee outside - basically anything near water in the sun - then Sydney. But, if you like trendy dinners, alleyways, art galleries, small gigs and cosy indoor coffee then go to Melbourne. 'Personally I think both are great.' Some Melburnians were defensive about their city and suggested the American take a closer look at his own country. 'Calling Melbourne a s***hole, but forgetting how s*** your so-called country is. Go back there, nobody [is] stopping you,' one wrote. Others defended Sydney, arguing Melburnians were just 'jealous'. 'Melbourne is so boring!' one wrote.
