Last Updated: November 1, 2021
Sydney Vs. Brisbane (Where To Live or Holiday)
If you’re planning a trip to Australia then you’re probably debating between visiting the east coast or the west coast, and chances are you’re heading east to either Sydney or Brisbane but which one will suit you better?
Sydney and Brisbane are, without doubt, the two biggest cities on the east coast of Australia, and they both have a lot to offer so choosing between them isn’t such an easy task, luckily that’s what we are here to help you out with.
Join me as we take a dive into Sydney vs Brisbane to discover their differences and similarities so you can pick the right east coast Australian city for your next visit to Oz.
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Things To Do
Sydney
Sydney isn’t the official capital of Australia but it’s certainly the business and cultural capital and that means there is loads to do whether you’re a tourist or a local, and it beats a lot of the other Australian cities hands down in this respect.
Sydney is full of iconic sights that most people associate with Australia and passing them by while you’re in town would be a crime. Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a must as it provides a wonderful view of the city and at night it’s lit up with colorful lights, so you should probably go twice.
A walk around or catching a show at the Sydney Opera House is another experience that should be at the top of your to-do list and heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cockatoo Island which showcases the labor and administration of convict labor.
Outside of the sights, you can fill your days in Sydney with trips to the Taronga Zoo, the massive Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, and have a great picnic on the water’s edge at the Botanical Gardens. You’ll also find a great number of art galleries and museums to spend your time at in the city.
Another thing to do that is highly recommended is taking a cruise around Sydney to see it from the water. Sydney is built on an estuary and surrounded by water with channels running all around the city, and there is no better way to see it in all its glory than on a cruise.
Sydney is also home to some amazing beaches and national parks, so you can mix up your days between seeing the sights in the city and having some relaxing time in nature.
Brisbane
Brisbane doesn’t quite have the iconic sights that Sydney has but it’s still a happening city with a lot of things to do. If there is one part of Brisbane you should visit it’s South Bank.
South Banks sits along the banks of the Brisbane River and is a melting of music, arts, culture, and great food. As you walk along the banks of the river you’ll see open-air cafes and bars full of locals having a good time, often with live music playing outside them.
There is a man-made beach called Streets Beach adjacent to the Brisbane River where you can hang out on the sand, tan, and enjoy a dip, plus there are some great galleries, museums, and markets in the area too.
The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in South Bank should be top of your list to visit if you love art. It’s thought of as one of the best galleries in Australia with over 16,000 pieces of historical, modern, and contemporary art.
Just down the road is The Queensland Museum which is the best place to learn about the history of Queensland from a natural perspective and how it was slowly colonized.
The eco collective market of South Bank is a swarm of energy and loads of fun to walk around. You’ll find it on Stanley Street Plaza and it’s full of stalls selling everything you could imagine from second-hand vintage clothes to jewelry and electronics.
Once you have had your fun at South Bank you can explore what the rest of the city has to offer. A must-see is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which rescues and rehabilitates these adorable animals, and a trip to the Botanical Gardens and the Roma Street Parkland is also worth a shot. And you should definitely check out the amazing view of the city from the top of Story Bridge.
Verdict
When it comes to Brisbane vs Sydney and things to do, Sydney takes the cake. There is a lot more going on in Sydney between all the waterways and beaches, plus the iconic landmarks add a lot to each day of exploring.
That being said, you’re not going to get bored in Brisbane, with its plethora of galleries, museums, and artsy cafes and markets.
What’s the food scene like?
Sydney
Sydney’s food scene is very much alive, kicking, and diverse. You can pretty much find every type of cuisine on the planet in this metropolitan city and have foody experiences while doing so.
Brunch is a big deal in Sydney and they have almost perfected it, and having brunch by the beach and washing down with some bloody marys is something you have to do if you want to feel like a true local whilst you’re there.
You can also find some unique offerings in Sydney such as having dinner inside an old steam train, blending and tasting your own gin, and lots more. The upmarket options are fantastic and you should hed to Mr Wong, China Doll, or Tetsuya’s for some sensational Asian food and Coya, LuMi, or Felix for modern Australian tucker.
