Should you visit Gold Coast or Christchurch?
Should I visit Gold Coast or Christchurch? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
Which city is cheaper, Christchurch or Gold Coast?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Gold Coast is $88, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $91. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Gold Coast and Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $98 in Gold Coast For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $47. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Christchurch the cost is $94 on average.
Food
The average traveler spends about $24 per day in Gold Coast for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in Christchurch costs travelers about $29 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Gold Coast $24
Christchurch $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Pizza Making Class in Hunter Valley:
$48
-
Pizza Paddle Sunset Kayak Tour in Bateman's Bay:
$66
-
Dinner Cruise at Sydney Harbour with Optional Mast Climb Experience:
$72
-
Cairns Dinner Cruise by Spirit of Cairns:
$73
-
Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner Show Ticket:
$74
-
Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise:
$75
-
Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Captain Cook:
$77
-
Dumpling Cooking Class in Melbourne:
$80
-
Cairns Aquarium Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner:
$88
-
Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour:
$109
-
Private Cooking School in the Hunter Valley:
$114
-
Mexican Cooking Class in Melbourne:
$122
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Christchurch
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Christchurch.
-
Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Optional Buffet Lunch or Dinner:
$47
-
Tramway Restaurant 4 Course Dinner Service through Christchurch:
$92
-
Taste Auckland Group Food Tour:
$98
-
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$102
-
Sunset / Night Kayak to Rangitoto Island with BBQ Dinner:
$138
-
Queenstown Wine and Food Tour:
$141
-
Willowbank Kiwi Tour and Maori Concert Including Hangi Dinner from Christchurch:
$174
Local Transportation
Gold Coast's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $21 per person, per day on transportation in Gold Coast.
The average price of local transportation around Christchurch is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
WhiteWater World Return Shared Transfer from Gold Coast Hotels:
$18
-
Avalon Airport (AVV) Express Transfer by SkyBus for Melbourne City:
$15
-
Brisbane Airport Departure transfer From the Gold Coast shared shuttle:
$43
-
Departure Private Transfers from Gold Coast City to Gold Coast Airport OOL:
$124
-
Departure Private Transfers from Gold Coast City to Gold Coast Airport OOL:
$92
-
Dreamworld Return Shared Transfer from Gold Coast Hotels:
$18
-
Fitzroy Island Ferry Transfer Ticket from Cairns:
$49
-
Gold Coast Airport Arrival Shared Transfer:
$17
-
Gold Coast Airport Departure Transfer:
$18
-
Gold Coast Airport Transfers : Gold Coast City to Airport OOL in Business Car:
$92
-
Gold Coast Airport Transfers : Gold Coast City to Airport OOL in Luxury Car:
$128
-
Gold Coast Airport Transfers : Gold Coast City to Airport OOL in Luxury Van:
$118
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
-
Private & Exclusive One-Way Transfer Christchurch to Queenstown:
$1,264
-
Christchurch to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier One-Way Transfer:
$1,185
-
Private Transfer: Christchurch to Mount Cook:
$790
-
Christchurch To Lake Tekapo One-way Transfer:
$672
-
Private Transfers to Cardrona Ski Field or Treble Cone Ski Field:
$629
-
Private Luxury Transfers to The Remarkables:
$445
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to The Remarkables:
$431
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to Coronet Peak:
$389
-
Private Luxury Transfers to Coronet Peak:
$375
-
Christchurch to Akaroa transfer up to 4 people:
$186
-
Christchurch to Methven Private Transfer(Or Methven to Christchurch):
$163
-
Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Car:
$121
Is it cheaper to fly into Gold Coast or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch and Gold Coast 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Gold Coast can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $17 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Christchurch's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
-
North Stradbroke Island Water Taxi Ferry Ticket:
$7.95
-
Bridestowe Lavender Estate Tour:
$8.85
-
Searoad Ferry Tickets between Queenscliff and Sorrento:
$8.85
-
Koala Conservation Reserve Tickets in Phillip Island:
$9.95
-
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre Experience:
$11
-
Margaret River Region Lighthouse Tours:
$11
-
Sydney Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour with Mobile App:
$12
-
Kuranda Koala Gardens General Admission Ticket in Cairns:
$13
-
Melbourne Sports Lovers Tours:
$13
-
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Ticket:
$13
-
Private Hunter Valley Wine Barrel Rolling Experience:
$13
-
Kuranda Bird World General Admission Ticket in Cairns:
$13
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
4WD-U Drive Experience:
$232
-
Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour from Auckland:
$140
-
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland:
$211
-
Kaituna Whitewater Rafting Experience :
$84
-
Kaituna Whitewater Sledging Experience:
$91
-
Milford Sound Vista Day Tour from Queenstown or Te Anau:
$127
-
Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater Hiking Experience:
$131
-
Putt and Glow Indoor Mini Golf Experience in Queenstown:
$12
-
Queenstown Scenic Cruise - Spirit of Queenstown:
$28
-
Queenstown Tiki Tour:
$70
-
Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland:
$188
-
Ultimate Queenstown Highlights Tour:
$77
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Gold Coast, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $4.69.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Christchurch may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
-
Savannah Estate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Tempus Two Wine Tasting Experience:
$3.69
-
Hanging Tree Wines Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Capercaillie Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Misty Glen Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Tintilla Estate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Hunter’s Dream Estate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$3.69
-
Pokolbin Estate Wine Tasting Experience:
$3.69
-
Wine Tasting at Horner Wines in Hunter Valley:
$7.39
-
Talits Estate Cellar Door Wine Tasting Experience:
$7.39
-
Wine Tasting at Wine House in Hunter Valley:
$7.39
-
Glandore Estate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley:
$7.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Sip Marlborough Wine Tour:
$69
-
Wine Tours from Queenstown:
$71
-
Gibbston Valley Ride and Wine Tours:
$88
-
Bubbly Grape Marlborough Wine Tours:
$92
-
A Waipara Wine Experience with Giles Tours, includes wine tastings and lunch:
$95
-
All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch:
$100
-
Akaroa Eco-Safari with Alpaca Farm Tour and Wine Tasting:
$103
-
Full-day Akaroa Tour with Penguins Safari and Wine Tasting:
$114
-
Lyttelton Shore Excursion - Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch:
$115
-
Afternoon Brewery Tour with Lunch in Queenstown:
$117
-
Wine Tasting Sampler Tour from Queenstown:
$119
-
Queenstown’s Original Wine Tour:
$119
When comparing the travel costs between Gold Coast and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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.
Related Articles for Gold Coast
Related Articles for Christchurch
