A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Hobart vs. Gold Coast for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hobart or Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast 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 fascinating, quaint, and historical city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a glamourous, vibrant, and colorful coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hobart and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hobart or Gold Coast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gold Coast. Although Hobart and Gold Coast are both popular with visitors, Gold Coast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gold Coast is more touristy than Hobart and is known for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Hobart is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails.

How is Hobart different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Gold Coast. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

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

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

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 Gold Coast is an experience not to be missed. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

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

Gold Coast is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

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 Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Hobart is not a resort destination.

Gold Coast is a world class resort vacation destination. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Hobart is not a resort destination.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gold Coast is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Gold Coast is renowned for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Gold Coast is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

Both Hobart and Gold Coast 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.

Gold Coast is a popular spot for hiking. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Is the Shopping Better in Hobart or Gold Coast?

If you're looking to go shopping, Hobart and Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Families?

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

Gold Coast is an extremely popular coastline to visit for families. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

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 Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Gold Coast is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Gold Coast is a great coastline for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gold Coast is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Gold Coast is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

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

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

Gold Coast is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Gold Coast has some very good public transit options. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Hobart or Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Hobart is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for its walkability.

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

Gold Coast is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Hobart?

How long in Hobart or Gold Coast?

Both Hobart and Gold Coast have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Gold Coast than in Hobart. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hobart, and 3-7 days is enough time in Gold Coast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Hobart or Gold Coast?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Hobart, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. 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 Gold Coast?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Hobart, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Gold Coast is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hobart or Gold Coast?

Hobart, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gold Coast. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hobart or Gold Coast?

Hobart is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful destination of Gold Coast. This coastline offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hobart and Gold Coast, we can see that Hobart 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 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 Gold Coast.

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

Which is Bigger, Hobart or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Hobart and Gold Coast, 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 Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast in the Summer?

Both Gold Coast and Hobart are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hobart is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hobart in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hobart. Hobart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coast during summer. Hobart gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In January, Hobart usually receives less rain than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hobart or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

Both Gold Coast and Hobart during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hobart in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Hobart is generally much colder than Gold Coast. Daily temperatures in Hobart average around 14°C (57°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Hobart often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun.

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hobart usually gets less rain in April than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hobart or Gold Coast in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hobart and Gold Coast. Most visitors come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hobart is much colder than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. Hobart usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Hobart gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Hobart usually receives less rain than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hobart or Gold Coast in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hobart as well as Gold Coast. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

In the spring, Hobart is much colder than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hobart in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In the spring, Hobart often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Hobart usually gets less rain in October than Gold Coast. Hobart gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Hobart