A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Picton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Brisbane or Picton?

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 Brisbane and Picton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a cultural, active, and relaxed coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Brisbane travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque, scenic, and quaint town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and food. See Picton travel costs.

Brisbane and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Picton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane. Although Brisbane and Picton are popular destinations, Brisbane has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brisbane is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and big city activities, while Picton attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and small town charm. Picton is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Brisbane is famous for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also well known for the Cultural Centre.

How is Brisbane different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Picton?

Brisbane is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Brisbane. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Brisbane or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picton is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Picton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Brisbane offers plenty to do in the evening. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

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 Brisbane or Picton Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Beaches?

Brisbane and Picton are high quality choices for a beach vacation.

Brisbane is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Picton. 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 Brisbane or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is great for hiking. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Picton for the hiking trails. 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.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Picton?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

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

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Picton.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Picton is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Couples?

Picton is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Picton is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Picton are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Brisbane or Picton Better for Students?

Brisbane is a well-known place for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

Many students visit Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Brisbane and Picton both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

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

Is Brisbane or Picton a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Picton are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Brisbane or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Brisbane than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

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

Couples should spend more time in Picton than Brisbane. 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 Brisbane than Picton 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 Brisbane.

One day in Brisbane or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. 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 Brisbane or Picton?

Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. 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 Brisbane or Picton?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. This coastal 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Picton, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Picton?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton and Brisbane during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Picton. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Picton because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Brisbane is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Picton. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Picton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Picton. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In July, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Picton. Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm.

Brisbane is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In October, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Picton. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Brisbane