Which city is cheaper, Fraser Island or Katoomba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Katoomba vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Katoomba or Fraser Island?
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 Fraser Island. 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.
Where Should I go: Katoomba or Fraser Island?
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKatoomba $137Fraser Island $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Katoomba is $137, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $211. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Katoomba and Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKatoomba $79Fraser Island $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKatoomba $158Fraser Island $208
Compare Hotels in Katoomba and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Katoomba or Fraser Island? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Katoomba $51Fraser Island $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Katoomba or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island and Katoomba change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKatoomba $18Fraser Island $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Katoomba $55Fraser Island $45
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $35
- Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
- Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour: $67
- Small-Group Half-Day Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $99
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
- Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $119
- Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
- Small-Group Full-Day Canyoning and Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- Small-Group Full-Day Rock Climbing Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- From Sydney: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour Picnic & Hike: $181
- Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $184
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- Fraser Island 4-Hour Eco-Sailing Adventure: $65
- From Hervey Bay: Fraser Island 2-Day Coach Tour: $360
- Rainbow Beach Drive 4WD Tour from Noosa to Mooloolaba: $711
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKatoomba -Fraser Island $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Katoomba and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island is more expensive. And not only is Katoomba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katoomba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katoomba 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island than you might in Katoomba.
When is the best time to visit Katoomba or Fraser Island?
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 Katoomba or Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Katoomba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Katoomba is around the same temperature as Fraser Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Katoomba in January are around 24°C (74°F), and Fraser Island is about 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fraser Island. It's quite rainy in Katoomba. In January, Katoomba usually receives less rain than Fraser Island. Katoomba gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryKatoomba 24°C (74°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Katoomba or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island and Katoomba during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, Katoomba is generally cooler than Fraser Island. Temperatures in Katoomba average around 18°C (65°F), and Fraser Island stays around 22°C (72°F).
Katoomba usually gets less rain in April than Fraser Island. Katoomba gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilKatoomba 18°C (65°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Katoomba or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Katoomba and Fraser Island.
Katoomba is cooler than Fraser Island in the winter. The temperature in Katoomba is usually 11°C (51°F) in July, and Fraser Island stays around 15°C (59°F).
In July, Katoomba usually receives less rain than Fraser Island. Katoomba gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyKatoomba 11°C (51°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Katoomba or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Katoomba as well as Fraser Island.
In the spring, Katoomba is cooler than Fraser Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Katoomba in October are around 18°C (64°F), and Fraser Island is about 21°C (71°F).
Katoomba usually gets less rain in October than Fraser Island. Katoomba gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberKatoomba 18°C (64°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Katoomba
| Katoomba | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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