A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Hobart for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Adelaide or Hobart?

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 Hobart 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 under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Hobart

Hobart is a historical, charming, and fascinating city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Adelaide and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Hobart?

Both Hobart and Adelaide have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Adelaide is very popular for its beaches, while Hobart attracts visitors for its museums & sights, food, and hiking. Hobart is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Adelaide different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hobart is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

Hobart 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 Hobart. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

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 Hobart Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Adelaide and Hobart.

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.

Hobart has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Adelaide or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is great for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Adelaide attract visitors from all over. 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.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Adelaide or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

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 Hobart?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Adelaide and Hobart.

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.

Hobart is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Is Adelaide or Hobart Better for Families?

Hobart 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.

Hobart is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

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 Hobart Better for Couples?

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

Hobart makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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 Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide and Hobart are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Adelaide is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Is Adelaide or Hobart Better for Students?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Hobart is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Hobart is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Adelaide has some very good public transit options. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Adelaide or Hobart a more walkable city?

Adelaide and Hobart are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Hobart is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Hobart?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Adelaide and Hobart. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Adelaide than in Hobart. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hobart.

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

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

One day in Adelaide or Hobart?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Hobart offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Hobart?

Adelaide is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Adelaide or Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hobart is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Hobart?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the elegant destination of Adelaide. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Hobart is a great place to explore. 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Hobart, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Adelaide would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Adelaide and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart than you might in Adelaide.

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

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Hobart?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Hobart, 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.

When is the best time to visit Adelaide or Hobart?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Adelaide or Hobart in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Hobart. The summer months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In the summer, Adelaide is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Adelaide in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Hobart averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during summer. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Hobart. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Adelaide or Hobart in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Hobart. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In April, Adelaide is generally a little warmer than Hobart. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 18°C (64°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In the autumn, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Hobart. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets less rain in April than Hobart. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Hobart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Adelaide is a little warmer than Hobart in the winter. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Adelaide usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hobart during winter. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Adelaide usually receives more rain than Hobart. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Adelaide or Hobart in the Spring?

Both Hobart and Adelaide during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Adelaide is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Adelaide in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Hobart averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the spring, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Hobart. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets less rain in October than Hobart. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Adelaide