A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Te Anau for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Brisbane or Te Anau?

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 Te Anau can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a stunning, pristine, and breathtaking town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food and hiking.

Brisbane and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Te Anau?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane. Although Brisbane and Te Anau are both popular with visitors, Brisbane has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brisbane is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Te Anau is known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Te Anau is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre.

How is Brisbane different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

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

Te Anau 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.

Te Anau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

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 Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Brisbane has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a very popular place for the beache. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

Te Anau is an amazing town to visit for hiking. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

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 Te Anau?

Brisbane is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Brisbane is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau Better for Families?

Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is one of the most popular family destinations. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

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 Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau 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, Te Anau has plenty to offer. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

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 Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Te Anau are superb 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 Te Anau. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau Better for Students?

Brisbane is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is not popular with students.

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

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Brisbane has some public transit options. 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Brisbane or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Brisbane is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Te Anau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brisbane and Te Anau. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Brisbane than Te Anau. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Te Anau 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 Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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 Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau 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 Te Anau, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Te Anau?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Te Anau, 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.