Article Index
Living in Australia
Melbourne and 'Vicky'
Tas
Elegant Adelaide and South Australia
Brisbane and the Sunshine State
Perth and the West
Darwin and the 'Top End'
Canberra and more information
All Pages

Studying anywhere involves living there, obvious but especially important if considering studying in Australia. The myths of great beaches, stunning scenery and fabulous weather are all true. What is also true is that you do not have to be a lover of the great outdoors, a sport fanatic or into wearing shorts all day to enjoy studying down under. Learning to surf is not compulsory….

 

Australia is vast. Beyond the 250 miles nearest the coast, the island continent is also one of the largest and driest places on earth, with unique environments, animals and scenery. The variety of Australian universities and colleges is also equally impressive, and each major city and state has something to offer.

 

Sydney and New South Wales
Sydney as anyone will know, looks stunning. The harbour front, opera house, bridge and bay is one of the world’s great sites. Australia’s original immigrant settlement and around the corner from the British landing point of Botany Bay, Sydney has a wealth of modern and historic buildings, sites and locations. Its universities and colleges vary from the oldest to some of the largest, as well those that pride themselves on being the most modern.

Possibly the most famous Australian site

Costs of accommodation in Sydney are perhaps the most expensive in Australia, and like with London in the UK, you need to factor this into your calculations. This expense gives you a great variety of choice, with every type of area to live in.

 

New South Wales as a state is now the smallest it’s ever been, as all of the country was once called New South Wales. However, the state is still huge, with famously golden beaches and a coast that varies from coves to the great long beaches of the northern NSW coast bordering Queensland. It also contains Byron Point and Bay, Australia’s most easterly point.

Newcastle and the Hunter Valley wine region

The coast south and particularly north of Sydney has a variety of seaside towns and hamlets, all with their own charm; as well as one or two cities like Newcastle. This city claims to be the second oldest after Sydney in the whole of Australia. So it has its gothic cathedral, Napoleonic era gun fort and lighthouse on a headland, and two large city beaches. It is also at the head of the famous Hunter Valley wine region.

Tallow Beach at Byron Point

Inland the state contains lush agricultural and pastoral areas alive with rivers and forests. NSW contains a large amount of designated national parks, and its southern border with Victoria straddles the Snowy Mountains. So in the winter you can even try a bit of cross country skiing. Further inland are the more dry farming areas associated with cattle ranching and sheep stations, with small one-pub and hotel towns where the welcome is always warm and the beer cold.