A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Adelaide for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Darwin or Adelaide?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Adelaide, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Darwin travel costs.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a elegant, welcoming, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Adelaide travel costs.

Darwin and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Adelaide?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Adelaide than Darwin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Adelaide is very popular for its beaches and shopping, while Darwin attracts visitors for its hiking. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. It is also well known for the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

How is Darwin different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Darwin or Adelaide?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Darwin and Adelaide.

Darwin offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Adelaide. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is the Food Better in Darwin or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Darwin and Adelaide.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Darwin. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Adelaide is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Darwin and Adelaide.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Adelaide. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is notable for the beach. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Adelaide. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Adelaide?

Adelaide is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Adelaide is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Families?

Darwin is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Darwin is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Darwin and Adelaide are both nice to visit as a couple.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Adelaide is a good town for couples to visit. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Darwin and Adelaide are nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Adelaide is a good town to visit for backpackers. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a nice place to visit for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Adelaide is a good city to visit for students. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Darwin is not popular with students.

Is Darwin or Adelaide Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is notable for its public transit. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you around easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Darwin or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Darwin Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Darwin or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Adelaide due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Darwin, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

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

Couples should spend more time in Adelaide than Darwin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Adelaide that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Adelaide than Darwin 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 Adelaide.

One day in Darwin or Adelaide?

The town of Darwin offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Darwin or Adelaide?

Darwin 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Darwin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Adelaide 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.

Five days in Darwin or Adelaide?

Darwin 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Darwin or Adelaide?

Darwin 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Adelaide. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Darwin and Adelaide, we can see that Darwin 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Darwin and Adelaide, 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 Darwin or Adelaide?

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 Darwin or Adelaide in the Summer?

Both Adelaide and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Darwin this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Adelaide for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Adelaide. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (83°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Adelaide. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Adelaide. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Adelaide. Many travelers come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Adelaide in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Darwin is much warmer than Adelaide in the autumn. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Darwin usually receives more rain than Adelaide. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Adelaide. Many visitors come to Darwin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Darwin is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the winter temperatures in Darwin in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Adelaide averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Adelaide. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Adelaide. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches.

In October, Darwin is generally much warmer than Adelaide. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (85°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives more rain than Adelaide. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Darwin