Introduction
The two largest cities in Australia have largely created a historic rivalry from the earliest days of British colonization as a predominantly penal colony in the modern nation of Australia. When most of the region was part of New South Wales, the penal colony had largely determined the communities of Melbourne (in present-day Victoria) and Sydney (remaining with the State of New South Wales). As the two cities have effectively always been relatively close in population, the City of Canberra has become the stopgap city intended to serve the role of the capital city in Australia, with an intentional urban form that prefers gardens throughout the area of the modern Australian Capital Territory enclave of New South Wales.
Geography
Both the Cities of Melbourne and Sydney are located along the ocean. However, the specific oceans associated with either city are different, with Melbourne ultimately leading toward the Southern Ocean while Sydney ultimately leads toward the South Pacific Ocean. Melbourne is located on the north shore of Port Philip, where the Sorrento Peninsula out to Fort Nepean separates the community from the Bass Strait and thus from the modern island of Tasmania. In comparison, the City of Sydney is located nearer the Tasman Sea portion of the South Pacific Ocean, with the associated Welsh Bay defining the city.
Flood Warning during Upload Time
As of the early morning on January 19, 2026, portions of the Australian coast north of Sydney are impacted by the Narrabeen floods. If you are impacted by the current Narrabeen floods, then please exercise the precautions that have been advised to—and for—you and your area.
Attractions — Melbourne
Within the City of Melbourne, the most significant of attractions include, but are not limited to, the Shrine of Remembrance, the King George V Monument, the Immigration Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Skydeck, and a number of urban contemporary art exhibits and installations. The Scienceworks Museum of Victoria and the University of Melbourne are also highly associated with the city and surrounding area.
Attractions — Sydney
Located further to the northeast along the coastline of Australia, the South Pacific City of Sydney is most notable for the architecture identified within the Sydney Opera House. Besides the Sydney Opera House, the City of Sydney is also home to the Chau Chak Wing Museum, the University of Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Sydney Tower Eye, the Australian Museum, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, and the Hyde Park Barracks, just to name a few. On the west side of the city, Sydney is also home to the Sydney Bus Museum, while the central city is also home to the Australian National Maritime Museum, the SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for urban interests.
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