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

Should you visit Adelaide or Picton?

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 Picton 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 elegant, welcoming, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Adelaide and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Picton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Picton than Adelaide, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Picton is better known for its food, hiking, and small town charm, while Adelaide is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Picton is more touristy than Adelaide and is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Also, Picton is famous for the Queen Charlotte Track. Adelaide is well known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Adelaide different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton 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 Picton?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Adelaide or Picton.

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.

Picton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Picton 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 Picton. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

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 Picton Better for Nightlife?

Adelaide is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Adelaide or Picton Better for Beaches?

Both Adelaide and Picton are considered to be very good beach destinations.

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.

Many people visit Picton for it's beautiful beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Adelaide or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton 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 Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

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 Picton?

Adelaide is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Adelaide or Picton Better for Families?

Picton 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.

Picton is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

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

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Picton is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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 Picton Better for Students?

Adelaide is a good destination for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

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

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you to most places easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Adelaide or Picton a more walkable city?

Adelaide and Picton are very good 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.

Picton is a very walkable city. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Adelaide or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Adelaide than Picton 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 Picton.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Picton 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 Picton.

One day in Adelaide or Picton?

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 town of Picton offers food and shopping. 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 Picton?

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.

Picton 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Picton?

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.

Picton 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated 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.

Picton 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 town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Picton, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Picton.

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

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Picton?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Picton, 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 Picton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Adelaide or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Picton. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Adelaide is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 22°C (72°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Adelaide usually gets less rain in January than Picton. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Adelaide is a little warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Picton. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Adelaide or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Adelaide during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Adelaide is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Adelaide in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adelaide usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Picton. Most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In October, Adelaide is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 16°C (61°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In October, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Picton. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Adelaide