A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Darwin vs. Cromwell for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Darwin or Cromwell?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Cromwell, 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 local, tropical, and multicultural town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Darwin travel costs.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing. See Cromwell travel costs.

Darwin and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Cromwell?

Both Cromwell and Darwin have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Darwin is better known for its beaches, while Cromwell is more popular for its skiing and small town charm. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Cromwell is well known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards.

How is Darwin different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Darwin is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Darwin is not a skiing destination.

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Darwin and Cromwell.

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 Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

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

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

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.

Cromwell is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Darwin and Cromwell.

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 Cromwell. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a town with good options for the beach. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

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.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Darwin and Cromwell are both places where visitors can find high quality hiking trails.

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. 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 visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Cromwell?

Both Darwin and Cromwell are notable shopping destinations.

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

Cromwell has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Families?

Darwin and Cromwell are both high quality 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 Cromwell. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Cromwell is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Cromwell is a very popular place to visit for couples. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Darwin is a good town for couples to visit. 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.

Is Darwin or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Darwin and Cromwell are notable 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.

Cromwell is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

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

Darwin is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Darwin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Darwin or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Darwin and Cromwell both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Darwin or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Darwin than Cromwell because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Darwin, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cromwell.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Darwin than Cromwell 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 Cromwell?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cromwell. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Darwin or Cromwell?

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.

Cromwell 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 Cromwell?

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 Cromwell. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Cromwell?

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 skiing and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Cromwell. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Cromwell, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Cromwell much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cromwell would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cromwell 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin than you might in Cromwell.

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