Of all the many places where British people have settled in the world, Australia is arguably the most ‘British’. There are more active cultural and family links between Britain and Australia, and fewer cultural divergences than, say, between the UK and the USA, Canada, or South Africa. Nevertheless, Australia is a unique place with a distinct history, culture, and way of life, and differs in many important respects from that of Great Britain.
The question facing Brits planning to move to Australia is whether to embrace this difference and move to a distinctly Australian part of the country, or seek out an area with strong British cultural and travel links.
Should You Move To The Most British City In Australia?
To answer this, it’s worth considering which of Australia’s many cities and cultural hubs are the most British.
There are British expats, travellers, and tourists everywhere in Australia, and wherever you decide to move, you’ll never be far from an established British expat community. You may even be lucky enough to have friends and family members already living in Australia who can help you find your feet.
However, a lot of the popular tourist and relocation destinations for UK nationals don’t feel particularly British. Sydney, for instance, has a very distinct architecture and culture – beautiful, hot, and ultramodern, that sets it apart as a quintessentially Australian city.
Adelaide: The Most British City In Australia?
Arguably, the most British-feeling city in Australia is Adelaide, thanks to its architecture, green spaces, and pace of life that resembles some British cities. To be honest, this similarity comes down more to style than substance. It is not necessarily that Adelaide looks like a town or city in the UK – certainly not in modern terms – but there is a strong British perception created by Adelaide’s cultural links, history, and landmarks, which can be seen all over the city.
Architectural Heritage
Walking through Adelaide, for example, you are immediately struck by its graceful colonial 19th-century architecture, with beautiful heritage buildings that mirror the Victorian and Edwardian styles found in parts of Britain at the same time. These buildings include grand churches, stately homes, and public buildings that lend the city an air of historical authenticity and timelessness.
History And Identity
Adelaide’s cultural environment is also deeply shaped by its British heritage. Founded in 1836 as a planned colony of free immigrants (rather than convicts), its development was heavily influenced by contemporary British ideals of urban planning and governance. The city takes its name from Queen Adelaide, who was the consort of King William IV (the uncle of Queen Victoria, reigning 1830-1837), further cementing its historic ties to Great Britain.
Fast forward to 2024, and Adelaide’s lifestyle and community identity still reflect this history. Australians themselves often describe Adelaide as a peculiarly British place, with a relaxed and leisurely pace of life, and an abundance of green spaces and parks that are often compared to the English countryside (we’ll leave that to you to determine its accuracy). The Adelaide Botanic Garden, for example, and the expansive parkland encircling the city centre provide tranquil oases for natives and newcomers alike, and are frequently the location for social gatherings, cultural events, and even an annual Guy Fawkes Night celebration.
What Next?
If you’re interested in relocating to Adelaide or anywhere else in Australia and would like to find out more about the practicalities, please get in touch here with Galleon International for an informal discussion of your needs.
Image Source: Canva
