Which city is cheaper, Fraser Island or Darwin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Darwin or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Fraser Island, 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.
Where Should I go: Darwin or Fraser Island?
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarwin $92Fraser Island $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $92, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $172. 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 Darwin and Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarwin $51Fraser Island $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarwin $102Fraser Island $170
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Fraser Island? 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: Darwin Hotel Prices and Fraser Island Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darwin $9.80Fraser Island $77
Typical Local Transportation prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
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Shuttle to Train Station$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Darwin Airport to Hotel: $142
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Darwin Airport: $142
- Wildman Fishing Tours - Fishing + Scenic Flight Transfer: $1,146
Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island and Darwin 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 dayDarwin $31Fraser Island $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darwin $13Fraser Island $37
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility: Two Iconic Territory Stories: $20
- Royal Flying Doctors Service Entry Ticket: $20
- Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $30
- Harbor Highlights Cruise: $32
- 2.5-Hour Harbour Sunset Cruise: $46
- Discover the City of Half-Day City Coach Tour: $51
- Darwin City Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Cruise: $52
- Bombing of Darwin WW2 Tour with Harbor Cruise: $93
- Jumping Crocs & Nature Adventure Cruise from Darwin: $94
- Darwin City tour - Darwin City and Lifestyle tour: $100
- Bombing of Darwin World War II Tour with Harbour Cruise: $100
- Litchfield Park Tour & Jumping Crocodile Cruise from Darwin: $126
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- Fraser Island 4-Hour Eco-Sailing Adventure: $65
- From Hervey Bay: Fraser Island 2-Day Coach Tour: $360
- Rainbow Beach Drive 4WD Tour from Noosa to Mooloolaba: $711
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarwin $11Fraser Island $17
Typical Alcohol prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
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Evening at a Bar$16
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Glass of Wine$4.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Darwin
Also in Darwin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Heli Pub Crawl – 4 Pubs: $782
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island than you might in Darwin.
When is the best time to visit Darwin or Fraser Island?
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 Darwin or Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Darwin is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the summer. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (83°F) in January, and Fraser Island stays around 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fraser Island. It's quite rainy in Darwin. In January, Darwin usually receives more rain than Fraser Island. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryDarwin 29°C (83°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Darwin or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island and Darwin during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Darwin is a little warmer than Fraser Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April are around 29°C (84°F), and Fraser Island is about 22°C (72°F).
Darwin usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Fraser Island. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilDarwin 29°C (84°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Darwin or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Fraser Island.
In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Fraser Island. Temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Fraser Island stays around 15°C (59°F).
In July, Darwin usually receives less rain than Fraser Island. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyDarwin 25°C (77°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Darwin or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Fraser Island.
Darwin is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the spring. The temperature in Darwin is usually 29°C (85°F) in October, and Fraser Island stays around 21°C (71°F).
Darwin usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Fraser Island. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberDarwin 29°C (85°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Darwin
| Darwin | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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