What's the best city in Australia to visit for a week and why?

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cc_of_0z

Sydney or Melbourne.

For shop-a-holics on a budget, Melbourne is probably the better place to go. They have the largest downtown mall in Australia and probably the widest variety of various markets. Most of the national retail chains are also head quartered there. Sydney isn't that cheap to stay, but is definitely a great place to do stuff within a fairly accessible area. You can definitely finding shopping and bargains in Sydney too, just not to vast degree you can in Melbourne.
Sydney wins hands down in the sightseeing area though. Harbour Bridge, Opera house, Taronga Zooe, Ferry to manly, these are all things that can be done relatively cheaply and get a great return on the experience.

Being a Sydneysider I would say Sydney (a week would barely cover just central Sydney on the sightseeing stakes). You can always do day trips further afield for more exciting things, like the blue mountains or southern highlands.

Melbourne for shopping. Lots to see and experience there, its definitely the place for "culture".

Perth for a much more laid back atmosphere without all the mad rush of the east coast.

Definitely avoid Brisbane, go for one of the other Qld cities if you want the great barrier reef and tropical experience - say Cairns or whitsundays, or even gold coast.

K J

I would recommend Melbourne or Sydney. I have been to Australia twice and loved it both times. Cairns is small and touristy and Adelaide is dead. Tasmania would be good for a hike. But you guys sound like you would have fun anywhere. Here is a link to the pics I took while I was there. I just got back to America 2 weeks ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26608873@N07/

Edward Cullen Bites My Pillows.

Melbourne- because it is such a diverse city. So much to do. GREAT shopping GREAT Food and GREAT daytime activities

OR

Brisbane- beautiful beaches and theme parks

insighthere

Melbourne is streets ahead for shopping and if you don't have a lot of cash you can window shop and stop for lots of coffees. The cafe and pub lifestyle in Melbourne is fantastic and Melbourne is definitely Australia's friendliest but hippest city.

tjbella7

Gold Coast, hands down! It has it all! Theme parks, shopping, heaps of cuties wearing hardly anything, the glitter strip, the hinterland, parasailing and speed jets, and all sorts of other touristy things. There truly is something for everyone and it can be a lot cheaper than the capitals if you are willing to take the time to do some research before you go. I speak from experience!

ixlinxs

Sydney without a doubt.
I have lived in all the major cities and for shopping and markets you cant beat Australia's premier city

okey