Should you visit Canberra or Whitsundays?
Should I visit Canberra or Whitsundays? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
Which city is cheaper, Whitsundays or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $118, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $117. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Canberra and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $146 in Canberra For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $122 in Whitsundays For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Canberra costs travelers about $31 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $26 per day in Whitsundays for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Canberra $31
Whitsundays $26
Typical Food prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Canberra than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $22 on transportation in Canberra on average per day.
To get around in Whitsundays, the average visitor spends $49 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Canberra -> Sydney -> Jindabyne -> Perisher Ski Resort : Private Transfer:
$474
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Canberra - Sydney Private Transfers:
$474
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Private Airport Transfer: from Canberra to Canberra Airport (CBR):
$33
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Canberra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Canberra, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
In Whitsundays, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $22 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra - All Inclusive:
$513
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Building and Architecture Tour | 10am Daily:
$12
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Canberra - Murrumbateman Private Group Winery Tours:
$522
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Canberra - Southern Highlands Winery Tour:
$422
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Capture Canberra Photography Tours:
$371
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Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay - with Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour:
$178
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Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay With Indigenous Experience:
$180
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Private Canberra Secrets Highlights Tour:
$789
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Skip the Line: Telstra Tower Observation Deck Ticket:
$5.93
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Ultimate Museum Experience | Tour + Dine + Shop (10am daily):
$51
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
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Great Barrier Reef Luxury Expedition Cruise cabin booking 7 days 6 night:
$3,536
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Great Barrier Reef Private Expedition Cruise (min 4 day max 8 guests):
$9,727
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Canberra spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Whitsundays, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $11.
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour:
$123
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From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$144
When comparing the travel costs between Canberra and Whitsundays, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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