Australia is a beautiful country with some of the most diverse cities in the world. From the cosmopolitan urban centers of Sydney and Melbourne to the laid-back beach towns of Queensland, there’s something for every type of traveler. But Australia isn’t just about big cities; many Aussies have been flocking to smaller urban areas with the rising cost of living. As a result, up-and-coming areas are growing. They offer all the amenities you’d expect from an urban area: restaurants and shops galore, plenty of outdoor activities like hiking or biking trails within city limits, and good public transportation options for getting around without driving everywhere yourself.
So if you’re looking for something more than just surfing beaches and attending music festivals, then consider one of these 10 up-and-coming Australian cities:
Canberra, ACT
If you’re looking for a place with a thriving economy, excellent public transportation, and beautiful parks and gardens, then Canberra is the city for you.
The capital city of Australia, Canberra, was built with the vision of being a modern utopia: a planned city where all residents had equal access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities and social services. The result is one of Australia’s most livable cities, with over 450,000 residents living side by side in huge apartment buildings designed by some famous architects.
Canberra has an extensive public transport system that includes trains connecting it to Sydney, buses ferrying people around town and trams running from North Canberra through Southport into Central Belconnen.
Brisbane, QLD
Brisbane is a city known for its relaxed lifestyle and culture. It is arguably the most up-and-coming area in Oz. With so many new hotels and shops popping up, it’s constantly growing. Property prices have risen by 3.3% recently, so Brisbane is the place to be if you are a savvy investor. The cost of living is $2,898 per month, while food costs an average of $289 per week. If you need to park your car in Brisbane, expect to pay around $5-$10 an hour for street parking. You might be thinking, how do I find parking? Is there such a thing as cheap parking in Brisbane city? Well, you are in luck; monthly parking is often far cheaper than parking by the hour, so if you regularly commute, it’s worth searching for spots near your work by the month.
Bendigo, VIC
Bendigo is a city in Victoria, Australia. The city is located on the northern slopes of the Macedon Ranges, approximately 150 kilometres west of the state capital Melbourne. Bendigo’s rich history dates back to the 1800s when gold was first found there. The architecture here is stunning. If beautiful houses and spaces are your things, then it is a wonderful place to live.
Wollongong, NSW
If you want to live in a city, but not too big, Wollongong might be the place for you. Located on the South Coast of NSW, it has a population of 250,000 people and is growing rapidly. The city offers an excellent climate and is known for its beaches and surf culture. It also has a strong economy with plenty of employment opportunities in several industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing and tourism. Wollongong’s education system is well regarded, with many schools ranking highly compared to others across Australia.
Parramatta, NSW
Parramatta is the second-largest commercial and industrial centre in Sydney. It has over 200,000 people, making it one of Australia’s most populous cities.
It is known for its sports culture and industrial presence. However, the city has moved away from industrial sites to government offices and a more sophisticated way of doing business. It is well connected through public transport, and you can reach Sydney within 30 minutes.
Newcastle, NSW
Newcastle is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Australia, with its first inhabitants arriving about 40,000 years ago. The area was originally inhabited by Indigenous Australians who had lived there for thousands of years before European settlement began in 1797. Newcastle’s cost of living is around 30% less than Sydney, making it an extremely affordable place to live. It has beautiful beaches nearby, a lot less traffic, parking is never an issue and a safe place to bring up a family.
Geelong, VIC
Geelong is a city in Victoria, Australia. It lies at the mouth of the Barwon River and Corio Bay on the western side of Port Phillip. Geelong began as a port town in 1826 when Captain William Lonsdale surveyed its coastline with Charles La Trobe. It has a country-living feel with public and private schools, making it excellent for families. The waterfronts and gardens are beautiful and have plenty of outdoor sports facilities.
Townsville, QLD
Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland and the largest city in Australia, not on the coast. It’s Australia’s 5th fastest-growing city and has a population of over 190,000 people. Townsville was founded as a seaport for the nearby coal mines but has since grown into an economic and cultural hub for North Queensland. As such, many things to do here will appeal to both long-time residents and newcomers.
Townsville features many museums with exhibits ranging from history to natural science, art galleries with rotating exhibitions featuring local artists’ work, botanical gardens showcasing native Australian flora and fauna (including kangaroos!), festivals celebrating indigenous culture and tropical rainforest preservation efforts—the list goes on! You can even catch live music at one of their theaters or concert venues while you’re there!
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Sunshine Coast is a popular tourist destination for those who want to escape the bustle of the city. It’s also the gateway to the Gold Coast (hence the name).
The Sunshine Coast is a great place to live, with many of its residents being young families. The region boasts a diverse range of jobs and industries, including manufacturing and retail, as well as tourism-related activities like fishing and surfing. So if you want to be closer to nature—but still have access to big cities like Brisbane—this region may be for you!
Ballarat, VIC
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is located approximately 150 km from Melbourne on the western edge of the Goldfields region of Victoria. The city has a population of 88,000 people and is one of the main administrative centres for the Ballarat Shire.
Ballarat began as a gold mining settlement in 1851 and was soon established as an important regional centre, supporting nearby towns and villages such as Buninyong and Sebastopol. However, the city swiftly became a vital service centre for gold miners after it became known for its large number of pubs and hotels that could cater to thousands of thirsty miners at any given time. Today this tradition continues with over 80 pubs dotted throughout Ballarat’s streetscapes!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this list of 10 up-and-coming cities in Australia! Of course, Australia has some of the best cities in the world, but even the lesser-known areas have opportunities for everyone.
