A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Hobart vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Hobart or Canberra?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hobart and Canberra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hobart

Hobart is a historical, charming, and fascinating city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Hobart and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hobart or Canberra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Canberra than Hobart, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Canberra is better known for its big city activities, while Hobart is more popular for its hiking and shopping. Hobart is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Hobart different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra and Hobart. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hobart or Canberra?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Hobart and Canberra.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Is the Food Better in Hobart or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Hobart and Canberra.

Hobart has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Hobart and Canberra.

If you're looking for night time activities Hobart has a few options to choose from. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Hobart is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hobart or Canberra?

Hobart is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Hobart is well-known for its shopping. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Families?

Both Hobart and Canberra are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Hobart is very family-friendly. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Couples?

Hobart is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Hobart makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hobart is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Hobart is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Hobart is not popular with students.

Is Hobart or Canberra Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hobart and Canberra both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Hobart offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Hobart or Canberra a more walkable city?

Hobart is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Hobart is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Hobart Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Hobart?

How long in Hobart or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hobart and Canberra. In our opinion, Hobart has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hobart than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hobart than Canberra 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 Hobart.

One day in Hobart or Canberra?

The city of Hobart offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hobart or Canberra?

Hobart is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hobart, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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 Hobart or Canberra?

Hobart is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hobart or Canberra?

Hobart is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Hobart and Canberra, we can see that Hobart 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 Hobart Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hobart or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Hobart and Canberra, 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 Hobart or Canberra?

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 Hobart or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hobart and Canberra. Many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hobart is cooler than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In January, Hobart usually receives less rain than Canberra. Hobart gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hobart or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hobart as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Hobart in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hobart is cooler than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hobart in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Hobart usually gets less rain in April than Canberra. Hobart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hobart or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Hobart are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Hobart is generally cooler than Canberra. Daily temperatures in Hobart average around 9°C (47°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In July, Hobart usually receives more rain than Canberra. Hobart gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hobart or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Hobart during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

Hobart is cooler than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Hobart usually gets less rain in October than Canberra. Hobart gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Hobart