A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Darwin vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Surfers Paradise, 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Darwin travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a glamourous, high energy, and thrilling city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Darwin and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Darwin and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Darwin is known for its hiking. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Darwin and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Darwin is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Darwin different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise can be an interesting and educational experience. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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 Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

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

Surfers Paradise is a must-see party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

Is Darwin or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Surfers Paradise to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Darwin or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for the beach. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Surfers Paradise are among the best in the world. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Darwin is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Surfers Paradise 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

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

The abundance of shops in Surfers Paradise make it a world-class shopping destination. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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

Is Darwin or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Darwin. 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.

Is Darwin or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

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

Both Darwin and Surfers Paradise offer good public transit options.

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

Surfers Paradise has some public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Darwin or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Darwin and Surfers Paradise both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable town. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

Both Darwin and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Darwin. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Darwin, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the multicultural town of Darwin. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Darwin is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glamourous destination of Surfers Paradise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Darwin and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Surfers Paradise?

Darwin has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Darwin and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the summer, Darwin is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Darwin in January average around 29°C (83°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Surfers Paradise. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In April, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (84°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Surfers Paradise. Many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Darwin is much warmer than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Darwin is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Darwin in October average around 29°C (85°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradise. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Darwin