When it comes to finding a place to call home, weather is amongst the top deciding factors. So, what makes the Brisbane lifestyle a no-brainer choice for Australian buyers?
Let’s sum it up.
Warmth. Sun. Clear skies.
This is Brisbane, the so-called ‘heart of the Sunshine State’—both by name and by nature.
Queensland’s capital city is a subtropical paradise, attracting droves of local Brisbane buyers, interstate relocators, and overseas investors alike. The 1342.7 km 2 urban sprawl delivers the perfect mix of rain, hail and shine to ensure enough greenery without the gloom. But does Brisbane’s top-notch climate stand alone in its glory?
Take Melbourne, for instance. Having been ranked as the fourth most liveable city in the world in 2024—as well as the most liveable city in Australia—Melbourne’s climate must take the cake. Or perhaps our sister country, England, with her historical and cultural ties to Australia, might have comparable conditions.
Lauren Jones Buyers Agency promises to debunk all suspicions. To understand the full picture, we’ve lined up the rainfall patterns of Brisbane, Melbourne and the north and south of England.
Take a look for yourself.
Figures sourced here.
Figures sourced here.
Brisbane Weather VS Melbourne Weather
As made apparent by the data, our home turf in the Sunshine State has quite the compelling case. On average, for the 13 years within 2010-2023 from which data was sourced, just 79 days—or 21.6 percent—of each year experienced rainfall. This moderate level of precipitations strikes the perfect weather balance in Brisbane, ideal for those seeking a high quality of life. Whether raising a family, working remotely, or simply enjoying an active, outdoor lifestyle, Brisbane is confirmed to be a suitable location.
Melbourne, conversely, averaged 117 total days of annual rainfall, which equates for 32.2 percent of the calendar year. Having a vaster spread of rained-out days compared to Brisbane, Melbourne can be a challenging location to embrace the great outdoors.
Although, it must be noted that, despite facing more rainy days annually, the city received significantly less millimetres of rainfall than Brisbane. This is due to Melbourne’s temperate climate, which brings frequent light showers from cold fronts and low-pressure systems. In contrast, Brisbane’s subtropical climate produces fewer rainy days but heavier downpours, often linked to summer storms and tropical weather systems. Additionally, Melbourne’s rain is more evenly spread throughout the year, while Brisbane sees the bulk of its rainfall during its wet summer season. This difference highlights how climate and geography shape rainfall intensity and distribution.
Evidently, Brisbane and Melbourne sport distinct rainfall patterns and weather systems. Whichever seems more appealing is entirely up to you!
The Changing Tides of Brisbane Weather
Of course, we cannot ignore the drastic fluctuations in Brisbane’s weather, made apparent by outliers in the data. The positively outlying years of 2021 and 2022 show that Brisbane experienced 125 and 112 days of total rainfall respectively. Under the ever-drizzling skies in Melbourne, this data would describe another typical year for the Victorian capital city. In Brisbane, however, these data points reflect a period of severe weather.
The devastating Brisbane flood period—one that reached a scale not seen since the horrific summer of 2011. The flooding and rainfall began in early November of 2021, wreaking havoc upon central, southern and western Queensland. The damage only escalated in late December, with ex-tropical Cyclone Seth joining the fray. It wasn’t until May 2022 that the conditions in Southern Queensland finally calmed. No wonder the scales tipped so drastically for Brisbane’s total rainfall at that time.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Brisbane’s negatively skewed years. From 2012 to 2016, the total rainfall experienced in Brisbane dropped to an average of 57.2 days per year. For this dry patch in the data set, we have Queensland droughts to thank. After a failed wet season between 2012-2013, as well as “below-average pasture growth and diminished surface water for livestock”, Queensland was declared a region of drought (Queensland Government in State of the Environment Report 2020).
This drought-declared period only worsened in following years, reaching maximum devastation between November 2015 and April 2016. It wasn’t until June 2018 onwards that figures finally eased.
With these two edges of extreme in mind—Brisbane floods and Queensland droughts—we can infer that 2010 and 2023 indicate the most stable results for Brisbane’s total rainfall. Accruing 80 and 83 days of rainfall respectively, there is little fluctuation.
Australian Weather VS English Weather
To invite a third party to the weather wars, England is notorious for its frequently miserable skies. But is the country’s preceding reputation the work of gospel, or gossip?
As expected, Lauren Jones Buyers Agency found the English weather of recent years to be more on the wet side than that of Brisbane and Melbourne. A quick glance at the data reveals that both North and South England share similar millimetre measures of average rainfall with Brisbane. Our Queensland capital, however, still takes the podium for the highest level of rainfall.
Moreover, all listed North England regions reflect a wider spread of rainfall across the calendar year—besides from the 2022 anomaly. North England’s regions averaged 148 days of yearly rainfall between 1991-2011, equalling 40.6 percent of each year. South England wasn’t so different, with an average of 126 days, or 34.5 percent. Majority of South England’s listed regions also displayed higher measures of yearly rainfall compared to Brisbane. Interestingly, throughout the 20 years of data collection, English rainfall levels had very little fluctuation.
Ultimately, in contrast to the ever-crying Melbourne and England skies, Brisbane stands out as a city where liveability thrives under a dome of (mostly) blue skies. This harmonious weather not only fosters a vibrant outdoor lifestyle but also bolsters a strong sense of community. There are weekend markets, riverside picnics, and alfresco dining – all at your fingertips. While Melbourne dazzles with its arts scene and café culture and England’s rolling countryside holds undeniable charm, Brisbane offers a perfect balance of urban sophistication and natural beauty. With its green spaces, world-class dining, and proximity to stunning beaches and hinterlands, Brisbane effortlessly combines opportunity with lifestyle.
If you’re considering making the move to Brisbane or investing in this thriving market, contact Lauren Jones Buyers Agency. It is our specialty, after all, to help you embrace the city’s splendour by finding your perfect Brisbane property.
So let us guide you toward property purchase success. All it takes is a quick ring!