7 Best Places to Study Abroad in Australia
So you’ve decided you want to step out of your comfort zone (like way out, we’re talking about the other side of the world, after all) and explore the “land down under”? Ripper choice, as the Aussies would say — what an amazing decision!
Australia study abroad is about to be a roaring good time.
In exchange for your long journey to the southern hemisphere, you will be rewarded with a magical land, perfect for nature-lovers and city-hoppers alike, with unique animals and natural marvels, the world’s most livable cities, and the best coffee you’ve ever had.
Many people who study in Australia like it so much they find ways to come back later, and a generous working holiday visa scheme makes it possible for people of most nationalities to live and work in Australia for one to two years before they turn 30.
Australia is a young traveler's paradise; imagine laying on the beach, or sailing around the Whitsunday Islands by day, and partying the night away with a BBQ and some goon (famously cheap boxed wine). You’ll find no shortage of new friends and fun activities here to keep you busy in your free time.
Australia is also an international student hub with world-renowned universities, where you can take on new knowledge and new perspectives to complement your studies back home.
Don’t be fooled by this English-speaking nation — North Americans will find more differences than similarities down under to keep things interesting! So dive right into this unique culture and country, with famously laidback and friendly locals, its own uniquely Aussie English and slang, and take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Australia. Read on for the best places to study abroad in Australia!
7 of the best places to study abroad in Australia
1. Melbourne
Sydney is cool, but don’t sleep on Melbourne! It’s one of the best places to study abroad in Australia.
Looking for an amazing city hub for your Australia study abroad experience? Look no further than Melbourne, one of Australia’s most popular cities for tourists and locals alike, consistently ranking at the top of the world’s most livable cities list!
With loads of restaurants, top notch cafes (coffee is king in Melbourne!), world-class museums, theaters, street art, and shopping, you’ll never run out of things to do in Melbourne. With several universities located in the CBD (Central Business District), it’s easy to dive right into the student community.
Melbourne is also perfectly located in Victoria, with numerous easy day trip possibilities to nearby beaches, mountains, and wineries. It's easy to see why Melbourne is one of the best places to study abroad in Australia!
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2. Sydney
No trip to Australia would be complete without a stop in iconic Sydney. Australia’s largest and most famous city has loads to do, with plentiful suburbs that stretch far into the countryside.
Take advantage of year-round mild weather and hit Bondi Beach or take a coastal walk starting in Coogee on one of the plentiful sunny days.
Explore Chinatown or the harbor and its many islands by boat. It’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle and head out to the nearby Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley wineries when you need a breather!
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3. Gold Coast
Oooh baby, how can you pass up a beachy paradise for studying abroad?
If studying abroad in Australia has you thinking of 24/7 sand, sea, and surfing, then look no further than the Gold Coast! Located in sunny Queensland, the “Sunshine State”, you can enjoy year-round beach weather here!
The Gold Coast’s main hub is Surfer’s Paradise, a glitzy city located right on the beachfront, complete with highrises and skyscrapers, including the tallest building in Australia! Shoppers and club hoppers will have so much to enjoy here, but the Gold Coast is also perfect for beach bums and nature lovers, who can marvel at the glittering sea and swim to their heart’s content.
The Gold Coast’s proximity to Brisbane (one hour by train) means you get two cities for one, easily making this one of the best places in Australia to study abroad!
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4. Perth
If getting off the beaten path is more your style, you will enjoy Perth, located in Western Australia. Perth is on the opposite coast of the big and flashy east coast cities (where most of the population of Australia lives), and you’ll find a beautiful metropolis with nature right at your doorstep.
The west coast has just as much to offer as the east coast, with less touristy white sand beaches, barrier reefs, and crystal blue waters. Check out Freo (Fremantle), a Perth suburb where you can explore a historic district and stay the night in a former prison — a uniquely Aussie experience!
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5. Brisbane
You may not be familiar with Brisbane, but it’s one of the best places in Australia to study abroad!
If you’re looking for a smaller city with plenty to do, look no further than Australia’s third-largest city, the capital of Queensland, Brisbane. Warm and sunny weather welcomes you year-round, and a river-front lagoon with a view of the city skyline is the perfect place to cool off after class.
You’ll find that Brisbane is a hub for young travelers and workers, and makes for a perfect jumping off place to explore the East Coast, arguably Australia’s most popular attraction.
Outside the city there are mountains and beaches galore to explore, as well as the world famous Australia Zoo and Lonehill Koala Sanctuary where you can cuddle cute koalas!
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6. Cairns
If you’re headed down under to explore the unique environmental regions of Australia, one of the best places to study abroad in Australia would be Cairns, the jumping off point to explore the Great Barrier Reef!
Cairns is the perfect small city to base yourself in as you tour tropical North Queensland, which is filled with rainforests, islands that dot the coast, and vast underwater ecosystems. Relax in the oceanfront lagoon in your free time, and take advantage of the backpacker specials in nearly every pub and restaurant, where you can meet lots of young people traveling through the city.
Take advantage of being on the water to pick up some new skills, like getting scuba-certified, or even learning to sail!
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7. Canberra
Go a bit further off the beaten path in Canberra.
While Canberra is the capital of Australia, it’s not often thought of as a prime Aussie tourist destination. This small, modern, planned city, is perfect for museum and government buffs, who can take tours of parliament or any of the national museums and monuments for free on any given day.
Take advantage of these resources with Australian history right at your fingertips to enhance your Australia study abroad experience. Located just a few hours from Sydney, it’s easy to explore Australia’s largest (and most expensive!) city and come back to calm and quiet Canberra in the evening.
Surrounded by leafy trees and rolling hills, nature is right at your doorstep surrounding this city.
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You’re ready to study abroad in Australia!
The best places to study abroad in Australia are waiting. Go find them!
The choice is yours! The hard part will be looking at all the best places in Australia to study abroad and picking just one of the amazing options! Go down under and see why several of Australia’s cities are consistently ranked as some of the best places to live in the world. Expect to work hard, but also play hard too!
Take advantage of the outdoors lifestyle like the Aussies do, and discover the beautiful beaches, red deserts, leafy rainforests, and rolling mountain ranges spread across the vast continent. Expect a good work-life balance that allows time for hitting the books and getting to know the country.
Besides getting to study in Australia at world-renowned institutions, with students hailing from many locations around the globe, you’ll get to take on new and unique experiences only found in this secluded land mass in the southern hemisphere.
Cuddle koalas, spot kangaroos and emus in the fields, and discover a fuzzy wombat hiding in the bush. Walk around the base of the massive monolith Uluru, mine for opals in Coober Pedy, or climb the Harbour Bridge for a one-of-a-kind view over Australia's biggest metropolis. Try unique foods (barbecued kangaroo, anyone?) and Australian twists of familiar favorites, like the ubiquitous parma (chicken parmesan).
Adventure awaits you in Australia! You can't go wrong with any of these Australia study abroad options.
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