Such was the case in our visit to Australia's two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. They obviously have plenty in common, including five million people or so. It feels like Sydney is more established than its counterpart to the south, and maybe a little less vibrant. I liked them both, but gave an edge for whatever reason to Melbourne.
A friend had heard this comparison of the two - Sydney in New York. Melbourne is San Francisco. That sound about right. Even so, there is plenty to explore in Sydney. That starts of course with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, two attractions that are known throughout the world. But there are plenty of museums and theaters and interesting areas to more than justify a trip.
The First Fleet of convicts landed here in 1788. It seems that criminals that had formerly been taken by the British to America needed a new place to do that, since the United States had gone off on its own. Colonization had another benefit, since timber and flax could be used by the Navy. The convicts eventually served their time, and many opted to stay put rather than go all the way back to England. By 1804, Sydney was self-sufficient in food.
Growth in the population was quite steady through the 1980s, when it had a spurt. Immigration was the reason for it. By 2021, about 40 percent of Sydney's population was born overseas.
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