10 Most Dangerous Cities In Australia (2024)

Australia is both a country and a continent, made up of the mainland area, the island of Tasmania, and several other small islands.

The land is the oldest, driest, and flattest inhabited continent on the planet.

Even though it has the least fertile soil in the world, Australia has a wide variety of climates and land areas, from mountains and deserts to rainforests and savannas.

The current population is approximately 26 million.

The original settlers of the land traveled to Australia from South East Asia over 65 thousand years ago.

They are the ancestors of present-day Aboriginal Australians.

The continent is known for its natural resources like aluminum ore, iron ore, zinc, lithium, and uranium.

The Land Down Under welcomes an average of 2 million tourists a year.

Visitors can bask on the beaches, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, sunbathe with kangaroos, hike in the mountains, and take in the many museums.

It’s also the birthplace of celebrities like Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, and Hugh Jackman.

These are all great attributes, but what about crime?

Is Australia a safe place to visit?

For the most part, the answer is yes.

If you decide to visit Australia, chances are you’ll be in a low amount of danger.

Tourists are usually victims of petty crimes like pickpocketing, scams, and car theft.

In fact, Australia ranks 47th among the most dangerous countries in the world.

By comparison, the United States ranks 30th.

The murder rate is low at .84 per every 100,000 people.

That’s not to say no crime occurs.

For example, there were 31,118 sexual assaults, 9,140 robberies, and 49,742 car thefts recorded in the country last year.

Also, certain parts of Australia have a serious issue with drugs, specifically, crystal meth.

This adds to the overall crime.

There are certain cities where caution should be used when visiting.

Read on to find out which ones.

10 Most Dangerous Cities In Australia

10. Newcastle, Australia

Newcastle is a harbor city in the state of New South Wales.

Known for its lovely beaches, the area was once part of the penal colony run by England.

Visitors can view many convict-built structures around the beach, like the ocean bath, or bogey holes.

The city rates at 49.5 on the crime index.

Last year, there were 784 crimes reported that ranged from theft to assault and vandalism.

9. Wollongong, Australia

Wollongong is a coastal port city south of Sydney.

Visitors flock to the area for the beaches and rock pools.

It’s a great place for outdoor adventures like mountain climbing, surfing, and hang gliding.

With a population of 295,600, Wollongong is also home to many industrial companies.

The overall crime score is 54, which makes it moderately dangerous.

Common crimes include harassment, drug dealing, and assaults.

You should avoid walking around at night.

8. Ballarat, Australia

Ballarat is a city in the central highlands of Victoria.

With a population of approximately 116,000, they’re known for their Victorian heritage and architecture.

During the 1850s, Ballarat was part of the Australian gold rush.

Today, one of the main attractions is The Sovereign Hill open-air museum, a recreated gold mining settlement.

The city weighs in with a score of 56.5 on the crime index, meaning it’s a moderately dangerous city compared to others its size.

Most crimes reported include drug dealing, vandalism, theft, assault, and armed robbery.

When visiting, secure all valuables and beware of scams, especially in regard to taxis.

7. Geelong, Australia

This Victorian city is just southeast of Melbourne and is set on the bay.

It’s home to Australia’s oldest football team, a lovely esplanade with a boardwalk and carousel, and botanical gardens.

With a population of 276,116 people, time increased by 17% in 2022 over the previous year.

There were a total of 456 crimes, including assaults, vehicle theft, and aggravated burglary.

Visitors are asked to use caution in crowded areas and don’t walk around at night without a purpose.

6. Townsville, Australia

This coastal city in northwestern Australia has a population of just over 180,800.

Known as a resort town, its centerpiece is the pier which houses a waterpark, aquarium, and sea turtle hospital.

Unfortunately, Townsville is not the safest place for tourists or residents.

The town is ranked as one of the worst locations for crime.

Last year there were a total of 31,932 crimes reported, including 3,000 break-ins, 6,100 drug offenses, and 1,829 assaults.

Much of the crime is being committed by youth gangs.

Tourists should keep valuables close, lock their cars, and don’t walk around at night.

5. Toowoomba, Australia

Toowoomba is a small city in the state of Queensland.

With a population of just over 142,163, the town is known for its historic charm, along with many parks and public gardens.

The downtown area is a great place to grab a cup of their famous coffee and take in some local art.

However, visitors need to be cautious, as crime is worse than in 98.9 of other cities its size.

Last year there were 639 thefts, 273 drug arrests, and 124 crimes of deception just to name a few.

4. Darwin, Australia

Darwin is a city of 147,200 people in the northern part of the country.

They’re known for their outdoor markets, water attractions, and crocodile cruises.

Tourists must be careful of scammers and pickpockets but aren’t really targets in the violent crime surge that currently plagues the city.

In 2022, there were over 10,200 assaults, and commercial break-ins and robberies were up 62% in 2022 over the previous year.

Many business owners say they are afraid, especially after the recent murder of a bottle shop employee that was stabbed to death after refusing service to someone.

Protests over the crime rate take place on a regular basis within the city.

3. Cairns, Australia

With a population of 153,900, Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and is in the tropical area of Queensland.

People come here to snorkel and dive among the 2900 individual reefs and over 1,500 species of marine life.

The downtown area offers a ton of restaurants, bars, and boutiques.

It also offers a lot of crime.

Cairns ranks 302 on the safest cities in Australia list.

In 2022, there were over 18,200 crimes reported, most of which included break-ins, muggings, assaults, stolen cars, and vandalism.

In March of 2023, a Cairns police officer was ironically attacked while giving a report on a crime.

2. Rockhampton, Australia

With a population of just over 79,900, Rockhampton is the oldest city in the northern state of Queensland.

It’s known for its botanical gardens and rock pools.

Visitors can explore caves and learn about indigenous culture.

But be careful when there, as Rockhampton ranks low on the safety index with a score of only 28.

Overall, crime is 71 per 100,000 people.

Regularly reported crimes include homes being robbed, muggings, assaults (particularly hate crimes), and drug-related activities.

Definitely don’t walk around at night.

1. Alice Springs, Australia

Alice Springs is a remote town in the northern Australian outback.

It’s a popular place for folks wanting to explore the Red Centre (desert region).

With a population of approximately 28,000, the town is known for its collection of contemporary and traditional art, as well as its natural wonders.

Unfortunately, it’s also known for its serious crime problem.

Many people blame the rise in crime on the area lifting a ban on alcohol.

Last year, there were 2,823 assaults, 1,521 of those involved alcohol.

Overall, there was anastounding 11,000 crimes against people per 100,000 people.

Property crime was even worse at 28,980 per 100,000 people.

Residents report random acts of violence like ambulances being bombarded with rocks, shop windows constantly being broken, young people walking the streets at night causing trouble, and the elderly being violently robbed inside their homes.

Alice Springs is not someplace you want to be after dark.

5 Safety Tips For Traveling To Australia

1. Ask your hotel manager about safe and unsafe areas.
2. Carry the contact details of the police and local embassy at all times.
3. Carry traveler’s checks and credit cards rather than cash.
4. Use ATMs only during the day.
5. Avoid protests, fights, and other disturbances.