Is Melbourne older than Sydney?
Ava Arnold
Updated on January 15, 2026
Sydney is also older than Melbourne, having 478 years of establishment before the latter city was formed. Both cities are located on the Southeast part of Australia with Sydney on a higher latitude compared to Melbourne.
Is Sydney the oldest city in Australia?
1. Sydney. Sydney, Australia's most populated city and the state capital of New South Wales, has a long history as it is the earliest European settlement in the country. The city, located on the east coast of Australia, is a bustling metropolis.Is Melbourne an old city?
It was incorporated as a Crown settlement in 1837, and named after the then British Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. In 1851, four years after Queen Victoria declared it a city, Melbourne became the capital of the new colony of Victoria.Was Melbourne ever bigger than Sydney?
Sydney is larger, but Melbourne is growing fasterMelbourne added 70,000 more people than Sydney did over the last 5 years and based on the current growth trends, soon after mid-century, Melbourne will be Australia's largest city”, said Mark McCrindle.