Sydney vs melbourne

There is a long-standing rivalry between the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne, with Sydneysiders calling their city ‘the capital in everything but name,' and Melbournites fiercely disputing this - TheMoveChannel takes a look at what each city has to offer and which metropolis really reigns supreme...

Starting with Sydney...

Sydney offers cosmopolitan city living, high powered working and eclectic shopping with a twist of beach and sun.

Its cocktail of attributes - both physical - the city has some of the country's best known landmarks and beautiful beaches - and mental - its hectic business Centre has all of the energy of Tokyo or Manhattan - explain why Sydney nabbed tenth place out of the 215 cities surveyed in the annual Mercer Quality of Life Survey this week.

Sydney has come a long way from its convict beginnings and is thought of as ‘Australia's capital in everything but name,' by locals, highlighting its status as one of the nation's economic powerhouses and edgy but relaxed lifestyle.

It is home to some of the most famous attractions in the world, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. A working building, not just a monument to style, the Opera House also offers chamber music, symphonies, drama, dance and experimental music.

The city has long been a magnet for backpackers and career hungry professionals alike, all drawn by its work hard, play harder vibe.

Oxford Street, Kings Cross and the area around Darlinghurst is the part of Sydney that never sleeps. Around here you can find dozens of Bars, cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.

Popular areas for a drink include the city Centre and The Rocks - where you can find Sydney's oldest pubs, the Hero of Waterloo and the Lord Nelson Hotel.

North of the Harbour Bridge lies Manly, a long curve of golden sand edged with Norfolk Pines which fill up at dusk with colourful flocks of lorikeets. You can reach Manly via a ferry from Circular Quay or by the rapid Jetcat boat, which will cut the trip down to just 15 minutes.

Sydney hosts Australian Fashion Week, which showcases talent from all over the country and, keen to nab a major sporting event, it has been trying to poach the Australian Open Tennis Tournament from Melbourne as it is such a pull to tourists and generates millions of dollars for the city's economy each year, not to mention unbeatable publicity.

Sydney shopping is impressive - Oxford Street in Paddington has some a medley of designer boutiques and Double Bay also offers a wide range of shops.

Property wise, Sydney has an eclectic mix of old and new homes, many set into the cliffs overlooking the water and utilizing the ‘outdoors indoors' theme with huge wraparound decks and sun terraces.

Sydney is brimming with beautiful beaches, lying like a row of glittering pearls along the coastline. Scattered around Darling Harbour are tucked away coves and sleepy bays - ideal for swimming or for young children. One is so famous it hardly needs a mention - Bondi lies only minutes from the city Centre and attracts thousands of surfers and tourists each year.

Many beaches edge onto harbour waters, but the most popular of them all is Balmoral. Strung with cafes and a couple of fine restaurants, Balmoral is a trendy and scenic north-shore suburb with a resident flock of bright white sulphur-crested cockatoos.

Moving on to Melbourne...

Well, after that glowing report about Sydney, can Melbourne really hope to measure up?

The answer is a resounding YES!

I'll go out on a limb here - Melbourne is a better place to live whereas Sydney is a better place for a holiday.

Sydney seems rather more about a superficial instant gratification - looking good is paramount and where you live and what you drive seems crucial too.  

Melbourne has a more relaxed vibe. Its city Centre is accessible. Historic architecture - St. Pauls Cathedral, built in the gothic transitional style is juxtaposed with the in-your-face modernism of Federation Square.

Taking an evening stroll along Southbank past the fountains of fire spilling into the Yarra River outside Crown Casino is another one of the many highlights of Melbourne.

But beaches don't match up to those in Sydney and the weather is certainly less reliable- think along a ‘four seasons in one day' variety and don't do what I did and make the error of not packing a coat because you are going to Australia - Melbourne gets proper winters and you will be glad of that winter coat.

And yes, the Melbourne suburbs may be rather sprawling, but one of them gave birth to that accompaniment to my childhood - Neighbours.

Geelong, an hour's drive from Melbourne, is the Gateway to the Great Ocean Road, which is known as one of the world's greatest coastal drives. It is also home to the giant rockstacks of the 12 Apostles, one of the most famous natural phenomenons in the world.

Culture wise, you are spoilt for choice in Melbourne. The annual Food and Wine Festival held each February lets you eat in many of the city's top restaurants for half price. The city offers an eclectic range of eateries from little Italy to China Town.

My own personal recommendation would be to try the Gin Palace, at 190 Little Collins Street in the heart of the city, for its mismatched shabby chic and its fabulous (not all gin-based) cocktails. For food in stunning surroundings, grab a light lunch at the café in the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens.  

Catch a tram to the neighbourhood of St Kilda, which has developed from a seaside resort into a trendy and cosmopolitan suburb, famous for its food, entertainment and nightlife.

Acland Street is a bustling shopping precinct famous for its cafes, continental cake shops, fashion and second-hand shops bursting with vintage clothing. Nearby Fitzroy Street is renowned for its restaurants, Bars and live music.

The Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne displays and interprets a collection ranging from classical antiquity to contemporary art and the Australian ballet is based in Melbourne, along with a wonderful theatre life.

A range of quirky and out-there street theatre is always on offer around Southbank so make sure you take some coins to throw into their hats!

And the winner is...

Melbourne's mix of cosmopolitan culture and down to earth vibe beats Sydney's somewhat superficial rat race hands down. 

Picture of the Opera House, Sydney by jimmyharris

Picture of Flinders Street Station, Melbourne by my big blue gorilla