Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Gold Coast?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Gold Coast or Whitsundays?
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.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGold Coast $98Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Gold Coast is $98, 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 Gold Coast and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGold Coast $55Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGold Coast $110Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Gold Coast and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Gold Coast 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.Gold Coast $23Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Tandem Skydive Byron Bay with Transfers: $236
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Cruise Transfers: $151
- Tangalooma Desert Safari Day Cruise Transfers: $144
- Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $144
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Luxury Van: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Car: $127
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $125
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $125
- Tangalooma Beach Day Cruise with Bus Transfers: $112
- Australia Zoo Ticket and Roundtrip Transfer: $99
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 Gold Coast or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGold Coast $27Whitsundays $30
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:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $71
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $79
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.Gold Coast $19Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- Whale Watching Australia Experience (3hours): $79
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $185
- 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $50
- 2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $43
- 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour: $52
- 3-Day Ticket: Dreamworld with WhiteWaterWorld & SkyPoint: $96
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $36
- Arro Jet Boating Experience, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast: $52
- Breakfast sailing cruise includes snacks & drinks: $79
- Brisbane: Winery Tour with Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $147
- Broadwater Morning Cruise: $38
- Broadwater Morning Cruise with Spirit of Gold Coast: $39
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,852
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $192
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $90
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGold Coast $5.19Whitsundays $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Tamborine Mountain: Wine Tasting Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $122
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gold Coast and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Gold Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gold Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gold Coast 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Gold Coast.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gold Coast Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays?
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 Gold Coast or Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Gold Coast are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Gold Coast is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gold Coast in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. Gold Coast usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Gold Coast gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. In January, Gold Coast usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryGold Coast 25°C (77°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Gold Coast during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.
In April, Gold Coast is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Gold Coast average around 22°C (71°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. In the autumn, Gold Coast often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. Gold Coast usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilGold Coast 22°C (71°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gold Coast and Whitsundays. Many travelers come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Gold Coast is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Gold Coast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gold Coast usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays during winter. Gold Coast gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Gold Coast usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyGold Coast 15°C (59°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Gold Coast or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Gold Coast as well as Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Gold Coast in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Gold Coast is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gold Coast in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. In the spring, Gold Coast often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the spring. Gold Coast usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Gold Coast gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberGold Coast 21°C (69°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Gold Coast
| Gold Coast | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.