Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Fraser Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fraser Island or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fraser Island and Whitsundays. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Fraser Island or Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFraser Island $206Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Fraser Island is $206, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fraser Island and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFraser Island $102Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFraser Island $204Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Fraser Island and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Fraser Island or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fraser Island $92Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Fraser Island or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Fraser Island 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 dayFraser Island $47Whitsundays $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fraser Island $44Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $52
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $99
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise : $79
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $109
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour: $181
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $165
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $165
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $90
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $147
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $192
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,852
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFraser Island $20Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fraser Island and Whitsundays, we can see that Fraser Island is more expensive. And not only is Whitsundays much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whitsundays would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fraser Island Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Fraser Island or Whitsundays?
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 Fraser Island or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Fraser Island as well as Whitsundays. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
In January, Fraser Island is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Fraser Island average around 26°C (78°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Fraser Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fraser Island usually gets less rain in January than Whitsundays. Fraser Island gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFraser Island 26°C (78°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Fraser Island or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Fraser Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fraser Island for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Fraser Island is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fraser Island averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In April, Fraser Island usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Fraser Island gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFraser Island 22°C (72°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Fraser Island or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Fraser Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Fraser Island in the winter for the cuisine.
In the winter, Fraser Island is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fraser Island in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F).
Fraser Island usually gets more rain in July than Whitsundays. Fraser Island gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyFraser Island 15°C (59°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Fraser Island or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fraser Island and Whitsundays. Most visitors come to Fraser Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In October, Fraser Island is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Fraser Island average around 21°C (71°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Fraser Island usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Fraser Island gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFraser Island 21°C (71°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Fraser Island
| Fraser Island | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.