You’ll pay a lot at upmarket restaurants in Sydney and if you’re looking for delicious affordable meals, you’re in the wrong city. They do exist but they are not publicized so meet some friendly locals and get some recommendations.
Every October, Sydney plays host to the International Food Festival where you can try amazing flavors and dishes from across the world, so be sure to visit them if you’re a big foodie.
Brisbane
Brisbane’s food scene wasn’t even on the map for a while but, since then, quite a bit of money went into the city’s development and the food scene has truly boomed.
Brisbane’s foodie vibes it’s starting to look like it could be a contender with the likes of Melbourne and Sydney, which are known for being the best foodie cities in the country. The restaurant scene in Brisbane has diversified and improved considerably and you can find great food from all parts of the world.
One foodie spot in Brisbane that has risen to fame of late is The Good Grocer which won the 2015 Produce Award winner for Outstanding Food Store. The Good Grocer is laid out like a market and it’s one of the best places in Brisbane to find fresh organic produce, amazing artisanal bread, flowers, and fresh milk straight from a cows teet but it also serves great food for lunch too.
Another Brisbane hotspot to eat at, especially if you’re getting ready for a night of partying is Kwan Brothers. Kwan Brothers is known to have some of the top Asian Street Food in Australia and it’s all served up around a great party atmosphere. Try the double-cooked pork belly and prepare to be weak in the knees.
These are just two of the up-and-comers of the Brisbane foodie scene and there is lots more to explore, so don’t worry, if you’re looking for something specific to eat one night, you’ll find it.
Verdict
If you’re into your fine dining, then Sydney definitely trumps Brisbane in this category. There is just more to choose from and the restaurants are well established and known to deliver to the highest quality. Brisbane is great for casual dining with great-tasting food that is more affordable, something Sydney is lacking.
Nightlife
Sydney
Sydney has a buzzing nightlife when it comes to bars and beer gardens. From Thursday to Sunday, the locals are out and about having a good time. You can find amazing bars and beer gardens everywhere from the harbor to the inner west, and some of the waterside venues are excellent.
The clubbing scene in Sydney used to be pretty amazing. You could head to Kings Cross on a Friday night and dance nonstop until Sunday lunchtime. Unfortunately, Lockout Laws were put in place due to the consistent violence that used to take place during the small hours which means establishments have to stop serving drinks at 1:30 am.
This kind of killed the clubbing scene but you can still find DJs playing at venues where you can have a good dance, just be prepared to leave earlier than you would in other cities. The rule is being changed soon to 3:30 am so maybe we’ll see a resurgence of the clubbing scene that used to be.
Great venues to head to include Oxford Art Factory, Soda Factory, Boogie Mountain, Flamingo Lounge, and Darling Harbour which is Sydneys original superclub with 3 floors of different music and 2,500 person capacity.
Brisbane
Brisbane has a booming nightlife and whether it’s trendy bars, late-night club nights, or wanting to have a few drinks looking over the river with your mates, it has everything to offer.
Fortitude Valley is the entertainment precinct and at night it’s alive with live bands and pumping music. The Tivoli, The Zoo, and The Triffid are excellent live music venues in Fortitude Valley but if it’s clubs you’re looking for, head to Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar in the Valley or The Met which has three different floors of music playing every Thursday to Sunday.
Since the weather in Brisbane is so good all the time, it’s full of awesome rooftop bars. Elixir has a great vibe with nice decor while MAYA Mexican has amazing views of the city.
If you’re into your clubs, then a trip to Cloudland is a must. Cloudland is a two-story venue that attracts some of the best DJs around and the interior is to die for. Think hanging plants, vertical gardens, chandeliers, that all come together in this grand space.
When you’re in the mood for a chilled spot by the river, Eagle Street Pier is the place to be. It’s full of bars and restaurants with great drinks and a huge terrace with tables outside overlooking the water.
Verdict
When it comes to nightlife and Sydney vs Brisbane, they are pretty much equal as they are both home to amazing venues and great DJs, you’ll have just as good a time in one than the other, but you might have to go home a little earlier in Sydney is all.
