What makes the 3 Australian cities included among the best in the world to live in so attractive?

Lists of the world's most livable and happiest cities are often dominated by European countries, but perhaps it's time to look to Australia.

This year, three Australian cities made it into the top ten of the Economist Intelligence Unit 's Most Liveable Cities index, with Adelaide joining Melbourne and Sydney for the first time.

This comes as no surprise to Australians, who have long enjoyed a high quality of life.

They point to the combination of the advantages of big cities (galleries, shows, sports, diverse cuisine) with Australia's iconic natural beauty as the formula for success.

"Australia has a deep respect for nature. Lunch breaks can include a swim, weekdays can include an outdoor movie, and weekends are about enjoying farmers' markets full of food so good it barely needs cooking," says Andrea Seifert, senior director of communications at Eight Communications, who grew up in Europe and Asia and recently moved to Sydney.

"This kind of access to nature and culture is rare!" he says.

This is also reflected in a culture where residents work to live—rather than live to work.

"The lifestyle here is just more relaxed. Not necessarily cheaper, but there's a different mentality," says Cheryl Monkhouse, who now lives in Adelaide and works at SeaLink Marine & Tourism after spending most of her life in the United States.

"People take vacations, and free time is not only expected, it's respected. Four weeks of vacation a year is the norm, not the exception," he says.

Another highlight is the national healthcare system, especially compared to the US, where employers are not required to offer health insurance to employees and their families. When they don't receive benefits through work, many end up not purchasing insurance on their own—and the country doesn't have a free public healthcare system.

"In Australia, there is a sense of security in knowing that you and your family are covered, regardless of your employment status," he says.

To understand what makes these Australian cities so livable, I spoke to residents about the factors that most impact their day-to-day quality of life.

Melbourne: Multicultural, Caffeinated, and Passionate About Sports

Melbourne, the highest-ranked Australian city and fourth in the world, received perfect scores in education and healthcare, surpassing Sydney and Adelaide with its high scores in culture and environment.

Residents point to its cultural diversity as a major attraction.

"The people, the food, the lifestyle… Melbourne is very multicultural," says Dani Feludu, the daughter of European parents and born in Melbourne.

"My husband is Nigerian. My best friend is Indian. I live on the outskirts, not in the center, and I can walk 10 minutes from home to restaurants serving Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Korean, and Turkish food. The list goes on!" she says.

Australia's most populous city ranked sixth on the index, with perfect scores in education and healthcare, as well as excellent ratings in infrastructure, culture and the environment.

Locals often mention that Sydney combines the dynamism of a major global metropolis with a lifestyle connected to nature.

"What I like most is the balance. You get all the benefits of a big city—good food, art, culture, and job opportunities—but with easy access to nature," explains Sydney resident Liam Duffy.

"I can be in a lively cafe one moment and, the next, I'll be at the beach or hiking in a national park. The lifestyle here is very healthy and deeply rooted," he adds.

The Bondi neighborhood, in particular, is known for its strong wellness culture, which contributes to Sydney's enviable quality of life.

"I'm usually at the beach by 5 a.m. for a run or workout with friends, followed by a quick dip in the ocean, a sauna and ice bath, and a coffee—all before 7 a.m.," says Alice Moore, director of communications agency Élysée Collective.

Visitors can experience this lifestyle by taking the famous Bondi to Bronte walk, a 2.5km coastal trail that passes some of the city's best beaches and is dotted with trendy cafes and bars along the way.

In addition to the city's 1,500 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails, Sydney's well-planned and easily accessible infrastructure also makes it more livable.

"Public transportation is good, the health care system is reliable, and the city is generally safe and clean," says Duffy.

Like Melbourne, Sydney boasts a diverse culinary offering that includes affordable haute cuisine, with Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Greek, and Turkish cuisine.

The new Sydney Fish Market will open this year featuring Australia's best seafood and is expected to attract around six million visitors a year (more than double the current number).

"You'll be able to enjoy fresh shrimp, oysters, and lobsters right there, where the fishing boats arrive every day," says Amanda Bolger, general director of Luxury Escapes.

To get the most out of the city, she recommends taking a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly.

"You'll get a different perspective of Sydney from the water and, in essence, you'll enjoy a budget-friendly cruise on Sydney Harbour," he says, also encouraging a stroll through Manly before boarding the ferry back.

"Don't forget to grab a spot on the outside deck for that Instagram-worthy photo with the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in the background."

Adelaide: the discreet winner

Adelaide, which rose two places in the rankings since 2024 to enter the top 10 for the first time, saw its progress mainly due to strong growth in culture and the environment.

As the capital and most populous city in South Australia, Adelaide receives high marks from residents for being a "great country town," with an excellent combination of access to nature and comprehensive infrastructure that makes life easier and more enjoyable.

Locals describe it as a place where simplicity, nature and lower prices than in the rest of the country come together.

"Living in Adelaide is a simpler life," says Monkhouse.

"It's connected and comfortable, without being suffocating. Public transportation is reliable, and my kids use it every day to go to school, the beach, or meet friends," he adds.

She compares it to life in the US, where public transportation is often inaccessible or unreliable outside of major metropolitan areas, and is rarely something children would use alone.

Although the population approaches one and a half million, residents say Adelaide remains easy to navigate.

"You can still get almost anywhere in 30 to 45 minutes," says Erin Carey, director of public relations agency Roam Generation.

"I live in the Adelaide Hills and can get to the city center in just 25 minutes. It's easy to live here with the hills, the beach, and the wine regions!" he says.

In the Adelaide Hills, she's surrounded by nature, with kangaroos and koalas frequently visiting her property, while the beach is just 30 minutes away and world-class wineries are even closer.

"My ideal Sunday includes a drive through the countryside, whether south to McLaren Vale or north to the Barossa wine regions, to discover a new winery and enjoy a crisp white wine in the sunshine while the kids play in the grass," she says, adding that she always takes first-time visitors to Chalk Hill Winery, with vineyards dating back to 1839 and the best views in the region.

Autumn is one of our favorite times of year here, especially in Stirling, a hill town, when the leaves begin to change color.

In other areas, Carey recommends the coastal suburbs of Aldinga and Moana for their tranquil surroundings.

"In just a few days, you can experience three incredibly diverse facets of Adelaide: the English village atmosphere and lush beauty of the hills, the rolling vineyards of McLaren Vale, and the rugged ochre cliffs of the southern beaches," he says.