Sydney’s skyline is dominated by the two iconic landmarks, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Photos: Supplied.
Australia’s world-class attractions continue to shine, with three cities making the latest top 10 list of the world’s most liveable cities. The Global Liveability Index places Melbourne in fourth spot, followed by Sydney in sixth and Adelaide at ninth. Perth and Brisbane are at 15 and 16, respectively. These five Australian cities are among the 20 best cities to live in the world.
The 2025 edition evaluates 173 cities using 30 indicators across five broad categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Melbourne scored 97, Sydney 96.6 and Adelaide 95.9.
Securing the top spot in the tourism survey is Copenhagen, Denmark, toppling Vienna, Austria. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Copenhagen recorded perfect scores of 100 in three categories: stability, education and infrastructure. The performance helped it earn a score of 98, eclipsing Vienna, with 97.1 this year. Vienna tied for second place with Zurich, Switzerland.
Western Europe continues to dominate the list, with eight cities in the top 20, plus high scores overall. The report shows the Asia-Pacific region also does well, with nine cities in the top 20 list.
At the other extreme, Damascus in Syria remains the least liveable of the 173 cities surveyed, with Tripoli in Libya ranked just above it.
The survey results underscore Australia’s prominent destinations and unique experiences, drawing visitors from across the globe. Australia is known for many other points of interest, including swathes of tropical beaches, marine reserves, Aboriginal culture, adventure tourism, wildlife encounters and wine regions.
The identifiable skyline of Melbourne, which placed fourth in the Global Liveability Index, followed by Sydney in sixth and Adelaide ninth.
The Land Down Under attracts tourists with its diverse natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Great Ocean Road, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kangaroo Island and Daintree Rainforest; distinguished landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains National Park; and vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Moreover, Australia’s diverse attractions, the positive experiences of visitors, and the economic benefits of a thriving tourism sector are also reflected in how international visitors travel in Australia. This recognition is a testament to Australia’s dynamic tourism industry and its positive contribution to the economy.
Global tourism spend here continues to grow. The 2025 International Visitor Survey results, released by Tourism Research Australia, show a strong rebound in international tourism to Australia. We welcomed 7.7 million international visitors in the 12 months to the end of March 2025, up 7 per cent on 2024.
Spending by international visitors also reached a record $52.6 billion, a 12 per cent increase year-on-year. The top five visitor markets in the year ending March 2025 were New Zealand, China, the US, the UK and India. China saw the largest improvement on the previous year, with spend up by 28 per cent, trips to Australia up by 26 per cent and nights away up by 22 per cent on the year ending March 2024.
We all know about the two famous landmarks in Sydney/Warrane, NSW: the must-see masterpiece of modern architecture and the famed steel arch bridge offering spectacular views of the harbour and city. What’s stopping us from looking at alternative sightseeing potentials?
Adelaide’s recognisable skyline.
Why not just glide across the Sydney Harbour waters and explore the city’s conservation efforts with Sydney By Kayak’s Eco Tour, a two-hour guided paddle departing from Lavender Bay, a 20-minute drive from the city. Led by knowledgeable guides, vacationers explore marine conservation projects like Living Seawalls and Mangrove Nurseries, gaining insights into efforts to protect and restore Sydney’s aquatic ecosystems.
Step into the spotlight with Art Centre Melbourne’s Performing Arts Collection Tours, granting exclusive access to a treasure trove of Australian performance history. Just steps from Melbourne/Narrm’s city centre, visitors can dive into the collection’s vast archive of more than 850,000 items, spanning circus, dance, music, opera and theatre.
While in Adelaide/Tarntanya, embark on a premium sailing adventure aboard Brindabella, the iconic 1997 Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race winner, now offering bespoke experiences on South Australian waters for up to 36 guests.
Combining blue-water sailing with luxury hospitality, this historic maxi yacht delivers journeys from twilight cruises to full-day seafood feasts and overnight voyages to destinations like Kangaroo Island and Port Willunga. Every sail is hosted by owners Johnny Hilhorst and Brigid Dighton.
The positive experiences of travellers reinforce the island continent’s reputation as a must-visit destination. Let’s celebrate Australia’s tourism success!
