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

Should you visit Brisbane or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, and big city activities, while Wellington is known for its food. Wellington is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. 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 Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Brisbane offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Wellington 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.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Brisbane and Wellington.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. 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.

Wellington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Brisbane and Wellington are great 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 Wellington. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Hiking?

You'll find good hiking in both Brisbane and Wellington.

Many people include a hike when visiting Brisbane. 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.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Wellington both offer plenty of great spots.

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.

Wellington is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Wellington.

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.

Wellington is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Wellington are good destinations to visit as a couple.

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

Wellington is a nice destination for couples. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Wellington are great 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Brisbane or Wellington Better for Students?

Brisbane is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Brisbane is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wellington is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Brisbane has a few 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.

Is Brisbane or Wellington a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Wellington are great 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.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brisbane and Wellington. In our opinion, Brisbane has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Brisbane than Wellington. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Brisbane than Wellington. 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.

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

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the diverse coastal city of Brisbane, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Wellington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Brisbane, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

Wellington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Wellington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Wellington?

Brisbane, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Brisbane is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Wellington, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Wellington?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Wellington. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Wellington. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Wellington. The autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Wellington. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In July, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Wellington. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Wellington. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Brisbane