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Overview

Australian cities consistently rate very highly in the plethora of “liveability” surveys that have emerged in recent years. According to the annual Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Survey, for example, Melbourne has been the world’s most liveable city for the last seven years, until the most recent poll result (August 2018) placed Vienna in the number one spot and Melbourne as second. In the 2017 survey, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane were all ranked in the top 20. In 2018, Sydney ranked fifth, Adelaide 10th, Perth 14th and Brisbane 22nd.

While such surveys may evoke a level of pride, they really just confirm what we already know – that for most of us, our major cities are desirable places in which to live. This international-rate stamp issue features just three of our beautiful cities: Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. 

The stamps, designed by Jason Watts of the Australia Post Design Studio, feature striking, modern photographs that showcase a cityscape from each beautiful city.

Products released with this issue

  • First day cover (blank, gummed)
  • Stamp pack
  • Maxicards
  • Postcards
  • Sheetlet of 5 x $3 (self-adhesive)

Technical specifications

Issue date25 September 2018
Issue withdrawal dateto be advised
Denomination1 x $3, 1 x $4.60, 1 x $7.50
Stamp designJason Watts
product designJohn White
Printer - gummedEgotrade
Paper: gummedTullis Russell
Paper: self-adhesiveSecurepost MC90
Paper: rollsRAF Unik
Printing processOffset lithography
Stamp size (mm)50mm x 30mm
Perforations14.4 x 14
Sheet layoutModule of 50
FDI postmarkMelbourne VIC 3000
FDI withdrawal date
23 October 2018

Stamps in this issue

$3 Melbourne, VIC
$3 Melbourne, VIC

Beautiful Cities $3 Melbourne stamp

Melbourne, VIC

Melbourne, Victoria, is Australia’s second most populous city, known as a thriving multicultural city with a love of sport. The stamp shows the city skyline, Princes Bridge and the Yarra River, as depicted in a photograph by We Xu (via Getty Images).

$3
$4.60 Adelaide, SA
$4.60 Adelaide, SA

Beautiful Cities $4.60 Adelaide stamp

Adelaide, SA

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is depicted on the stamp using a photograph by Ben Goode (via iStock). The photograph showcases the Torrens River precinct, which includes the Adelaide Festival Centre and the recently renovated and expanded Adelaide Convention Centre.

$4.60
$7.50 Brisbane, QLD
$7.50 Brisbane, QLD

Beautiful Cities Brisbane $7.50 international stamp

Brisbane, QLD

The state capital of Brisbane lies near Moreton Bay, on the Brisbane River in south-eastern Queensland. The stamp shows a view of Brisbane’s central business district from Kangaroo Point, in a photograph by Stefan Mokrzecki (via Getty Images).

$7.50

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    Issue date: 23 August 2022

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    Issue date: 13 July 2021

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  • Ramsar Wetlands

    Issue date: 22 February 2021

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  • World Heritage Australia

    Issue date: 20 October 2020

    World Heritage Australia

     

     

View all stamps

This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.