12 Best Areas in Australia to Live for Families

Moving to Australia is the dream life for many people looking to switch their current lives for the sun-stroked haven on the opposite side of the world. A place with stunning beaches, long coastlines and coral-fringed bays, it’s no surprise that Australia is a popular destination for families looking for a new destination.

Are you looking to take your family on a new adventure? Look no further as we explore the best areas in Australia where you can move your family to the ultimate new dream destination for the rest of your life. Continue reading to find out more!

Best Areas in Australia to Live for Families

Finding the perfect place to relocate your family can be a big challenge, as there are so many different options to choose from. Let’s take a look at why Australia is your best choice:

1. Sydney

The most populated city in Australia, Sydney has it all. If you’re a family that loves tourist attractions and exploring the big cities then this will be one of the best areas in Australia to live. There’s more to the city than the wonderful attractions, as it’s also a great destination for job and school opportunities, compared to the rest of the country.

Best Time to Move There

There is never a bad time to move to Sydney, but if you are bringing children with you, you might want to keep a tight eye on the academic schedule.

Main Attractions

• The Sydney Opera House
• Harbour Bridge
• Darling Harbour
• Sydney Tower Eye

The Best Restaurants

• Aria Restaurant
• Restaurant Hubert
• AALIA Restaurant
• Luna Lu

2. Melbourne

Similar to Sydney, Melbourne is a very populated city with a lot of job and school opportunities. However, while Sydney is the face of Australia, Melbourne has more of an artistic soul and is seen as a cooler place to live. The city has plenty of diversity and is welcoming for a bunch of different families. It’s also a great location for family parking, as there are plenty of city centre car parks.

Best Time to Move There

Moving to Melbourne from September to November will give you very pleasant temperatures (9 to 20 degrees) to enjoy a whole range of activities as soon as you make the move.

Main Attractions

• National Gallery of Victoria
• Melbourne Skydeck
• Shrine of Remembrance
• Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Best Restaurants

• Osteria Ilaria
• NOMAD Melbourne
• Tipo 00
• Bistrot d’Orsay

3. Brisbane

One of the more affordable big cities of Australia, Brisbane has become a home buyers paradise as families can purchase homes for a much lower price than the other main cities. It’s one of the best areas in Australia to live as it’s the perfect balance between lifestyle and opportunity. There is so much beautiful scenery, exotic wildlife and special residencies for your family to enjoy.

Best Time to Move There

Moving to Brisbane before the start of the Australian school year (late January) will give your children the best opportunity to get into one of the great schools in the city.

Main Attractions

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• South Bank Parklands
• Story Bridge
• Streets Beach

The Best Restaurants

• Exhibition Restaurant
• La Vue Waterfront Restaurant
• Massimo Restaurant & Bar
• Rothwell’s Bar & Grill

4. Perth

If you’re a family that is after a chilled out and relaxed environment, Perth might be one of the best areas to live in Australia. There is more to it than that though, as it is a naturally beautiful place with plenty of unique amenities that other parts of Australia don’t have.

It’s consistently ranked as one of the safest places to live in the country, which makes it ideal for families. There is also a great sense of community in the city.

Best Time to Move There

Moving to Peth during the Autumn will offer you good weather with warm oceans, with plenty of activities to do as soon as your family makes the move.

Main Attractions

• Queens Park and Botanic Park
• Perth Zoo
• Elizabeth Quay
• Cottesloe Beach

The Best Restaurants

• Kisa’s
• Deans Restaurant
• Effies of Perth
• Balthazar

5. Adelaide

There are so many family-friendly amenities in Adelaide that will offer your family a great quality of life. Adding to this, there is also a high standard of education in the city with many high-profile schools and universities for your children to be enrolled in. It’s also a very beautiful city to live in with many parks, gardens and blue water beaches for you to enjoy.

Best Time to Move There

March to May and September through November are the best time to make the move to Adelaide, as this is during the city’s fall and spring.

Main Attractions

• Adelaide Central Market
• Adelaide Oval
• Art Gallery of South Australia
• Himeji Garden

The Best Restaurants

• Part Time Lover
• Golden Boy
• Peel St
• Le Pas Sage

6. Canberra

Many people aren’t aware of Canberra being the capital city of Australia. Despite this, it’s well-renowned for its strong education and family-central focus. There are plenty of different areas you can move your family to within the city for a whole range of different needs.

For example, the city center is for families seeking adventure whereas the leafy suburbs offer a strong sense of community.

