The best Australian cities to visit in 2024 and when to go

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Slightly less common with visitors looking for a city break are Cairns, Adelaide and Perth, though they continue to welcome more and more tourists, who come to experience verdant wine country, sporting events and cultural festivals, along with the wonders of Australia’s nature, from the enormous Outback to the striking Great Barrier Reef. The city’s main neighbourhoods, including popular spots like Surrey Hills, the Rocks, Woolloomooloo and Newtown, also carry that easy-going, friendly Aussie energy as well as various attractions worth a visit, such as the Art Gallery of NSW, the Royal Botanic Garden and the Australian Museum. Melbourne open image in gallery Melbourne became the largest city in the country in April 2023, after its borders were re-drawn Often referred to as the country’s capital of culture, Melbourne is a place where you can find highlights around every corner, from street art to hipster restaurants worth queuing for. Brisbane open image in gallery Brisbane’s population is 2.5 million, around half that of Melbourne and Sydney Brisbane is a popular destination year-round, with perhaps the best weather at all times in the country, and a place where the golden sand of the inner-city beaches sit in front of towering skyscrapers.