Australia’s friendliest suburbs: Where neighbours become mates
What actually makes a suburb feel like home? For many Australians, it’s the neighbour who takes care of their mail while they're away. The kids who play in the cul-de-sac every afternoon. The family barbecue that casually turns into a gathering of half the street.
However, these days, random acts of neighbourly kindness aren’t as common as they used to be. According to the Real Neighbours Report 2025, almost three-quarters of Australians (72%) say we’ve become less interested in knowing our neighbours than we were 20 years ago.
But the same research found that the majority of us (64%) agree that being friendly and approachable is key to being a good neighbour. So, where are the best places to live in Australia for families? In this guide, we’ll be rounding up Australia’s friendliest suburbs, selected for their family friendliness, affordability and overall liveability.
What makes a suburb ‘friendly’?
Everyone has their own idea of what makes a great neighbour. For some, it’s a friendly hello or a helping hand. For others, it’s simply someone who keeps the noise down and respects your space.
The Real Neighbours Report 2025 aimed to capture what Australians value most in their neighbourhood life and how Australians are navigating modern neighbourly dynamics.
After surveying over 5,000 Australian adults across a broad range of ages and locations, the report asked residents to rank their neighbourhood experiences based on five key factors:
- Friendliness
- Likeability
- Helpfulness
- Community spirit
- Noise levels
This report also asked respondents to consider what makes a good neighbour, with Australians pointing to friendliness, respect and consideration as some of the most important traits. In fact, more than 4 in 5 (83%) of us consider ourselves to be good neighbours.
When it comes to friendliness specifically, just over 7 in 10 (72%) of respondents rate their neighbourhood’s friendliness as good or excellent. Plus, 73% say their neighbourhood is good or excellent in terms of being family and kid friendly, while 80% consider their suburb pet friendly.
Keep Reading: Thinking of adding a furry friend to your household? Discover the best dog breeds for families.
Which states have the friendliest suburbs?
So, where are the friendliest spots to live in Australia? The Real Neighbours Report 2025 highlighted several top-performing areas across the country, based on factors such as friendliness, helpfulness, community spirit, likability, and noise levels.
Here’s a quick summary of the top neighbourhoods across Australia:
- In New South Wales, Sutherland, Baulkham Hills, the Hawkesbury and Sydney’s Northern Beaches topped the rankings, reflecting strong neighbour relationships and high community satisfaction.
- Cairns led the way for Queensland, showcasing its friendly, laid-back lifestyle and strong social connections.
- South Australia’s South East Region also performed strongly, demonstrating that smaller regional areas often foster the strongest community ties.
- In Victoria, Warrnambool and the South West Region were recognised for their low noise levels, while Geelong was identified as a neighbourhood with a strong community spirit.
While the challenges of modern life are shifting how we interact with those next door, these regions prove that strong neighbourly bonds are still alive in many parts of Australia. Ready to dive deeper? Explore our state-by-state guide to Australia’s friendliest suburbs, perfect for families.
Family-friendly suburbs in Queensland
Queensland is known for its sunshine, coastal charm and relaxed pace of life. Unsurprisingly, it turns out some of its suburbs are just as bright when it comes to neighbourly vibes.
According to the Real Neighbours Report 2025, Cairns topped the state, with 78.6% of locals rating their neighbourhood highly for likability, and 77.6% saying their neighbours are helpful and friendly. It’s not hard to see why: between the tropical backdrop and tight-knit community feel, Cairns still has that old-school sense of connection a lot of people are looking for.
Further south, Moreton Bay also scored well, with 76.2% of residents reporting minimal noise issues from loud parties or music, a promising sign of a respectful, family-friendly vibe. With plenty of parks, schools, and green space, it’s the kind of place where families can settle in knowing the neighbours are likely to keep the peace and say hello.
Family-friendly suburbs in Victoria
Victoria’s friendliest neighbourhoods are mostly found outside Melbourne’s inner suburbs, where the pace is slower and community ties run strong. The Real Neighbours Report 2025 highlights a few regional standouts where people aren’t just living next to each other—they actually know each other.
Geelong led the way in community spirit, with 76.2% of residents rating their neighbourhood highly for friendly and supportive connections. It also earned an impressive 83.7% positive score for pet-friendliness, always a solid sign of relaxed, family-oriented living where people (and their dogs) feel welcome.
Down the coast, Warrnambool and South West Victoria scored well across the board. Warrnambool notched a 74.6% score for overall neighbourhood satisfaction, with 77.7% of residents reporting peaceful noise levels, suggesting loud neighbours and late-night dramas aren’t much of an issue here.
Further east, Latrobe-Gippsland came out on top for family-friendliness, with 78.4% of locals rating it highly for raising kids. It also scored well for keeping the streets quiet, with 73.5% of respondents giving positive feedback on low traffic and vehicle noise, which is ideal for those seeking a quieter, more community-focused lifestyle.
Family-friendly suburbs in New South Wales
New South Wales has many suburbs where neighbourly vibes are thriving.
Looking for the best suburbs in Sydney for families? According to the Real Neighbours Report 2025, Sydney’s Northern Beaches led the way, with 80% of locals rating their neighbourhoods as friendly, one of the highest scores in the country. It’s the kind of place where the coastal lifestyle seems to go hand-in-hand with a strong sense of community.
Sutherland also stood out, scoring 76.5% for likeability and 80.1% for helpfulness, solid numbers that suggest people aren’t just living side by side, they’re looking out for each other, too.
Further inland, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury came through with some of the strongest family-friendly ratings. 79% of locals said they’re happy with noise levels from kids playing outside - always a good sign for family life - and 72.6% gave positive feedback for pet-friendliness, pointing to the kind of relaxed suburban environment where kids, dogs, and neighbours all seem to get along.
Family-friendly suburbs in South Australia
When it comes to old-school neighbourliness, South Australia’s south-east region still gets it right. According to the Real Neighbours Report 2025, this region stands out with 79.3% of locals rating their neighbourhoods highly for friendliness, and 75.7% praising the strong sense of community spirit.
It’s not just friendly waves over the fence, either. South East SA also scored well for keeping the peace, with over 70% of residents reporting low levels of neighbour arguments or conflict. In a world where noisy disputes and passive-aggressive notes are becoming more common, these scores suggest that the south-east still holds onto that calm, supportive, small-town vibe, where people genuinely look out for one another.
The takeaway on Australia’s friendliest suburbs
Neighbourly suburbs aren’t just about small talk or friendly waves; they shape how safe, happy, and connected we feel in the places we live. Even with busy lives and everything pulling us indoors, plenty of communities are still holding onto that old-school sense of looking out for each other.
The Real Neighbours Report 2025 offers a solid snapshot of where that’s still happening, and where neighbourly life is getting a bit more complicated.
Want to learn more? Explore the full report for a deeper look at how Australians are navigating modern neighbour dynamics.
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28 Jul 2025