A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Darwin or Canberra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Canberra, 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. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Darwin and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Canberra?

You'll generally find more things to do in Canberra than Darwin. Canberra is bigger than Darwin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Canberra is better known for its museums & sights, food, and big city activities, while Darwin is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Darwin is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Darwin different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra 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 Canberra?

Canberra is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. 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.

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

Canberra is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Canberra. 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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Darwin or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Darwin and Canberra.

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 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.

Is Darwin or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a popular place for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Darwin is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Darwin or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Darwin 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 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.

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 Darwin or Canberra?

Both Darwin and Canberra are notable shopping destinations.

Darwin offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Canberra has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Darwin or Canberra Better for Families?

Darwin and Canberra are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly town. 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 family-friendly things to do in Canberra. 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.

Is Darwin or Canberra Better for Couples?

Darwin and Canberra are both notable 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.

Canberra is a good town 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 Darwin or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Darwin is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two 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 Darwin or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is notable for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Both Darwin and Canberra offer notable public transit options.

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

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.

Is Darwin or Canberra a more walkable city?

Darwin and Canberra both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable town. 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 Darwin Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Darwin and Canberra. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Darwin or Canberra?

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 Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Darwin or Canberra?

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.

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.

Five days in Darwin or Canberra?

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 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.

A week in Darwin or Canberra?

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 cultural 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Darwin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darwin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darwin 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 Darwin.

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

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Darwin and Canberra, 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 Canberra?

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 Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Darwin is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (83°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Canberra. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Canberra. Most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Darwin is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Canberra. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Canberra. The winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Canberra. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Canberra. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city.

Darwin is much warmer than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (85°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Canberra. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Darwin