A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Adelaide vs. Arrowtown for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Adelaide and Arrowtown can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Adelaide travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming, quaint, and quirky town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Adelaide and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Adelaide and Arrowtown are both popular with visitors, Arrowtown has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arrowtown is more popular for its skiing, food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Adelaide is known for its beaches. Arrowtown is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also home to the Chinese Settlement. Adelaide is popular for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Adelaide different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arrowtown and Adelaide. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Adelaide is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Adelaide is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Adelaide or Arrowtown.

Adelaide is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Adelaide or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Adelaide and Arrowtown.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Adelaide. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Adelaide is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Arrowtown visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Adelaide and Arrowtown.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Arrowtown is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Arrowtown makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Arrowtown is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Students?

Adelaide is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Adelaide is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

You'll find some public transit in Arrowtown, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Adelaide or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Adelaide is very walkable. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Adelaide Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Adelaide or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Adelaide than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

Families should spend more time in Arrowtown than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Arrowtown, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arrowtown than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arrowtown that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Adelaide if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arrowtown.

One day in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Adelaide. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arrowtown, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the elegant city of Adelaide. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Adelaide is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Adelaide and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Adelaide Expensive? and Is Arrowtown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Arrowtown?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 500 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Arrowtown, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.