Melbourne or Sydney - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**indierock05** · 01-20-2006, 10:47 AM

Alright all, so here is my dilemma. I am going to do internship work and I can get an internship in either Melbourne or Sydney but I have never been to Australia and it will be for a year.

I'm an event planning major so I need a big city to work it but I don't like an overabundance of hustle and bustle.

Pretty much, y'all pick where I am going because I am clueless. Have fun deciding my life!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 01-20-2006, 02:28 PM

I have only been to Sydney, but Sydney was great. I didn't think it had overwhelming hustle or bustle. It's got a lot of great water views, harbors, etc. Beaches are all over the place and a great year round climate. decent public transportation. I think Melbourne gets a little bit cooler in the winter. I don't think you could go wrong with Sydney. I'd live there for year in a heartbeat.

**U2fan** · 01-20-2006, 11:41 PM

Based on nearly two weeks in Sydney and only 2 days in Melbourne, I would of course say Sydney. BUT I am biased and many people have told me that while Sydney is nicer to visit, Melbourne is more liveable...so....?

Either way you really can`t go wrong though, imo!

chelseafc05 · 01-20-2006, 11:54 PM

melbourne trust me... even tho im from melbourne i been to sydeny quite a few times... its good for a couple of weeks with all the touristy stuff but then the novelty wheres off... plus its more crowded there....

also everyone knows melbourne/ victoria carries the rest of the country we are far more superior

.........<----ok that bit was just to get under the skin of non victorians

**omisan** · 01-22-2006, 10:43 PM

Everyone from Australia (except for Sydneysiders, naturally) seem to think that Sydney is too huge and hustle/bustle-y and rushed and crowded and stressed out... Man, Sydney is MELLOW compared to other big cities in the world, especially next to the US.

nemesis331 · 01-23-2006, 12:01 AM

go 2 sydney...i will be there next year!

**LostFarmboy** · 01-23-2006, 04:16 PM

Spent time in both and i say Melbourne is way better. Sydney is just too much for me to tolerate for longer than a couple of weeks, it's too busy and in my experience the poeple are not particularly friendly or happy. Melbourne is a lot more laid back and just has a more positive vibe about it i reckon.

But as omi said, not too many Australians particularly like Sydney, but all foreigners absolutely love it so i don't really think you can go wrong with either.

**U2fan** · 01-23-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jan 23 2006, 01:43 AM
Man, Sydney is MELLOW compared to other big cities in the world, especially next to the US.

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Ain`t that the truth!!!!!!!!!!

Chocolaty Claire · 01-25-2006, 02:32 AM

Melbourne!!!

Cos everyone I know who has visited & lived there says so!

And cos I'm going in April.. hehe!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 01-27-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Everyone from Australia (except for Sydneysiders, naturally) seem to think that Sydney is too huge and hustle/bustle-y and rushed and crowded and stressed out

Holy shit, that blows my mind. I thought Sydney was one of the most laid back, least crowded cities I have ever seen. I can't even imagine what Melbourne must be like.

**indierock05** · 01-31-2006, 06:03 PM

Thanks for all the help! I'll keep you guys informed with the offers I get rolling in (hopefully)!!!! And of course, more suggestions are always welcome

**Diorama** · 01-31-2006, 08:03 PM

Well I've been to both cities and I must say that I'm a Melbourne girl! A cool city it is! I lived in St. Kilda which is a cool suburb with the beach and good drinking patios. I found Sydney to be too big with no personality. Melbourne has heart and a good arts/music scene. Everyone I met had a favourite. Your either a Melbs person or a sydney lover.

On a side note. Perth and Brisbane are awesome too!

