Sydney may not be one of the best cruising destinations in the world, but our little city is outdoing some major queer heavy-hitters when it comes to one steamy category.
Sydney has come in in at number 12 in Erobella‘s 2025 Global Gay Cruising Index, ranking the best cities in the world for the time-honoured gay tradition of anonymous gay sex. Cities are scored depending on the number of gay saunas, fetish/cruising clubs, gay bars, and public parks, before receiving a final score out of 40.
Coming out on top are London, Berlin, and Paris, with Madrid following closely behind, before scores begin to drop below 20.
Sydney received a pretty measly score of 10 out of a possible 40 points, getting only one point each for our clubs, gay bars, and public parks, but when it comes to saunas, we beat out some of the big names like Berlin and New York.
Glenn McNamara from Sauna X says that although the state of cruising in Sydney has changed, saunas have become central to the culture as it exists today.
“Building on the legacy of 357, we’ve created a celebrated and awarded space where every man belongs,” he said. “Whether it’s to relax, share a drink, explore, or dive into nightlife with our unique tunnel to Aura Nightclub.
“We also recognise that many men are experiencing digital fatigue from apps — ghosting, safety concerns, even crime — and are seeking real connections again. Saunas provide that safe alternative.”
