A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hobart vs. Christchurch for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hobart or Christchurch?

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 Christchurch 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 charming, fascinating, and quaint city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Hobart and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hobart or Christchurch?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Christchurch than Hobart, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hobart is more touristy than Christchurch and is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Christchurch is well known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Also, Christchurch is famous for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Hobart different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Christchurch. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

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

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

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 Christchurch is an experience not to be missed. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Christchurch for the nightlife scene. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hobart. 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.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is great for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Christchurch attract visitors from all over. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Both Hobart and Christchurch are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

Many visitors go to Hobart for the hiking trails. 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.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Hobart or Christchurch?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hobart and Christchurch both offer plenty of excellent spots.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Hobart is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Both Hobart and Christchurch are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hobart is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for couples. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Christchurch. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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

Is Hobart or Christchurch Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Hobart is not popular with students.

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

Hobart and Christchurch 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.

Christchurch has a few public transit options. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Hobart or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Hobart and Christchurch are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Christchurch is a very walkable destination. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Hobart?

How long in Hobart or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Hobart or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Christchurch due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hobart, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

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

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

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

One day in Hobart or Christchurch?

In Hobart, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historical city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

A weekend in Hobart or Christchurch?

Hobart is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Christchurch 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 Christchurch?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Hobart. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Christchurch?

Hobart is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Christchurch. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hobart and Christchurch, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart than you might in Christchurch.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hobart Expensive? and Is Christchurch Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hobart or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Hobart and Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?

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 Hobart or Christchurch in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hobart as well as Christchurch. Many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Christchurch in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hobart is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In the summer, Hobart often gets more sunshine than Christchurch. Hobart gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

Hobart usually gets less rain in January than Christchurch. Hobart gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hobart or Christchurch in the Autumn?

Both Christchurch and Hobart are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hobart in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hobart is a little warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hobart in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Hobart usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Hobart gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Hobart usually receives less rain than Christchurch. Hobart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hobart or Christchurch in the Winter?

Both Christchurch and Hobart during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Hobart is generally a little warmer than Christchurch. Daily temperatures in Hobart average around 9°C (47°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Hobart often gets more sunshine than Christchurch. Hobart gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Hobart usually gets less rain in July than Christchurch. Hobart gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hobart or Christchurch in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hobart and Christchurch. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

Hobart is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hobart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Christchurch during spring. Hobart gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Hobart usually receives more rain than Christchurch. Hobart gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Hobart