Melbourne is often dubbed as Australia’s coolest city with its underground bars, art-filled streets and coffee culture. However, there are plenty of up-and-coming areas vying for the title.
Whether you’re looking to buy in a sought-after location, visit a trendy town for the weekend or stop by a boutique coffee shop, B2C Furniture has revealed Australia’s trendy and least trendy areas in 2024 - and the results may surprise you.
The research looked at every major Australian city ranking the number of cafes, markets, vintage shops, theatres, street art murals and art galleries, creating a custom index to rank each area based on these factors.
Stacey Clarke, B2C Furniture’s General Manager says: "In Australia, we are blessed with an array of cities, each with something unique to offer. While some people like to be a part of the hustle and bustle of trendy neighbourhoods, others enjoy switching off in seclusion.
"Interestingly, Rutherglen in Victoria beat out major capital cities such as Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Melbourne to be named Australia’s coolest spot. It shows that destinations outside the major capital cities have much to offer from cafe culture to historical theatres.”
The top three trendy locations are:
Number one: Rutherglen, Vic
While not Melbourne, but still in Victoria, Rutherglen has been crowned Australia’s trendiest spot, beating out Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Located in Northeast Victoria, near the Murray River border of New South Wales is this historic gold town turned wine-growing district.
Rutherglen had the highest number of art galleries at 99, attracting art enthusiasts from all over the country and helping it secure its top position.
It also had one of the highest numbers of street markets at 110, meaning you can sample the local produce and famous wines year-round.
Number two: Gold Coast, Qld
The glamorous metropolis of the Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination and a highly sought-after lifestyle evidenced by booming property prices in past years.
Famed for its natural beauty, many business owners have set up shops offering a variety of cafes and boutiques to capitalise on the crowds visiting the glitter strip. The Gold Coast also has the highest number of theatres in the top 10 list including the famous Home of the Arts (HOTA) which has recently undergone a $130 million upgrade.
Number three: Adelaide, SA
From food and wine to art and culture, Adelaide has secured its spot as one of Australia’s trendiest cities. Most notably, the happening West End is considered one of Adelaide’s coolest enclaves, filled with a thriving, vibrant community.
Unsurprisingly, Adelaide has one of the highest numbers of theatres and contemporary art spaces, including Her Majesty’s Theatre, which sits close to 1500 people and has recently undergone an extensive renovation. Luring young professionals and those from interstate, Adelaide offers cool vibes at an unbeatable convenience.
Rounding out the top 10 in order were:
Richmond, Vic; Sydney, NSW; Corinda, Qld; Mount Evelyn, Vic; Central Coast, NSW; Wattle Glen, Vic and Wellington, NSW.
As for the country’s top three least trendy locations:
Number one: Rasmussen, Qld
Rasmussen is a residential suburb of Townsville and is the least trendy place in Australia with no street art, markets or theatres. This quiet town is bordered on the east and west by the Ross and Bohle Rivers with the most recent census data indicating around 5000 people live there.
Rasmussen’s ‘city centre’ is on its southern boundary where it has five cafes and four boutiques, a school, a church, a community centre and a sports ground. This city lends itself to being a quiet residential area rather than a thriving metropolis – contributing to its low ‘trendy’ score.
Number two: Old Bar, NSW
The seaside town of Old Bar is located 18 kilometres east of Taree on the Mid-North Coast. While it has pristine beaches, tourists typically flock to the nearby Seal Rocks, Foster, Crescent Head and Port Macquarie.
While some trendy cafes and boutiques exist, the city isn’t a cultural hub with no art galleries, street art, markets and only two theatres - ranking the area among the least trendy in Australia. Old Bar would make the perfect place for those looking for a slow pace, not a bustling city centre.
Number three: Hill Top, NSW
Hill Top in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales is the third least trendy place in Australia - it's about a 17-kilometre drive to Mittagong and 10-kilometres to the Hume Highway via Colo Vale.
There’s plenty of history in the former railway town and nature to enjoy but with only one cafe, there’s not much of a coffee culture. Luckily, there are 18 boutiques to look at and two theatres to keep you entertained if you plan on visiting this tucked-away location anytime soon.
Rounding out the top 10 in order were:
Clifton Springs, Vic; Bay View, NSW; Bourke, NSW; Yarram, Vic; Freshwater, NSW; Valley Heights, NSW and Lawson, NSW.