**aliz** · 02-08-2006, 02:31 AM

go to sydney! great weather, beautiful sights, endless variety... and thats where all the action is. i think if you're coming from overseas, you would really appreciate sydney. i love it

Bessil · 03-15-2006, 12:17 PM

Hi there,

I would recommend Melbourne to you, and although I'm biased because I come from Melbourne, I think you should go there for the following reasons:

The Formula 1 Grand Prix (March)
The Melbourne Cup (horseracing in November)
Centre domain for AFL football (Feb-September)
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Main music hub for Australian music
The Australian Open
The Great Ocean Road
Great beaches - Portsea, Ocean Grove, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Sorrento, Lorne, Apollo Bay, plus all the bayside beaches along the city
The most cosmopolitan city in Australia - ballet, opera, dozens of galleries, pubs, clubs, bars, lounges, festivals, music, music, music
Easy commuting around town
Ferry to Tasmania
'Brunettis' - the BEST cakes and desserts store in Carlton - de-licious!
Melbourne International Fashion Festival
The MCG - for all your cricket and concert needs
The Melbourne International Film Festival
International Rugby Union (although I have to admit you'll see more of that in Sydney)
The Esplanade Hotel - major centre hub for local bands situated right on St Kilda beach

The great suburbs - Fitzroy (Bohemian), South Yarra & Prahran (trendy), St Kilda (Bohemian/Beach head/ Musician), Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Richmond, Carlton (Little Italy)
There are over 6,000 restaurants in Melbourne
The Dandenong Ranges
Chadstone Shopping Centre (proclaimed to be the Fashion Capital in Melbourne)
24-hour groceries (must be mentioned - something Ottawa, Canada seems to lack)

Now, that's just a little bit of what you'll encounter when you're in the city, but I"ll tell you this. I've been travelling around the world for the last year, living in London, in Canada, and packpacking all around Europe. And I'm proud to say that I think Melbourne is one of THE BEST cities in the world.

I hope you enjoy it!
Good luck!

Bessil

astro25e · 04-22-2006, 04:50 PM

Can i just say i really enjoy reading about the sydney/melbourne contraversy? i every one i've met from australia is super adament about one or the other being better. it's like some sort of conspiracy to make tourists visit both...

**aliz** · 04-24-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by astro25e@Apr 23 2006, 10:50 AM
Can i just say i really enjoy reading about the sydney/melbourne contraversy? i every one i've met from australia is super adament about one or the other being better. it's like some sort of conspiracy to make tourists visit both...

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yeah I think its kinda funny... melbourne is a really nice city but i think i went there thinking "sydney's better sydney's better sydney's better" so i wasnt really very open-minded... great shopping though, but I think thats just cause it was all new to me.
You really know there's a big rivalry between cities when another city has to be specially built between them to be the capital (ever wondered why the capital city of australia is basically a big town in the middle of nowhere?)

**raoulduke** · 08-21-2006, 11:53 PM

Notice whenever you see a picture of Sydney it is always of the Bridge, Harbour or Opera House. IMO that's because once you get past the flashy entrance it's a rather bland city.

I'm from Melbourne so I'm completely biased but I've spent a bit of time in Sydney and would choose Melbourne any day.

Good Luck with your decision

nena · 08-28-2006, 02:18 AM

I spent two months in Melbourne, six weeks in Sydney. I liked Melbourne much much more than Sydney though, the people, the nightlife, the markets, everything really.

Sydney people have this rude-big-city-people-mentality, while Melbourne people are just normal. Thats very general speaking of course. I might be completely wrong but this was in my experience.

chelseafc05 · 09-24-2006, 08:08 PM

so who won?

**TheWills** · 09-29-2006, 06:57 AM

OK how are you!!!

Dont listen to anyone else, just listen to me lol

Go to melbourne, Its still a big city 1.2 mil or something like that, however its really really easy to get arond.......sydney is a pain in the ass and everyone there is in a hurry. Melbourne is way more laid back and chill and you dont ahve to jump on trains to get everywhere......Melbourne has a really really really really easy tram network like its point A to B sorta stuff. And the pay there is great cost of living is less, and like I said way way more chill. The only thing that sucks is the 4 seasons a day weather......trust whoever has spent time in both cities (moi) willtell you melbourne is best!
Wills
p.s. Trust!