People & Places
Australia's south coast cities
Boasting some of the country’s most stunning scenery and a number of its livliest cities, Australia’s south coast draws British emigrants like a honey pot draws bees
So what's everyone buzzing about? Hanna Lindon finds out.
Fancy a taste of the laid-back Aussie lifestyle without the sizzling temperatures? Then the south coast may just be for you. Spanning three states and incorporating two of Australia's largest cities as well as some dazzling diverse scenery, the coastline running from Mallacoota in the east to the Margaret River in the west has – to coin a phrase – something for everybody. In southern Victoria, the cosmopolitan cities of Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat draw incomers with promises of world-class entertainment and employment opportunities. In contrast, coastal Western Australia is a chill-out zone – a spectacular haven for those desperate to escape from the rat-run. And in between, bordering thousands of miles of golden beaches, rocky cliffs and rugged coastal outcrops, lies the journey (and for some of the more adventurous the home) of a lifetime. But which coastal location will win your heart? We take a look at some of the choices...
Geelong
Don't be deterred by the outlandish name – the city of Geelong lives up to its 'City of Dreams' nickname. Mild weather empty white-sand beaches and buzzing nightlife all combine to attract the younger generation who define the city. "Geelong is full of young people," confirms Helena Brown, a former resident who now lives in the UK. "There are lots of schools – Geelong Grammar School where Rupert Murdoch and the Prince of Wales went is probably the most famous – and a great university. People come here so that their kids can have a great education, so it's also a very child-centred place."
A recent campaign by the Geelong City Government to revamp the city has been crucial in promoting both economic growth and encouraging redevelopment. More than 10,000 businesses now employ over 80,000 people in the region, and big employers include Ford Motor Company, Shell Oil and major Australian retailer Target. The focus of life and culture in Geelong is now the revamped waterfront, which was recently completed after a huge overhaul. "The waterfront in Geelong is beautiful," says Brown. "It's full of new restaurants, walking, cycling and skating paths and public art. "All in all, Geelong is just an amazing, vibrant place to live. Anybody who enjoys surfing, beach-life, café-culture or nightlife will enjoy being here and soaking up the atmosphere."
Melbourne
It doesn't get much better than being a resident of Melbourne, Victoria. The city has been voted 'World's Most Liveable' on a number of occasions, so it's no wonder that Brits flock there every year in their thousands. "If Melbourne were a European capital, it would probably be regarded as one of the world's great cities," says Peter Holyoake, a local resident who emigrated to Australia from Britain in 2004. "It is a very easy place to live in – easy on the eye, easy access culture and sport, and a tourist's delight."
But for Holyoake, the real charm of living in Melbourne is location, location, location. "The city sits by two huge bays, so the ocean is a highly accessible playground," he comments. "It is easy to sail, water-ski or find a lonely beach. "The rest of Victoria has boundless space in which to bush-walk, picnic or look for the wildlife, and we have become much more interested in the local animals than ever we were back home. Where we live, for example, we have cockatoos, galahs and lorikeets playing in the trees and families of kangaroos are only a short drive away."
Melbourne is also famous for its greenery and continental tree-lined boulevards, more reminiscent of European capitals like Paris and Rome than of Sydney or Perth. "Living here is like living in a park," Holyoake enthuses. "The city is surrounded by beautiful parks and open spaces, and these extend right out into the suburbs where a reserve (natural open parkland) or a range of hills is never far away from where you love. "The city's tree-lined boulevards create a very 'continental' atmosphere, and are home to a thriving coffee-shop culture." Due, no doubt, to Melbourne's scenic surrounds, the culture in the city focuses around the great outdoors. Sports like cricket and rugby are popular among local residents, and those who don't fancy spending their weekends watching or playing in one of Melbourne's 29 stadiums can enjoy a can of beer and a good gossip over the barbie. "People spend much more time outdoors here than we would in the UK," says Holyoake. "The outdoor life also extends to home, and we are much more likely to eat outside on the patio or the balcony rather than sat in front of the TV. The well documented Australian love of the barbecue is more than just a cliché!"
