Brisbane vs Auckland

[giant]

Lived in NZ for four years and Oz for 25.

Living in NZ is a bit like stepping back in time to Oz say the late '70s... Auckland is a lovely city but the rest of NZ seems to hate Aucklanders. If you pull into a small town and visit the local RSA club the first thing the locals will ask you is "you're not from bloody Auckland are you" if you say you are they will snarl at you and ignore you. If you are from outside of Auckland they will be your new best mates. I felt they generally liked Ozis more than Aucklanders.

The economy and wages are a lot smaller in NZ, jobs are harder to find. Housing is a lot cheaper.

As others have said I believe Auckland has great sailing and sailors. Morton bay is big and shallow but you can be up around Fraser Island and the GBR in a couple of days. Glasshouse Mountains look cool.

Brisbane area has had serious rain and flooding in the last few years. Weather is great generally in Brissy.

Hobart (possibly comparable or better than Auckland) has really good accessible cruising, but the weather is cool also.

Another vote for Brisbane being "Australias' most boring city".

[Boracay]

Haven't been to Auckland for half a century or so so can't comment on that city but I've lived in Brisbane for a few years and gone across Morton Bay.

Morton Bay looks like it would be really great for large trailer sailers. The combination of shallow water and mostly good weather should suit them well.

[s/v Beth]

Why Brisbane? If the world is your oyster then how about McKay, Rockhampton or Cains? Heck, there are tons of small seaports in Australia without the hype of a big city. And a lot more livable IMHO.