Rising fuel prices won’t dent the budget in these convenient suburbs where public transport is abundant and everything is within reach.
While Aussies are now paying much higher prices for petrol and diesel as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, many residents in some of Australia’s best-connected suburbs have been relatively insulated from the impact of the fuel crisis.
In suburbs where public transport is within easy reach, people who don’t rely as much on cars to get around have been spared the worst of soaring fuel costs.
In fact, many of these suburbs have among the lowest car ownership rates in Australia, with residents ditching cars in favour of trains, trams, ferries, bikes and walking long before the latest crisis pushed fuel prices higher.
Although the multitude of public and active transport options in these suburbs mean car ownership costs can stay low, it may come with a trade-off – home prices and rents tend to be higher in suburbs located close to the CBD and transport hubs.
Public transport costs tend to rise with inflation too, except in Brisbane where a 50c flat rate is now permanent.
But for buyers and renters tired of paying outrageous prices for fuel, these suburbs could be worth a look.
Best-connected suburbs in the capitals
| Suburb | State | Public transport options | Distance from CBD | Car-free households |
| Surry Hills | NSW | Train, tram, metro, bus | 2.6km | 48% |
| Redfern | NSW | Train, metro, bus | 3.3km | 40% |
| Pyrmont | NSW | Ferry, tram, bus, metro (future) | 1.6km | 29% |
| Chatswood | NSW | Train, metro, bus | 8km | 22% |
| Parramatta | NSW | Train, tram, bus, ferry, metro (future) | 19km | 17% |
| Strathfield | NSW | Train, bus, metro (future) | 12km | 21% |
| Brunswick | VIC | Train, tram, bus | 5km | 21% |
| Richmond | VIC | Train, tram, bus | 3.3km | 20% |
| South Yarra | VIC | Train, tram, bus | 3.7km | 28% |
| Footscray | VIC | Train, tram, bus | 6km | 21% |
| South Brisbane | QLD | Train, ferry, bus | 1.3km | 23% |
| Fortitude Valley | QLD | Train, ferry, bus | 1.7km | 29% |
| Toowong | QLD | Train, ferry, bus | 4.4km | 13% |
| Leederville | WA | Train, bus | 2.9km | 7% |
| Fremantle | WA | Train, bus | 15km | 12% |
| Bowden | SA | Train, tram, bus | 3.4km | 13% |
| Braddon | ACT | Tram, bus | 1km | 17% |
Sydney
Sydney’s train network forms the core of the city’s rail system, converging at Central Station south of the CBD.
As such, some of the city’s best connected suburbs are found in the inner suburbs, including Surry Hills, situated right next to Central, and Redfern, which has its own train station.
Train lines servicing all of Sydney stop at these stations, and Surry Hills residents can also access the recently built metro line at Central, while Redfern is serviced by Waterloo metro station.
Surry Hills is one of the closest suburbs to the city, and is right next to Central Station. Picture: Getty
Two light rail lines run through Central station, which is also home to a major bus interchange, making these two of Australia’s best connected suburbs.
More than 40% of households in these suburbs don’t own a car, according to the latest census.
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Further from the city, the major hubs of Chatswood, Parramatta and Strathfield form key nodes on the train network.
Chatswood already has a metro stop, and stations for the Metro West line are under construction at Parramatta and North Strathfield.
That same line will also link harbourfront Pyrmont to the city and west. The suburb is already serviced by ferries and the bike lane network, and offers easy walking access to the CBD.
Melbourne
Melbourne has the nation’s largest train network with 227 stations, but much like Sydney, the best-connected suburbs tend to be closer to the city where multiple train lines and transport options converge, corresponding with higher rates of car-free households.
Richmond to the east of the CBD is one of the city’s best rail hubs, serviced by four train stations across multiple lines. Several tram routes also provide connections to the CBD, Docklands and St Kilda.
Nearby South Yarra is not much further from the CBD and is where the Sandringham, Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines converge, allowing connectivity to the south east, not to mention great tram coverage as well.
Footscray is within easy reach of the CBD by train. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Footscray forms a major transport hub about 10 to 15 minutes west of the CBD, and is serviced by the Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury and intercity train lines, as well as a number of bus routes connecting to nearby suburbs.
Brunswick is one of the city’s best-connected northern suburbs, with trains and trams providing access to the city and local buses connecting nearby suburbs.
Brisbane
The best-connected suburbs in Brisbane take advantage of major train lines and ferry routes, and are therefore mostly in the inner city.
Fortitude Valley is the clear winner, straddling all of Brisbane’s train lines just one stop from the CBD. Ferries are within reach at Howard Smith Wharves and Teneriffe.
Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane's best suburbs for car-free living. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
South Brisbane has a similar strategic position on four major train lines, with South Bank ferry terminal and the South East Busway providing added connectivity.
Further to the west, Toowong sits on the Ipswich and Springfield train lines accessed at both Toowong and Taringa stations, and also has a major bus interchange and ferry terminal.
Perth
Perth is the most car-reliant of the capitals, with about 94% of households having at least one car, but there are still suburbs where residents could get by without one.
Leederville is one of Perth’s most accessible inner-city suburbs, with fast CBD access and connectivity with the northern suburbs on the Yanchep line.
Fremantle is connected with the Perth CBD and coastal suburbs by train, and has lower rates of car ownership than the rest of the city. Picture: Getty
Fremantle serves as a coastal hub in the west, with its train line connecting with beachside suburbs such as Cottesloe and Mosman Park, as well as the city.
Adelaide
Bowden is arguably Adelaide’s most transport-rich suburb, owing to its railway station allowing CBD access in five minutes, and connection with Port Adelaide.
Bowden's transport options are complemented by access to local cycling networks. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
It’s also served by the Adelaide tram network, connecting the suburb to the city and the beach at Glenelg, as well as cycling paths through the Adelaide Park Lands.
Canberra
While Canberra doesn’t have a suburban train network, its light rail system operating along Northbourne Avenue makes Braddon the city’s best-connected suburb.
Braddon is one of Canberra's best-connected suburbs, situated close to the CBD and on the light rail line. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It’s situated immediately north of Civic, putting the CBD within walking distance for many residents, while the light rail provides access to northern suburbs.
Darwin and Hobart
Although Australia’s two smallest capitals don’t have a dedicated suburban rail system, units in the CBDs of both cities make suitable options for those looking to get by without a car.
Hobart offers bus routes with Glenorchy, Kingston, Sandy Bay and the Eastern Shore, while Darwin City has bus connectivity with Casuarina, Palmerston and Nightcliff.
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