A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hobart vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hobart or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Hobart and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hobart or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hobart. Although Hobart and Rotorua are both popular with visitors, Hobart has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hobart is more popular for its shopping, while Rotorua is known for its impressive beauty. Hobart is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. It is also home to Battery Point. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Hobart different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Hobart and Rotorua.

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 Rotorua is an experience not to be missed. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Hobart or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Hobart and Rotorua.

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 Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Hobart or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Both Hobart and Rotorua are destinations which offer great 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.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Hobart or Rotorua?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Hobart. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Hobart or Rotorua Better for Families?

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

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

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

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua 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, Rotorua is extremely popular for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

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

Hobart and Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Hobart or Rotorua a more walkable city?

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

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Hobart?

How long in Hobart or Rotorua?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

One day in Hobart or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

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 cultural destination of Rotorua. This town 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hobart and Rotorua, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

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

Which is Bigger, Hobart or Rotorua?

Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Hobart and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hobart and Rotorua. The summer months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the summer, Hobart is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hobart in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In January, Hobart usually receives less rain than Rotorua. Hobart gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hobart or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hobart as well as Rotorua. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hobart this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Hobart is generally cooler than Rotorua. Daily temperatures in Hobart average around 14°C (57°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Hobart usually gets more rain in April than Rotorua. Hobart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hobart or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Hobart are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hobart is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Hobart averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In July, Hobart usually receives more rain than Rotorua. Hobart gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hobart or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Hobart during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Hobart is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hobart in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Hobart usually gets more rain in October than Rotorua. Hobart gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Hobart