Best cities to visit in Oceania

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Oceania's world city offer is anchored almost entirely by Sydney and Melbourne, two cities with genuine international standing built around harbour geography, multicultural populations and food and culture scenes that operate at a level well above the region's overall scale. Both cities are consistently rated among the world's most liveable and reward extended stays that move beyond the obvious landmarks into the distinct neighbourhood characters that define each city's identity.

Food culture in both cities reflects significant Asian and Pacific immigration alongside strong local produce traditions, producing restaurant and market scenes of considerable variety and quality. The cities have distinct personalities and travellers with time for both will find them genuinely different experiences rather than interchangeable stops on the same itinerary.

Costs are in line with other developed world urban destinations and accommodation in central locations books out well in advance during peak season. The distance between the two cities is easily covered by a short flight or overnight train and most international itineraries comfortably include both. Beyond Sydney and Melbourne, the region's other urban centres offer a different and smaller-scale city experience rather than comparable world city depth.