The sixth largest country in the world and the largest one in Oceania, Australia, with its 7,688,287 square kilometres (almost the sum of the areas of the European Union and India), boasts a population of 26 million inhabitants (less than half the population of Italy).
Almost all of the inhabitants reside along the coast, where the biggest cities in Australia are located, the result of the European colonisation of Australia, which began when James Cook claimed the Australian continent for the British crown in 1770.
The 10 largest Australian cities
Among Australia’s major cities, many are now major metropolises, while others are still growing, transforming, and expanding. It is therefore interesting to analyse their development through the ranking of the 10 biggest Australian cities, starting with the most famous, Sydney.
1 – Sydney, the most densely populated city in Australia
The ranking of Australia’s 10 largest cities starts with Sydney, capital of the state of New South Wales and located on the country’s east coast. Its population – updated to 2023 and relating to Greater Sydney – is 5,450,496. Between 2011 and 2023, the number of residents in Australia’s most populous city grew by 18%.
A true multicultural metropolis, Sydney embodies one of the world’s most important artistic centres, and it is no coincidence that it is a must-see destination for those visiting Australia for the first time. From the Opera House, the city’s symbol, to the historic Harbour Bridge, a steel giant standing 134 metres above sea level, Sydney offers a wealth of architectural and cultural attractions, making it a top destination for international visitors.
2 – Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria
The second largest city in Australia is Melbourne, the capital of the State of Victoria. The conurbation informally called Greater Melbourne has a population of 5,207,145, placing Melbourne just behind Sydney. Melbourne’s population growth in recent years has also been enormous, with +24% between 2011 and 2023.
Known as the ‘cultural capital of Australia’, Melbourne is the birthplace of the national cinema and has been listed several times as the “world’s most liveable city” by The Economist. Its vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity attract people from around the globe.
3 – Brisbane, Queensland’s largest city
We move on to Queensland, Australia’s third largest city. The Greater Brisbane area had a population of 2,706,966 in 2023, a whopping 26% growth compared to 2011. Just like Sydney boasts the historic Harbour Bridge, Brisbane has the iconic Story Bridge.
The city is home to cultural centres of international importance, such as the continent’s largest art gallery, the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, which has theatres and concert halls. Brisbane’s name originates from the Brisbane River, which flows through the city into the ocean, enhancing its appeal for residents and visitors alike.
4 – Perth, the great city on the West Coast
With its 2,309,388 inhabitants, Perth is Australia’s fourth largest city. This large urban centre is located at the same latitude as Sydney but on the opposite coast. To give an idea, there is a distance of 3,700 kilometres between the two cities, more than the distance between Palermo and Stockholm.
Perth is the only major city on Australia’s west coast, which is sparsely populated and largely untamed. Popular with nature enthusiasts, Perth boasts attractions like Kings Park, one of the world’s largest urban parks, its stunning coral reefs, and Rottnest Island, located just offshore.
5 – Adelaide, capital of the State of South Australia
We now move to the south of Australia, where we find Adelaide and its 1,446,380 inhabitants. Named by colonisers in honour of Queen Adelaide of Saxony-Meiningen, wife of Wilhelm IV, Adelaide is often referred to as the “city of churches” due to its many religious buildings. This peaceful city combines a rich cultural heritage with understated elegance, offering a quintessential Australian urban experience.
6 – Canberra, the capital of Australia
Finally, in sixth place, we find the capital of Australia, Canberra, which is far from being the largest city in the country. In fact, here we are referring not only to the urban centre of Canberra, but rather to the Australian Capital Territory, which also includes part of Queanbeyan: the population of this area is 466,566. Canberra is Australia’s largest inland city, located 300 kilometres from Sydney and 650 kilometres from Melbourne.
It was specifically planned to be the country’s capital and was designed in the early 20th century by Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin.
7 – Hobart, the capital of Tasmania
With Hobart, “we get out of” mainland Australia to reach the island of Tasmania, of which it is the capital. The total population is 253,654, making it an unmissable base from which to explore this large island in the south of Australia. Key attractions in the city include the Museum of Old and New Art, a renowned cultural institution.
8 – Wollongong, or The Gong
In eighth position in the top 10 biggest Australian cities ranking is Wollongong, also informally called The Gong. This New South Wales city is located 85 kilometres from Sydney and is renowned for its heavy industry, harbour, and rich mining history.
9 – Newcastle, another major city in New South Wales
We go back to New South Wales: the city of Newcastle has a total population of 168,873. Since 1937, the municipality of Newcastle has been united with 10 other municipalities to form the “City of Greater Newcastle”.
10 – Darwin, the northern town
Finally, we move north to the city of Darwin, with a population of 150,736. Isolated from the big Australian cities, it is often chosen by tourists as a starting point for driving along the Stuart Highway, the very long road that crosses the country from north to south (passing also through Alice Springs) to get to Adelaide. Darwin’s tropical climate and proximity to iconic national parks, such as Kakadu, make it an adventurous destination for travellers.
Updated: 30/01/2025
