Australia and New Zealand’s Most Stunning Cities of 2025 Revealed: Sydney, Melbourne, Tauranga, and More Win Big!

Published on December 23, 2025

Australia and New Zealand boast vibrant and attractive cities. 2025 government and officially verified reports and awards reveal that civic pride, sustainability initiatives and thriving culture make a range of cities and towns stand out as especially beautiful. This article highlights these places – from Australia’s thriving urban centres to New Zealand’s award‑winning towns – drawing on the latest official announcements and liveability rankings while omitting links from the narrative.

Australian cities and towns honoured for beauty and liveability

Launceston, Tasmania – national tidy town

Launceston, a major centre in northern Tasmania, was the national winner of the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns competition. The award recognised the city’s extensive sustainability agenda, including a “zero emissions and zero waste” goal, strong community engagement and innovative partnerships[1]. Judges noted the city’s rich natural scenery and lifestyle orientation and praised local initiatives such as the City of Launceston’s Sustainability Strategy 2027. With its Georgian streetscapes and green riverbank, Launceston demonstrates how heritage and modern sustainability can co‑exist.

Western Australian standouts – Fremantle and Vincent

Western Australia’s port city Fremantle was crowned Australia’s Top Tourism Town 2025. According to Destination NSW’s report on the national awards, Fremantle topped the large tourism town category thanks to its vibrant arts scene, heritage architecture and community‑led tourism projects[2]. In the 2025 Australian Liveability Census, the City of Vincent (a Perth inner‑metro council) recorded a Place Experience (PX) score of 77, placing it among the top liveability performers nationwide[3]. This result reflects Vincent’s leafy streets, diverse culture and high pedestrian friendliness.

Sydney and New South Wales jewels

Sydney’s beauty is more than skin deep. Time Out’s World’s Best Cities for Culture 2025 list ranked Sydney fifth globally. A state government release notes that the list was based on a survey of 18,500 people and a panel of culture experts; the ranking recognised the city’s world‑class exhibitions, theatre, festivals and affordability[4]. These attributes complement Sydney’s harbour setting, beaches and sandstone heritage, reinforcing the metropolis as a culturally rich and scenic destination. Within the Greater Sydney region, the City of Sydney itself attained a PX score of 74 in the 2025 Liveability Census, highlighting strong performance in urban environment and amenity[5].

Beyond the capital, several NSW towns shone in national tourism awards. Destination NSW reported that Bungendore won Gold in the small tourism town category (population 1,500‑5,000); judges praised the town’s community dedication and hospitality[6]. Huskisson secured Silver in the tiny tourism town category (population under 1,500), while Kiama earned Bronze in the top tourism town category[7]. These results demonstrate how small coastal and inland communities are celebrated for charm, natural beauty and visitor experience.

The North Sydney Council performed strongly in the 2025 Liveability Census, ranking sixth nationally and among the top three local government areas (LGAs) in NSW[8]. Its high score reflects excellent public transport connectivity, personal safety, access to amenities, a well‑preserved natural environment (harbour views and green spaces) and visually appealing streetscapes[8]. Elsewhere in Sydney, the Lane Cove Council achieved the highest overall liveability score (PX 80) in the 2025 Liveability Census, with the mayor noting that residents value green, safe and welcoming neighbourhoods, village life and strong community connections[9]. The census also lists Inner West Council (PX 76), Willoughby (PX 75) and Ku‑ring‑gai (PX 74) among top NSW performers[10][11].

Melbourne and Victoria – excellence in liveability and tourism

Melbourne retained its title as Australia’s most liveable city and ranked fourth globally in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2025 Global Liveability Index, according to an Invest Victoria press release[12]. The city scored 100 for healthcare and education, 95 for culture and environment, and 92 for infrastructure, reflecting exceptional public services, a rich arts scene and well‑maintained green spaces[12]. A Victorian government article notes that Melbourne also topped the student mix indicator in the QS Best Student Cities ranking for 2025[13]. Such recognition underlines the city’s combination of modern design, vibrant laneways and cultural diversity.

The 2025 Liveability Census identifies several Victorian councils as high performers. Surf Coast Shire, home to coastal towns like Torquay and Lorne, scored PX 76; Bayside Council (a bayside LGA south of Melbourne) scored 74; and Camden Council (though in NSW, but also prominent) recorded 74[14]. These results indicate that residents appreciate beaches, parklands and village centres that foster community connection. City of Hobart (Tasmania) also achieved a high PX 75 score, reflecting the capital’s mix of historic architecture, waterfront setting and mountain backdrop[15]. City of Joondalup in Western Australia (PX 74) and the City of Vincent highlight how western suburbs deliver high amenity and attractive public spaces[16].

Other Australian highlights

The Place Score report notes that Launceston, Inner West, Willoughby, Lane Cove, Wingecarribee Shire, Perth’s City of Vincent and City of Hobart have all experienced increasing liveability scores since 2021[17]. These councils prioritise green infrastructure, community identity and accessible services. For example, Lane Cove invests in tree canopy and walking trails, while Wingecarribee Shire (encompassing Bowral and Mittagong) emphasises rural charm and heritage villages.

