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

Should you visit Katoomba or Canberra?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Katoomba and Canberra. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a peaceful, serene, and natural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Katoomba and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Katoomba or Canberra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Canberra. Although Katoomba and Canberra are popular destinations, Canberra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Katoomba different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Canberra is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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

Canberra is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Canberra makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Katoomba or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Both Katoomba and Canberra are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Katoomba or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is terrific for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Katoomba specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

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 Katoomba or Canberra?

Both Katoomba and Canberra are nice shopping destinations.

Katoomba is a great destination for shopping. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Katoomba or Canberra Better for Families?

Katoomba is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Katoomba is a very family-friendly destination. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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 Katoomba or Canberra Better for Couples?

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

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Canberra is a good town 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 Katoomba or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Katoomba is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Katoomba. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

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 Katoomba or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a well-known place for students. However, Katoomba is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Katoomba is not popular with students.

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

Both Katoomba and Canberra offer nice public transit options.

Katoomba has a few public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Canberra has some 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 Katoomba or Canberra a more walkable city?

Katoomba and Canberra both are nice when exploring on foot.

Katoomba is somewhat walkable. The town itself is relatively walkable.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Katoomba Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Katoomba?

How long in Katoomba or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Katoomba and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Katoomba than in Canberra. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Katoomba, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

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

One day in Katoomba or Canberra?

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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.

The city of Canberra offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Katoomba or Canberra?

Katoomba is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Katoomba, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Canberra, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Katoomba or Canberra?

Katoomba is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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.

Canberra 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.

A week in Katoomba or Canberra?

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 town offers something for everyone.

Canberra is a great place to explore. 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Katoomba or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Katoomba 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 Katoomba or Canberra?

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 Katoomba or Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra and Katoomba during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Katoomba is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Katoomba in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. Katoomba usually gets more rain in January than Canberra. Katoomba gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Katoomba or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Katoomba and Canberra. Many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In April, Katoomba is generally around the same temperature as Canberra. Daily temperatures in Katoomba average around 18°C (65°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Katoomba usually receives less rain than Canberra. Katoomba gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Katoomba or Canberra in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Katoomba as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Katoomba in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Katoomba is around the same temperature as Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Katoomba averages around 11°C (51°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Katoomba usually gets less rain in July than Canberra. Katoomba gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Katoomba or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Katoomba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Katoomba is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Katoomba in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In October, Katoomba usually receives less rain than Canberra. Katoomba gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Katoomba