Best Time to Move There

Moving to Canberra after the end of September will offer warmer weather and you will have missed the worst of the winter.

Main Attractions

• Australian War Memorial
• National Zoo & Aquarium
• National Arboretum
• Mount Ainslie Lookout

The Best Restaurants

• Raku
• Wilma
• Les Bistronomes
• Onzieme

7. Hobart

Hobart is very underrated as it’s one of the best areas in Australia to live. It offers an amazing quality of life for people of all ages and there is a great sense of community in the Tasmanian city.

There are excellent naturistic elements that are both beautiful and interesting, making it a great place for families who are used to the countryside. Hobart also offers high-quality private and public school options.

Best Time to Move There

Hobart’s summertime weather is warm and pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities and discovering the natural beauty of the city.

Main Attractions

• Salamanca Market
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
• Mount Wellington
• MONA

The Best Restaurants

• Landscape Restaurant & Grill
• Bar Wa Izakaya
• Urban Greek
• Aloft

8. Darwin

The Northern Territorial capital city, Darwin is one of the best areas in Australia to live for families. It offers a unique laid-back lifestyle with a large variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. The coastal areas of the city are beautiful and offer a tropical feel that is difficult to match.

A variety of outdoor pursuits are available for families, such as swimming, fishing and seeing the breathtaking national parks.

Best Time to Move There

Between May and October are generally considered comfortable months to move to Darwin.

Main Attractions

• Waterfront Precinct
• RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility
• Mindil Beach
• Berry Springs Nature Park

The Best Restaurants

• MERAKI Greek Taverna
• Moorish Cafe
• Fat Tuna Darwin
• Nonna Dumplings

9. Gold Coast

The Gold Coast in Queensland is famous for its long coastal line, but it also has a lot of family-friendly attractions. Several theme parks in the city are perfect for a nice day out, as well as plenty of coastal activities like surfing and swimming on one of the best beaches in Australia. In addition, there are plenty of high-performing schools and three universities that are perfect for families with children.

Best Time to Move There

The weather is fantastic all year round but March/April is particularly lovely.

Main Attractions

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Warner Bros. Movie World
• Surfers Paradise Beach
• HOTA

The Best Restaurants

• Little Truffle
• The North Room
• Jimmy Wah’s
• Fig and Frankie’s

10. Newcastle

Newcastle is Australia’s fourth cheapest city to live in, making it one of the best areas in Australia to live for families. The average cost of living is 60 percent lower than in Sydney.

Living in this historic Australian city will make you feel at home, as there are plenty of excellent schools and friendly residents.

Best Time to Move There

January to March or July to September would be the most beneficial time to move to Newcastle for families.

Main Attractions

• Newcastle Memorial Walk
• Bogey Hole
• Merewether Beach
• Speers Point Park

The Best Restaurants

• Light Years
• Rustica Newcastle Beach
• Lock’s Paddock
• HUMBUG

11. Cairns

Known as one of the exotic paradises of the country, Cairns is perfect for families seeking plenty of coastal activities to enjoy. There is a lot of charm to the city with an array of pleasant neighborhoods to choose from for the ultimate family-based experience.

Families can also experience a large range of recreational activities in Cairns, including parks, playgrounds and cultural events.

Best Time to Move There

From May to October, the dry season is the most popular time to move to Cairns.

Main Attractions

• Cairns Aquarium
• The Esplanade Lagoon
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Palm Cove Beach

The Best Restaurants

• Yaya’s Hellenic Kitchen and Bar
• Pist4cchi
• Falafellicious
• Yama Zaru Izakaya

12. Broome

Famous for being a multicultural haven, Broome’s community is known for its laid-back lifestyle and pervasive love of the seaside and desert.

For the whole family, this will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience, regardless of how long you plan to live. Broome offers some of the country’s most breathtaking sunsets, making it one of the best areas in Australia to live.

Best Time to Move There

May to October is a great place to move to Broome, as there will be less rainfall.

Main Attractions

• Reddell Beach
• Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
• Gantheaume Point
• Staircase to the Moon Night Markets

The Best Restaurants

• The Food Lab
• DMK – The Kitchen
• Cichetti Club
• Papa Fuego

Final Thoughts

When searching for the best areas in Australia to live for families, you must consider several factors including the cost of housing, community involvement, education, safety and healthcare. Find the ideal place for your family by taking the time to investigate and visit each one of the cities on our list; each has its own set of special charms and advantages.

Frequently Asked Questions