So, is there anything about Melbourne that isn't quite perfect? "In truth not much!" says Holyoake. "Like all big cities some of the suburbs are a bit down-at-heel and there are places that it is best to avoid after dark, but the city itself feels remarkably safe, even at night. "The weather is a bit capricious – they say if you don't like it then wait half and hour and it will change – but it is certainly better than in Britain!" And not only is living in Melbourne a vast improvement on British life, Holyoake also rates the charms of the city above anywhere else in Australia. "I have seen all the other big Australian cities, and there is no doubt that Melbourne is my favourite," he says. "It is not as remote as Perth, more relaxed and stylish than Sydney, bigger and with more to do than Adelaide and not as hot and humid as Brisbane. "Not difficult to see why it has often been cited as one of the best places in the world in which to live!"
Adelaide
Superbly situated beside the River Torrens, Adelaide has a classic elegance which sets it aside from any other Australian metropolis. The city is famous for its wide-boulevards, pleasant leafy suburbs and beautiful city-centre green ring, and enjoys the benefits of a mediterranean-style climate. "Adelaide is generally dry, with hot summers and brief wet winters," says Stuart Sutherland, a self-confessed 'Pom' who has been living in the city since 1990. "Humidity with heat is unusual, and only occurs a few days per year. Summer daytime temperatures can be anything between 20 and 40 degrees celsius, although the latter wouldn't be more than, say, ten days every year. Expect plenty of summer days in the high 20s to low 30s."
According to Sutherland, one of the most attractive aspects of living in Adelaide is the number and variety of the facilities. "Adelaide has three universities, more cinema complexes than I can recall, many restaurants and cafés, sports stadia, etcetera. Australians are generally sports crazy, and facilities are very good." The city also boasts plenty in the way of entertainment, hosting dozens of festivals every year. "The Adelaide Festival runs every two years but its Fringe is now annual, with the 'off-year' timed to occur around the bi-annual WOMAD," says Sutherland. "The film festival and the local; touring car race, the 'Clipsal 500', also syncs in with the Autumn events calender. As we move into winter, the annual Cabaret Festival round-off the proceedings."
So, what are the housing options if you fancy living in Adelaide? "The metropolitan area of Adelaide is quite sprawling and contains a bit over a million people," explains Sutherland. "As a result, you can get pretty much anything you would ever want to buy here. "Prices are low, even in Australian terms. House prices vary considerably according to area. In a cheap outer suburb you can get a three-bedroom house for AUS200,000 (about £80,000), but in an expensive suburb – North Adelaide or the City – you would pay more like AUS$1 million for a two-bedroom apartment. The heat has come out of the housing market now, so I would expect prices to be fairly stable or slowly increasing for the next year or two, especially for apartments. "The southern suburbs seem particularly popular with 'Poms', possibly because house prices are lower and the beach and wineries are close."
Albany
Albany nestles between the Mount Melville and Mount Clarence hills, some 250 miles from Perth. Outstandingly beautiful natural surroundings coupled with proximity to some of the south coast's most stunning beaches make the city a popular location for nature-lovers and surf-seekers alike. Dave Court, a Brit who moved to Albany 18 months ago, describes the setting as 'amazing'. "The beaches are wonderful," he enthuses. "Many still allow 4x4 access, and it is possible even in peak tourist times to find your own little cove, complete with rock-pools and a sandy beach."
Unlike other areas of Australia, however, the weather in Albany is not always conducive to lounging around on the sand. The Mediterranean-style climate makes for warm summers and cool, wet winters – and, as Court observes, "swimming can be a pretty chilly experience. Albany has a more temperate climate that Perth, and a higher rainfall," he says. "As a result, the landscape stays greener in contrast, and if ever there was a place similar to the UK within WA then that place would be Albany! The temperature seldom goes over 35 even on the hottest days, and if it is hot one day there is a good chance it will be cool the next." The temperate climate has had a big impact on both lifestyle and industry in Albany. Wine-growing is an important part of the local economy, as is fishing and agriculture. "Because of the wetter climate, some level of self-sufficiency is possible, and it would be a great way to bring up a family," remarks Court. He goes on: "The place is very family orientated and working after 12pm on a Saturday is disliked by many local business owners. "Tourism is now an important industry in Albany, but the locals are only coming to grips with it slowly – it's not uncommon to see tourists wandering around the town on a Sunday or public holiday wondering where to eat and what to do!"
So, is this laid-back attitude a plus or a negative of living in the city? According to Court, it depends on the lifestyle you are looking for. "All in all, we have enjoyed our time in Albany," he muses, "but it's a sleepy town and somewhat limited in terms of job opportunities. We are returning to the UK soon, but would like to come back one day. Bringing up a family here would be fantastic!"
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