A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alice Springs vs. Nelson for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Alice Springs or Nelson?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Alice Springs and Nelson 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.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a charming, friendly, and laid back town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Nelson

Nelson is a adventure-filled, natural, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alice Springs and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alice Springs or Nelson?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nelson than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nelson is better known for its food and beaches, while Alice Springs is more popular for its small town charm. Alice Springs is well known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Nelson is well known for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. Also, Nelson is famous for Abel Tasman National Park.

How is Alice Springs different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alice Springs or Nelson?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Nelson and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Alice Springs. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Nelson is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

Is the Food Better in Alice Springs or Nelson? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nelson is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nelson has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Alice Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Alice Springs and Nelson.

If you're looking for night time activities Alice Springs has a few options to choose from. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Nelson. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

Nelson is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Both Alice Springs and Nelson are destinations which offer world-class hiking.

Around Alice Springs visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Nelson is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Alice Springs or Nelson?

If you're looking to go shopping, Alice Springs and Nelson both offer plenty of notable spots.

Alice Springs has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Nelson is a great destination for shopping. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Nelson is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

Alice Springs is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Nelson is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Alice Springs is a very popular place to visit for couples. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Nelson, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Alice Springs. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alice Springs and Nelson both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Public transit is generally limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Alice Springs or Nelson a more walkable city?

Nelson is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Nelson is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting? and Is Nelson Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Alice Springs?

How long in Alice Springs or Nelson?

In either Alice Springs or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Alice Springs because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alice Springs, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nelson than Alice Springs 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 Nelson.

One day in Alice Springs or Nelson?

Alice Springs might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Nelson. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Alice Springs or Nelson?

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nelson. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Alice Springs or Nelson?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alice Springs. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Nelson. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Alice Springs or Nelson?

Alice Springs is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Nelson. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Alice Springs and Nelson, we can see that Alice Springs 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 Alice Springs Expensive? and Is Nelson Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alice Springs or Nelson?

Nelson has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Alice Springs and Nelson, 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.