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Home » Destinations » Australia » Sydney vs Melbourne

Sydney vs Melbourne

June 12, 2014 By Jennifer Johnston 4 Comments

Last updated 16 October 2014

Sydney vs Melbourne

Good Old Fashioned Rivalry, or something more?

Feel a gathering of emotions when you see three innocent words on a page?  Note the “vs” discreetly tucked between Sydney and Melbourne. Such an insignificant abbreviation, but reading those two letters, immediately conjures a strong, emotive word: RIVALRY.

Aussies love rivalry. In so many facets of our everyday lives Aussies eat, breathe and live for rivalry.

Where does your mind run to, when you see these two cities in print?

What about sport? Narrow the wide choices down to football. One of the biggest rivalries Aussies will forever debate: which code of foot ball is greater?

NRL vs Aussie Rules?

Ask a die-hard bulldog supporter decked in their blue and white, which game is greater? There won’t be a pause in their response, “Aussie Rules – is a game for sissies.”

Locate a zealous Collingwood supporter and there will be public outcry against the game they “claim” to play above the border – brandishing it a game played by “thugs”.

 There is Rivalry in their pseudonym: The Harbour City vs the Latte City.

Rivalry in Natural attractions: The Blue Mountains vs the Twelve Apostles (ok, there are less than Twelve standing, but I always refer to them as Twelve!)

Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles

In Sydney, Paddington’s tree lined streets full of cafes, where visiting Melbournites argue the coffee is not worth drinking. As opposed to the Laneways in Melbourne’s CBD, where a chai latte is considered by Sydneysiders is brewed with less sunny love.

Then there is the beach rivalry: Bondi Beach where reality TV shows are filmed, vs St Kilda Beach, where the Pier and little Penguins draw a moderate crowd.

Paddling to Bondi Beach

Paddling to Bondi Beach

St Kilda Sunset

St Kilda Sunset

 

As a Queenslander, I take the neutral position known as Switzerland. Neither city is superior.  Each city provides differences and nuances and its those which depending on your mood and desires at the time, will draw you to one city over the other.

Maybe that’s why Canberra was chosen as the Nation’s capital – to halt the ongoing debate over which city deserved the accolade of das Kapital.

This raises another question, Aussies would feel the need to contest:

What’s so wonderful about Canberra vs Sydney or Melbourne?

 

Hmmmmm, another time ……………………

 

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Why have me write for you? Tagged With: #Sydney, Australian Beaches, Australian Capital Cities, Melbourne, nature, outdoors, traditional rivalry, travel

Comments

  1. Julia Serafina says

    June 20, 2014 at 1:32 am

    Hi Jenn, I loved this post… the “The Harbour City vs the Latte City”… that made me smile.. Both cities are great places to visit… although I am not too sure I would like to live in Sydney (too many road tolls.. ha ha) however, I do love walking around the Harbour, Sydney Opera House and Chinese Gardens, in summer time. Melbourne on the other hand, is always a favorite of mine… there so much to do and see in Melbourne…e.g. Melbourne Museum, Eureka Skye Deck, The Ice Bar, Melbourne Aquarium, the Chinese Museum in Chinatown and the Southbank Promenade – the home to some of the best restaurants… And so many quirky and fabulous lane ways and arcades to immerse yourself in for a day of shopping…. yes, I am definitely partial to good latte in a quirky lane way cafe. 🙂

  2. Jenn Jay says

    June 21, 2014 at 3:51 am

    Hi Julia, You seem to know Melbourne very well – I need to return and make some more discoveries – and write more tales. I love both cities too and for different reasons. Happy to visit either any time of the year!

  3. Eastcoast Sailing says

    January 9, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    Totally agree, both cities have their own unique appeal to visitors and would recommend nothing less but to visit both. Great post!

  4. Jennifer Johnston says

    January 24, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    Thank-you – and agreed to visit both (if there is time) is a must!

    Jennifer

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