Meanwhile, the South Australian capital Adelaide has long been known for its parklands and biodiversity. Although not a 2025 ranking, the South Australian government’s 2021 campaign to designate Adelaide as a National Park City highlights that 30 per cent of the metropolitan area is green space and the city supports over 200 species of birds, mammals and reptiles[18]. Adelaide’s earlier ranking as the world’s third most liveable city and the most liveable in Australia in 2021 underscores the continuity of its appeal[19].

New Zealand towns recognised for beauty in recent official awards

New Zealand’s latest nationwide beautification awards were held in 2023 (the most recent by 2025). Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s Beautiful Awards honour towns that excel in environmental initiatives, cultural heritage and community pride. The 2023 winners provide insight into the country’s most beautiful places in 2025.

Tauranga – most beautiful large city

Tauranga, a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty, was named Most Beautiful Large City in the 2023 Beautiful Awards. A local government–endorsed news report notes that the city’s success stemmed from investment in beautification, including planting tens of thousands of trees, restoring wetlands, developing cycleways and walkways, and collaborating with local iwi to tell cultural stories[20]. Tauranga’s harbour, beaches and Mount Maunganui scenery complement these initiatives, making it a picturesque urban centre.

New Plymouth – most beautiful small city

On New Zealand’s west coast, New Plymouth won Most Beautiful Small City. A New Plymouth District Council release explains that the award recognised the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability and a long‑term vision to become the country’s sustainable lifestyle capital[21]. The city has invested in coastal walkways, urban forestry and zero‑waste initiatives, building on its 2021 International LivCom award for liveability[21]. New Plymouth’s art deco–influenced buildings and views of Mount Taranaki enhance its charm.

Taupō – supreme award winner

Taupō, situated on the shores of Lake Taupō, earned the Supreme Award at the 2023 Beautiful Awards. While details of the award are summarised, the result highlights the town’s outstanding environmental and community efforts[22]. Taupō’s geothermal landscapes, large lake and proximity to Tongariro National Park contribute to its scenic appeal.

Whakatāne, Arrowtown and Awanui – charming towns and villages

The same awards crowned Whakatāne (Bay of Plenty) as Most Beautiful Large Town, Arrowtown (South Island) as Most Beautiful Small Town, and Awanui (Northland) as Most Beautiful Tiny Town[23][24]. A news article summarising the awards states that judges recognised Whakatāne for community‑led environmental projects and tree‑planting programmes[23]. Arrowtown impressed with its preservation of gold‑rush heritage and community stewardship of historic buildings[24]. Awanui, a small Northland settlement, was celebrated for its beautification projects and engagement of volunteers[24]. These accolades underscore how even small towns can embody beauty through heritage conservation and environmental initiatives.

Conclusion

The 2025 landscape of beautiful cities in Australia and New Zealand is shaped by community action, sustainability and cultural vibrancy. Launceston’s tidy town title showcases how a mid‑sized city can lead on sustainability and heritage conservation[1]. Western Australia’s Fremantle combines maritime history with a thriving arts scene[2], while Sydney’s cultural richness and liveability scores highlight big‑city beauty[4]. Melbourne’s top global liveability ranking demonstrates that a metropolis can be both functional and beautiful[12]. The 2025 Liveability Census further reveals that communities like Lane Cove, Vincent, North Sydney and Surf Coast excel because residents value greenery, safety and connectedness[8][10].

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s Beautiful Awards celebrate Tauranga’s harbour city landscape[20], New Plymouth’s sustainable future[21] and the distinctive charm of Taupō, Whakatāne, Arrowtown and Awanui[22][24]. These honours illustrate how smaller towns can achieve beauty through community initiative and cultural preservation. Together, these examples show that diverse cities across Australia and New Zealand are investing in aesthetics, sustainability and liveability. In 2025 they shine as beautiful places to live and visit.

Reference List

1. Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns 2025 – Launceston: official summary highlighting sustainability, community engagement and natural scenery[1].
2. Destination NSW – Australia’s Top Tourism Towns 2025 (press release) listing Fremantle as top tourism town and recognising Bungendore, Huskisson and Kiama[6][7][2].
3. Time Out / Destination NSW – Sydney ranked fifth globally for culture in 2025; details of survey methodology and cultural highlights[4].
4. Invest Victoria – Melbourne ranked #1 in Australia and #4 globally in 2025 Global Liveability Index with high scores for healthcare, education and culture[12]; Victorian government article on QS student city ranking[13].
5. North Sydney Council – Liveability census results summarising top ranking and key factors: connectivity, safety, amenities, natural environment and streetscape[8].
6. Property4Media (Place Score) – 2025 Australian Liveability Census results listing top performing LGAs and quoting Lane Cove mayor[10][9].
7. Place Score State of Place report – identification of LGAs with rising or stable liveability scores since 2021[17].
8. Environment SA – description of Adelaide’s green space and National Park City vision[18]; City of Adelaide release on 2021 liveability ranking[19].
9. Keep New Zealand Beautiful – Beautiful Awards winners list summarising 2023 winners, including Taupō, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Whakatāne, Arrowtown and Awanui[22].
10. SunLive and local news (endorsed by KNZB) – explanations of Tauranga’s beautification initiatives and reasons for winning the large city award[20]; details of Whakatāne, Arrowtown and Awanui awards[23][24].
11. New Plymouth District Council – press release confirming New Plymouth’s Most Beautiful Small City title and sustainable vision[21].