Outdoor Fun
Sydney
As I already mentioned, Sydney is built on an estuary and is right by the sea which means you’ll kind of feel like you’re in the outdoors while walking around it. Between all the waterways, gardens, and nature, Sydney is a very green city with loads of opportunities to have fun in the outdoors.
The best green spaces in Sydney include the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park as they are on the harbor and have amazing views across the water. While you’re in Sydney a trip to the Centennial Park which is just next to Bondi and Bronte beaches is also a great way to spend time in nature.
Sydney also has some amazing beaches, two of which I have just mentioned. If you love fishing, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing or even hiking, then the white sand beaches and crystal blue seas around the Sydney coastline are an awesome place to hang out.
If you’re willing to venture outside of the city limits of Sydney, then head over to one of the 5 national parks that and with an hour’s drive and enjoy some hiking and camping to get away from the city buzz.
Brisbane
Brisbane is a great city to spend time enjoying the outdoors in and there is a diverse range of activities on offer, from hiking to climbing and lots more.
A trip to the Brisbane Botanical Gardens on the western outskirts of the city is a lovely way to spend a day picnicking and walking around looking at the stunning plants and trees.
From the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, you’ll find hiking trails that will take you onto Mt Coot-tha where you can enjoy some bushwalking, hike to the summit for amazing views over the city, and see Simpson Falls. You can also mountain bike around all the trails here too.
For a little time on the water, head to Riverlife Stand-up Paddle Boarding where you can hire a SUP and take to the Brisban river and enjoy some time paddling around and seeing the sights from the water.
Another fun thing to do, if you’re brave enough is to join Dizzying Heights for an adventure climb up the Story Bridge. It’s quite an interesting way to see the city while scaling its most famous bridge.
Verdict
When it comes to the outdoors and Sydney vs Brisbane, Sydney is the clear winner in my eyes. While the outdoor things on offer in both cities are quite similar, Sydney has easily accessible beaches that are stunning while getting to a pretty beach from Brisbane requires a day trip.
The Weather
Sydney
Sydney has great weather all year round, even the winters are very manageable. The winters in Sydney are warm falling to 8°C on average and hitting a maximum of 17°C and, so you’ll never be too hot and never too cold either.
In the summertime, Sydney has a maximum temperature of 26°C on average and a low of 19°C meaning it’s delightfully warm and not too hot. Heatwaves are hitting Sydney more and more often and they can push the temperatures to over 30°C making it almost too hot to be out during the day, which is a shame.
Sydney is quite wet with an average of around 8 days a month of rainfall all year round, there isn’t really a dry season and when the rain arrives it sticks around and doesn’t get blown away quickly.
Brisbane
The climate in Brisbane is a lot more tropical than that of Sydney and it makes sense since it’s further north. Summers see temperatures of 21°C to 30°C like Sydney but it’s very humid and sticky at this time of year, especially when you add the 9-10 days of rain Brisbane gets in the summer every month.
Winters in Brisbane are very mild and the temperatures range from 10°C to 22°C, meaning it doesn’t ever feel like winter. Winter is also the dry season in Brisbane with just 3-4 days a month of rain on average making it a lot less humid.
Brisbane is generally a lot wetter than Sydney but not by much, though as it always gets around 8-10 days of rain a month until the three-month dry season hits over winter, which is a little better than Sydney.
Verdict
Sydney and Brisbane have very similar weather the key difference is that Brisbane is terribly humid and wet in the summer while Sydney is a bit wet but not humid at all. In winter, Brisbane is a lot warmer and drier than Sydney.
If you’re coming to Australia in summer, stick to Sydney, if you arrive in winter, Brisbane will be a lot more pleasant to be in.
The Verdict – Sydney vs Brisbane
Choosing between Sydney vs Brisbane isn’t easy but I’d have to sway towards Sydney personally. I love spending time in the sea and Sydney is the best place out of the two for it. Not to mention Sydney also has a lot more going on in terms of things to do, sights to see, and a better food scene.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
