A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Darwin for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Bali or Darwin?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Darwin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Darwin

Darwin is a tropical, multicultural, and authentic town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Darwin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bali than Darwin. Bali is bigger than Darwin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Darwin is more popular for its museums & sights. Bali is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Bali different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Darwin?

Darwin is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Darwin offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Bali is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Bali is a must-see party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beache. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Hiking?

You'll find excellent hiking in both Bali and Darwin.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Darwin?

Bali is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Darwin.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Darwin. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Couples?

Bali is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Darwin is a good island for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is terrific for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Darwin is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Bali or Darwin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bali and Darwin offer notable public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Bali or Darwin a more walkable city?

Darwin is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable place. There are biking and walking paths around town.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Bali?

How long in Bali or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Darwin. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Darwin 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Darwin?

Bali is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Darwin is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the tropical destination of Darwin. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The authentic town of Darwin offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Darwin?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Darwin, 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 Bali or Darwin?

Darwin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Darwin in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bali is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Darwinin April. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Darwinin April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Darwin. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches.

Bali is around the same temperature as Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Darwinin October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Bali