A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Picton for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Canberra or Picton?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Picton? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Canberra. Although Canberra and Picton are both popular with visitors, Canberra has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Canberra is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, and big city activities, while Picton is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Picton is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also home to the Australian War Memorial.

How is Canberra different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Canberra 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 Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Canberra or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Canberra and Picton.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Dining out in Picton is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Canberra or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Canberra is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

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 Canberra or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Canberra or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Picton?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Canberra and Picton.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Many visitors go to Picton to go shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Canberra or Picton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Picton.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Picton is known to be 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 Canberra or Picton Better for Couples?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Canberra or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Picton Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Canberra and Picton.

Canberra has some public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

You'll find some public transit in Picton, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Canberra or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Canberra or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Canberra 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 Canberra, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

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

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

One day in Canberra or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Canberra. 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 Canberra or Picton?

Canberra 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 Canberra or Picton?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Canberra and Picton, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Picton?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra 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 Canberra or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Picton. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Canberra is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In April, Canberra is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Canberra. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Picton. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Canberra during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Canberra is a little warmer than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Canberra usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Picton. Many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Canberra is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Canberra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Picton. Canberra gets 95 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 Canberra