A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Adelaide travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a high energy, thrilling, and active city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Adelaide and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise than Adelaide, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Also, Surfers Paradise is famous for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Adelaide is well known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Adelaide different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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 Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Surfers Paradise is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise is a world class resort vacation destination. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Surfers Paradise is considered to be a world-class beach destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful 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.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Both Adelaide and Surfers Paradise are destinations which offer notable hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Adelaide. 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.

Surfers Paradise offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for shopping. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Surfers Paradise. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Adelaide is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Students?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

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

Adelaide is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Adelaide or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Adelaide is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Both Adelaide and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Adelaide. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The city of Surfers Paradise offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly city of Adelaide. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Adelaide is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Surfers Paradise is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surfers Paradise, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Adelaide is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Adelaide and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Adelaide 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Surfers Paradise?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Adelaide is generally cooler than Surfers Paradise. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 22°C (72°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In January, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Adelaide or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Adelaide during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

Adelaide is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the autumn, Adelaide often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adelaide usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Surfers Paradise. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Adelaide is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Adelaide in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Adelaide usually receives around the same amount of rain as Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Adelaide or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Surfers Paradise. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.

In October, Adelaide is generally cooler than Surfers Paradise. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 16°C (61°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In the spring, Adelaide often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Adelaide usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradise. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Adelaide