Leading sexual wellness destination, Lovehoney reveals the best cities for LGBTQ+ dating in Australia.
Sydney was revealed as the top city, followed by Melbourne and Adelaide.
As winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, the desire to share the season with a romantic partner can be strong. So, for the 11%1 of the Australian population that identifies as LGBTQ+, which cities offer the most vibrant and inclusive dating scenes?
Lovehoney can now reveal the best cities across the country for LGBTQ+ dating, which have been ranked based on the following five factors:
The number of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs
LGBTQ+ festivals and events
Dating app search volume
Safety score per city
The percentage of same-sex couples
The top 10 cities in the ranking were revealed as:
# |
City |
LGBTQ+ Festivals/ Events |
LGBTQ+ Clubs/Bars |
Dating App Search Volume per 10,000 people |
Safety Score |
Same-Sex Couples (%) |
Total Score |
1 |
Sydney |
18 |
12 |
15.1274651 |
65.7 |
0.318 |
100.000 |
2 |
Melbourne |
11 |
8 |
16.48464867 |
43.8 |
0.257 |
64.713 |
3 |
Adelaide |
9 |
5 |
19.91454701 |
66.7 |
0.071 |
63.153 |
4 |
Brisbane |
9 |
2 |
16.80458911 |
63.4 |
0.201 |
60.509 |
5 |
Geelong |
1 |
4 |
3.096879231 |
76 |
0.257 |
48.362 |
6 |
Newcastle |
2 |
1 |
14.92014479 |
50.1 |
0.318 |
46.234 |
7 |
Perth |
5 |
5 |
12.49638817 |
57.6 |
0.106 |
43.924 |
8 |
Gold Coast |
2 |
8 |
7.777193549 |
53.1 |
0.201 |
43.390 |
9 |
Wollongong |
0 |
9 |
6.502618159 |
50.8 |
0.318 |
36.473 |
10 |
Hobart |
4 |
1 |
6.923417768 |
76.8 |
0.022 |
34.436 |
Sydney takes the crown
With a long history of LGBTQ+ rights activism, and the annual three-week-long Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival, Sydney takes the crown as the top city.
Boasting the most LGBTQ+ festivals and events in our ranking at 18, combined with 12 LGBTQ+ clubs and bars, and a solid safety score of 65.7 - the city is a haven for the community.
Dating hotspot Melbourne takes second place, Adelaide comes in third
Taking the second spot is Melbourne. With 11 festivals, eight registered LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, and a high search volume on dating apps, the city is a dynamic hub for LGBTQ+ individuals to meet like-minded singles.
Adelaide comes in third with nine LGBTQ+ festivals, and five registered clubs and bars, coupled with high dating app search volumes of 19.91 per 10,000 people. The city has a commendable safety score of 66.7, although the percentage of same-sex couples is lower at 0.071%. Nevertheless, Adelaide's robust support for LGBTQ+ events makes it a welcoming city.
Brisbane and Geelong rank in the top five
Completing the top five on the list are Brisbane (60.51) and Geelong (48.36), with some of the highest safety scores on the list.
Notable LGBTQ+ events in Brisbane include the Brisbane Pride Festival, and the annual Queer Film Festival, which highlights LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers. Similarly, Geelong's notable LGBTQ+ event is the Rainbow Festival, which includes a pride march, community fair, and various cultural activities.
