"This is a very sad day for the people who love freedom, as we do and the Turkish people do," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
"It is very important in times like this Australians stay united and recognise that our successful multicultural society is built on a strong foundation of mutual respect."
The bombings were a reminder Islamist terrorists sought to "destroy, divide and kill" Muslims, Christians and others of non-Muslim faith, he said.
AustralianForeign Minister Julie Bishop also condemned 'what appears to be a coordinated terror attack' in Istanbul.