At last count, the population of Australia was 23.5 million.

That means we are nearly three times the size of New York City (or 636 times the size of Lichtenstein).

But, incredibly, two in three Australians live in just eight cities.

They’re Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.

Click here to follow our Trading Places countdown

Between them, these cities hold a whopping 65% of the country’s population.

But things are changing.

Town 1: Birregurra, Victoria
Town 2: Bangalow, New South Wales

Around 15,000 Aussies a year are making the trek from the big smoke to a small town – a move typically described as a sea or tree change.

In the past, the typical sea changer has been an older Australian.

However, increasingly younger families are moving to escape the stress of city life and access a more affordable housing market.

Town 3: Chiltern, Victoria
Town 4: Bowral, New South Wales
Town 5: Richmond, Tasmania
Town 6: Dayboro, Queensland

According to the ABS, 79 per cent of sea-changers to coastal communities are aged under 50 and half are under 30.

What’s more, sea and tree changing is only set to increase as faster Internet speeds allow professionals to work in rural areas.

Will you join the movement?

To take the guesswork out of the big move, we’ve chosen the best tree or sea change towns in Australia.

Town 7: Strathalbyn, South Australia
Town 8: Evandale, Tasmania
Town 9: Bungendore, New South Wales
Town 10: Toodyay, Western Australia

With the help of two geographers, we’ve narrowed it down to a list of 10 and each day we will be counting down to the number one town.

They’re undiscovered gems with affordable housing, amazing arts and culture, a strong sense of community and stunning, unique scenery.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here to follow the countdown and start planning your great escape.