Which city is cheaper, Whitsundays or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Canberra vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Canberra or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra or Whitsundays? 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.
Where Should I go: Canberra or Whitsundays?
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $116Whitsundays $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $116, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $115. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Canberra and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $72Whitsundays $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $144Whitsundays $120
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Canberra or Whitsundays? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Canberra Hotel Prices and Whitsundays Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $21Whitsundays $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra -> Sydney -> Jindabyne -> Perisher Ski Resort : Private Transfer: $474
- Canberra - Sydney Private Transfers: $474
- 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCanberra $30Whitsundays $26
Typical Food prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $15Whitsundays $22
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra - All Inclusive: $513
- Building and Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $12
- Canberra - Murrumbateman Private Group Winery Tours: $522
- Canberra - Southern Highlands Winery Tour: $422
- Capture Canberra Photography Tours: $371
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay - with Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour: $178
- Day Tour from Canberra to Batemans Bay With Indigenous Experience: $180
- Private Canberra Secrets Highlights Tour: $789
- Skip the Line: Telstra Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $5.93
- 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.
- Great Barrier Reef Luxury Expedition Cruise cabin booking 7 days 6 night: $3,536
- Great Barrier Reef Private Expedition Cruise (min 4 day max 8 guests): $9,727
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $14Whitsundays $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- 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.
When is the best time to visit Canberra or Whitsundays?
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 Canberra or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Whitsundays.
In January, Canberra is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and Whitsundays stays around 26°C (79°F).
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryCanberra 20°C (68°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Whitsundays.
Canberra is cooler than Whitsundays in the autumn. The temperature in Canberra is usually 17°C (63°F) in April, and Whitsundays stays around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilCanberra 17°C (63°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Canberra is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July are around 11°C (52°F), and Whitsundays is about 16°C (62°F).
In July, Canberra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whitsundays. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyCanberra 11°C (52°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Canberra during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Canberra is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and Whitsundays stays around 23°C (73°F).
Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberCanberra 15°C (60°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Canberra
| Canberra | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
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