A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Brisbane or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Brisbane travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rotorua travel costs.

Brisbane and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Brisbane is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Rotorua is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. 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 Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Rotorua and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Rotorua can be an interesting and educational experience. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Brisbane or Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Rotorua is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Brisbane attract visitors from all over. 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.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is one of the most popular family destinations. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Rotorua has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Brisbane and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Brisbane or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brisbane and Rotorua. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Brisbane or Rotorua?

In Brisbane, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Rotorua offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Brisbane or Rotorua?

In Brisbane, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brisbane has to offer.

Rotorua 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rotorua, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Rotorua?

Brisbane is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Rotorua, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Rotorua?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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 Brisbane or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Rotorua. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Brisbane is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Rotorua. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Rotorua. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Brisbane is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brisbane in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Rotorua. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Brisbane is generally much colder than Rotorua. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In July, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Rotorua. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

Brisbane is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than Rotorua. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Brisbane