Property values are a lot higher in Sydney than in Melbourne, so I would imagine that the cost of living and rent would be higher as well. I really don't know much about the others.
Cheers,
Dee.

Thank you Dee. It's more we were wondering what the flora and fauna were like and how convenient it would be to get to habitats etc. at the same time as studying. The money wouldn't be a huge worry as he would be grant-aided anyway. Students are used to being poor.
Thanks again!

Hi again Marguerite,
Sorry about that, I didn't realise that was what you meant. What sort of plants would he be studying? If it is Australian Natives, then you would be better off posting this in the Australian Native Plants forum or even in the Gardening in Oz forum. Good luck to your son with his studies.
Cheers,
Dee.

Hi Marguerite Darwin well its very hot and humid up there for most of the year and your son may find it very hard to study if he was feeling uncomfortable, but if he was studying Tropical plants that would be the place to go as a lot of those type of plants do not grow down south

I agree with Dee about Sydney, but there is plenty of transport to get around, but I am sure someone from Sydney will let you know about the Flora and Fauna from there.

Melbourne well it was voted the most livable city, and plenty of transport as well with the Yarra river flowing through lots of the eastern suburbs so plenty of Flora and Fauna there, with other rivers in the North East and West plus lots of creeks. Marguerite parts of Melbourne up in the hills are a little like the Southern East of Ireland maybe not as green as it does not get as much rain as Ireland. I live in Queensland now but having lived in Melbourne nearly all my life I think it is a wonderful place to be.

Then there is Perth it would be a beautiful City as well they have lots of Flora and Fauna that the Eastern states do not have but as I have never been there I cannot comment, there are lots of our Members from there and they will be able to give you more info. Hope this helps a little Cheers...MM

Thanks again, Dee, the course is an environmental one, world heritage, to be exact, incorporating plants, animal life and archaeology also. Thanks indeed to you Mistymom, for that wonderfully informative piece which I am passing on to him.

Perth as Mistymorn said has a lot of flora and fauna which is different from anywhere else as we are so isolated here...Perth itself is classed as a Mediterranean climate and is quite pleasant most of the year but does get pretty hot in summer 40def celsius is common but it may be the travelling which would be the harder part for him as the distances are vast....well worth it for the experience though I feel. Tina