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Top Cities in Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific: Readers’ Picks 2025

Barbara Griffin05 mins

Top Cities in Australia and New Zealand: An Insight into the Best Travel Destinations

“Please go there!” This comment from a voter sums up how GoTravelDaily readers feel about Sydney, the city they’ve consistently chosen as the best in Australia for the past 23 years. The enticing beaches near the city center and the warm, friendly people contribute to the city’s appeal. With compact neighborhoods, an innovative restaurant scene, and stunning architecture, including the iconic Opera House, Sydney continues to impress. One visitor shared, “I got to take a selfie with a koala, and my life was complete.”

Each year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily invites readers to share their travel experiences worldwide, evaluating cities based on sights, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.

However, Sydney isn’t the only city shining in the southern hemisphere. Melbourne offers many of the same attractions, featuring fascinating architecture, world-class dining, and proximity to stunning coastlines. It also has a vibrant street-art scene, which adds a unique charm. As one reader noted, “I loved Melbourne, especially the people. I stopped someone on the street to ask for directions and spent 15 minutes talking with them.”

New Zealand continues to captivate travelers drawn by its awe-inspiring landscapes showcased in films like The Lord of the Rings and A Wrinkle in Time. Queenstown, situated on Lake Wakatipu, is an all-year paradise for adventure enthusiasts, offering skiing, jet boating, ziplining, and bungee jumping. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is known for its multicultural identity, while Wellington, the capital city, serves as the country’s creative heart, buzzing with an exciting food scene, craft breweries, and intriguing museums like Te Papa that feature a rich cultural history. As one reader mentioned, “There are many little suburbs and districts to experience.” Let’s examine how these remarkable cities scored.

5. Wellington, New Zealand

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Score: 79.21

4. Auckland, New Zealand

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Score: 80.17

3. Queenstown, New Zealand

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Score: 82.85

2. Melbourne

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Score: 83.47

1. Sydney

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Score: 85.25

“Make sure you get in the water!” wrote one reader about Australia’s top city. Sydney offers a myriad of options, whether it’s from a scenic harbor cruise or enjoying the lively atmosphere at Bondi Beach. However, don’t overlook the remarkable land offerings. As one voter expressed, “I spend a long weekend in Sydney at least once a year. I love running in the Botanic Garden, dining at Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, attending events at the opera, and visiting museums. Typically, I make a point to visit Shelly Beach for lunch and a swim. Consequently, Sydney provides a wealth of experiences beyond my usual activities.”

Explore more of our readers’ favorite destinations in the World’s Best Awards.

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Top 5 Must-Visit Cities in Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific (2025)

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After 23 years atop the regional throne, Sydney has been unseated as readers’ favorite city in Oceania. Granted, the capital of New South Wales didn’t fall far — it’s still No. 2, thanks to its “mix of cultures and cosmopolitan feel,” as one fan described it. Another visitor remarked on the ease of getting around and how many activities could be squeezed into a short time frame: “They have an excellent transportation system as well. We only had three days and took time to ride the ferries, tour the Opera House, see the Rocks, walk the Harbour Bridge.”

World’s Best Awards Overview

Every year, GoTravelDaily conducts a survey asking readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe, sharing their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and much more. Readers rated cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.

Cities Making the List

Melbourne (No. 3) and Perth (No. 4) also secured spots on this year’s list, thanks to their genuinely welcoming locals and the ways that recent urban growth has fueled their rich culture and culinary scenes. “It has exploded in all good ways,” one reader wrote of Melbourne. Another gushed, “There is nothing that didn’t exceed my expectations.” Even as new hotels emerge in Perth and tourism booms, it’s still “a pleasant city that feels like a small town.”

As dominant as Australia may appear, it didn’t snag every spot. Wellington, New Zealand (No. 5) captured readers’ hearts with its ambience. “It’s got such a great vibe that walking around without a plan is nice enough,” wrote one reader. Another praised the ability to experience nature firsthand with “bird-watching tours, zip-lining that includes education about the indigenous birds and invasive predators, tree-top walking platforms, and good kayaking.”

Top Cities in Oceania

5. Wellington, New Zealand

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Score: 80.47

4. Perth, Australia

Bruce Aspley/Getty Images

Score: 82.10

3. Melbourne, Australia

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WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 83.88

2. Sydney, Australia

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WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 84.92

1. Queenstown, New Zealand

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Score: 84.96

Set on a lake in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island, this petite city is highly esteemed by readers. “It’s a great place to walk, with loads of restaurants (great seafood) and sights on the harbor,” wrote one visitor. “The views of the mountains were spectacular. We did a wine tour of the area, which was wonderful and covered both large and small vineyards. One of our favorite towns in the country.” The breathtaking scenery captured many hearts — one person called it “the best part of my trip,” while another expressed, “I would move here if given the chance!”

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