LGBT-Friendly Australia: 3 Cities that Celebrate Queer

With it’s world famous Mardi Gras and vibrant LBGT-scene, Sydney is a well known and always popular destination for a gay vacation, but Australia actually has much more to offer than just this one gay hotspot.

Here’s my recommendation for the three most LBGT-friendly cities Down Under. 

1. Glitz and Glamour in Sydney

There’s no avoiding it, Sydney is a mecca for the gay community around the world with its thriving, lively LBGT scene all year round reaching a crescendo of colour and outrageous outfits at the annual Mardi Gras. If you’re looking to join in the fun head for Oxford Street in the city’s Darlinghurst district and King Street in Newtown.

Of course, you haven’t just come here to party, you’ll want to work on your tan too, and the city boasts a number of fantastic ‘gay’ beaches. North Bondi and Tamarama are very popular but if you’re looking for something a little quieter and more laidback check out La Perouse at Little Congwong and Lady Jane beach.

1. Melbourne

While Sydney provides reason enough to take out your Australia travel insurance and make the trip Down Under, Melbourne is well worth a visit too. A little calmer and less outrageous, the gay scene here is still a bustling, lively affair, although it does tend to have a little more culture and sophistication thrown in. 

There isn’t one central area where all the LBGT activities go on but you’ll find a good range of bars in the city’s north side (Sircuit Bar and The Laird in particular) while in the south side it’s worth checking out The Greyhound. 

There are also a number of great bookstore, cafés and art galleries that all aim to cater for the gay community, making the city feel inviting and welcoming to the LBGT community. 

1. Daylesford

Known amongst the gay community as ‘Gaylesford’, this is where many LBGT Australians and visitors come to get away from the fast-paced, lively scene in Sydney.

Daylesford is a beautiful retreat of clear, freshwater springs, stunning countryside lakes and plenty of luxurious spas ready to treat and soothe those who may have been having a little bit of too good a time in the bigger cities. There are also a range of great art galleries, shops and cafés to enjoy in the town.

For a comfortable, extremely gay-friendly, guesthouse try out the Green Door or the Lakeside at Daylesford.

Don’t Forget to Take out Australia Travel Insurance

Many standard travel insurance policies won’t cover you for a trip to Oz so, unless you’re an Australian national, it’s important to take out specialised Australia travel insurance.

Check out our Australia travel insurance at InsureMore for a policy which will cover you for a single trip, or if you are planning to stay a little longer, our annual cover which will keep you insured for up to 45 days per trip (or 91 days of business travel).