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

Should you visit Hobart or Dunedin?

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 Dunedin 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. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a hilly, cultural, and vibrant city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Hobart and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hobart or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dunedin. Although Hobart and Dunedin are both popular with visitors, Dunedin has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dunedin is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Hobart is known for its food and hiking. Hobart is more touristy than Dunedin and is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Dunedin is popular for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. It is also home to .

How is Hobart different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Dunedin. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

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

Hobart is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Hobart is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Dunedin 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 Dunedin for the nightlife scene. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

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 Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Dunedin is a city with good options for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Dunedin. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Hobart is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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 Dunedin. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Hobart or Dunedin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hobart and Dunedin 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 Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Families?

Both Hobart and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Hobart is well known for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Hobart frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Dunedin. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

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

Is Hobart or Dunedin Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Dunedin. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Hobart is not popular with students.

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

Hobart and Dunedin both offer good 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.

Dunedin has a few public transit options. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Hobart or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Hobart and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is a very walkable destination. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Hobart?

How long in Hobart or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hobart and Dunedin. In our opinion, Dunedin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dunedin than Hobart. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hobart, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.

Couples should spend more time in Hobart than Dunedin. 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 Dunedin 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 Dunedin.

One day in Hobart or Dunedin?

In Hobart, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dunedin. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Hobart or Dunedin?

In Hobart, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hobart has to offer.

Dunedin 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 Dunedin?

Hobart is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dunedin. 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 Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hobart. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hobart. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Dunedin. 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 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 Dunedin, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Dunedin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dunedin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dunedin 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 Dunedin.

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

Which is Bigger, Hobart or Dunedin?

Dunedin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Hobart and Dunedin, 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.