A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Melbourne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Darwin or Melbourne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Melbourne, 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Darwin and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Melbourne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Darwin. Melbourne is bigger than Darwin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Darwin is more popular for its hiking. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Darwin different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Melbourne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Darwin or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is notable for the beache. 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 Melbourne. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

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 Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

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.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Melbourne?

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

Melbourne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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

Is Darwin or Melbourne Better for Families?

Darwin and Melbourne 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 Melbourne. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Darwin or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Darwin and Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a good town for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Darwin or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Darwin and Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a good town to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Darwin or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is terrific for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a great destination for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne can get you around easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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

Is Darwin or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Melbourne?

In either Darwin or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Darwin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Darwin, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

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

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

One day in Darwin or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Melbourne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the local town of Darwin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Darwin or Melbourne?

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Melbourne. 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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Darwin and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

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 Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Melbourne. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Melbourne. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Melbourne in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Darwin is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Darwin usually receives more rain than Melbourne. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Melbourne in the Winter?

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

In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Melbourne. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°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 Melbourne. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Darwin or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne 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 Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Darwin is much warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (85°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives more rain than Melbourne. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Darwin