Australia's "best" climate is subjective, but many favor the ** mild, Mediterranean-like conditions of Perth and Southwest WA** (sunny, dry summers, mild winters) or the temperate East Coast (Port Macquarie, Sunshine Coast) for gentle summers and warm oceans; areas like the Red Centre offer dry heat with warm days and cool nights in autumn/spring, while Tasmania appeals for cooler, distinct seasons, though Perth often wins for consistent sunshine.
For great weather in Australia, Perth is often cited for its sunny Mediterranean climate, while the Queensland/NSW coast (Gladstone to Port Macquarie) offers mild, swim-friendly conditions year-round with fewer extremes, and Tasmania provides four distinct seasons without intense humidity for those who prefer cooler, fresh air. The "best" depends on your preference for sun, mildness, or distinct seasons, but avoid tropical north Queensland in summer due to extreme heat and humidity.
10 Best Areas to Live in Australia
While several places get extremely hot, Onslow in Western Australia shares the record for Australia's highest temperature ever recorded (50.7°C in 2022), and Marble Bar, also in WA, is famous as "Australia's Hottest Town" for its record-breaking 160 consecutive days over 37.7°C (100°F) in 1923-24. The Pilbara region, where these towns are located, consistently experiences Australia's most extreme heat.
Climate and Lifestyle
The warm, sunny climate of Australia is stark in contrast to the UK's cooler, mild climate. Australia: Known for its mild weather and outdoor activities, Australia offers a haven for those who love surfing, hiking, and barbecues.
Yes, Australia is generally 10-25% more expensive than the UK for everyday living expenses. However, before you abandon your Australian dreams, here's the crucial bit – salaries are 20-30% higher, often offsetting the increased costs!
For most of Australia, July is the coldest month, averaging the lowest temperatures despite the winter solstice occurring in June; it takes time for the land and oceans to fully cool, pushing the coldest period into July and sometimes early August, especially in southern regions, while mountainous areas see their coldest snaps then for snow.
Melbourne is home to Australia's largest British expat population, followed by Sydney and Perth. These cities are popular among Brits due to their strong job markets, vibrant cultural scenes, and established expat communities. Each city offers a different lifestyle, so the choice often depends on personal preferences.
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.
It's official! Adelaide is the happiest city in Australia, and one of the happiest in the world! 🙌 We ranked #29 globally in the Happy City Index across six categories - environment, economy, mobility, citizen wellbeing, health and governance.
Yes, Australia has a universal healthcare system called Medicare, which provides free or low-cost access to most essential health and hospital services for citizens and permanent residents, funded by a tax (the Medicare levy). While basic public hospital care and doctor visits are largely covered, services like dental, ambulance, and some optical care aren't included, requiring private insurance for full coverage.
We've listed some of the many benefits expats have told us they liked while staying here.
There's no single "most beautiful" town, but Richmond, Tasmania, often tops lists for its historic Georgian architecture and colonial bridge, while Noosa, Queensland, and Byron Bay, NSW, are famous for stunning beaches and vibrant vibes, and coastal towns like Esperance, WA, and Port Fairy, VIC, are celebrated for breathtaking natural beauty, making your choice depend on whether you prefer history, coast, or countryside charm**.
Not only did Canberra top the global list, but it also ranked as the highest Australian city across four of the six core quality-of-life indicators: income per person, income equality, housing expenditure and life expectancy. Discover more about what makes Canberra stand out.
More than just a travel destination, Las Vegas is one of the best places to live with warm weather year-round. The Las Vegas climate is a major draw to the area, boasting sunny days and only 21 days of annual precipitation, making it one of the sunniest U.S cities.
Perth. Perth has been named as the sunniest capital city in Australia with clear skies 70% of the year.
What is the average cost of living in Australia in 2024? There is no exact figure for the cost of living in Australia. However, Expatistan estimates the current cost of living in Australia is roughly AU $5,105 per month for a single person or AU $8,801 per month for a family of four.
Toorak – The Undisputed Richest Suburb in Melbourne
From multi-million-dollar mansions to elite private schools and exclusive shopping strips, it has long been regarded as the richest area in Melbourne. Toorak is also home to Australia's wealthiest business leaders, celebrities, and international investors.
Yes, you can potentially buy a house with a $10,000 deposit in Australia, especially as a first home buyer, by using government schemes like the First Home Guarantee (requiring 5% deposit) or state grants, or through specific programs like Coposit for off-the-plan purchases, though it limits property price and often requires a guarantor or specific conditions to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). A $10,000 deposit is 10% of a $100,000 property or 5% of a $200,000 property, so the price of the home is key.
Quality of life and lifestyle advantages in Australia
One difference is immediately obvious—sunshine. Most Australian cities average over 2,800 hours of sunshine each year, compared to less than 1,500 in much of the UK. This shapes everything from weekend routines to mental wellbeing.
The terms pommy, pommie, and pom used in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand usually denote a British person. Newspapers in Australia were using the term by 1912, with it appearing first in Western Australia, and was said to be short for pomegranate, with the terms "jimmy" and "jimmigrant" also in use.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
Burwood Named Coolest Neighbourhood #1 in Australia & #16 Globally. Burwood has officially been named the coolest neighbourhood in Australia and #16 in the world, according to Time Out Magazine's global ranking.
Summer (December – February)
February is the wettest month (Receiving 184mm/7.2 inches on average), and short, tropical storms are common in the late afternoon and early evening.
Australia is one of those places where snowfall is rare, but some parts of the country have just been covered in a thick layer of the stuff. With some areas seeing it settle for the first time in 10 years, according to experts.