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.

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 $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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Canberra $71
    Whitsundays $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Canberra $142
    Whitsundays $120

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Canberra $21
    Whitsundays $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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Canberra $30
    Whitsundays $26
Typical Food prices in Canberra

For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Canberra $15
    Whitsundays $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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Canberra $14
    Whitsundays $10
Typical Alcohol prices in Canberra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:


  • Drinks at a Bar
    $9.87

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

About these numbers

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.

Related Articles for Canberra
SydneyMelbournePerthAdelaideBrisbaneGold Coast
Related Articles for Whitsundays
NewcastleCanberraWollongongCairnsDarwinRockhampton

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Canberra vs. Whitsundays Travel Comparison

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