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

Should you visit Katoomba or Hobart?

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 Hobart. 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Hobart

Hobart is a quaint, historical, and charming city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Katoomba and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Katoomba or Hobart?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hobart. Although Katoomba and Hobart are popular destinations, Hobart has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hobart is very popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is famous for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Hobart is famous for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. It is also well known for Battery Point.

How is Katoomba different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hobart 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 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.

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 Hobart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hobart 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, Hobart makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

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 Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Both Katoomba and Hobart 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 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 Katoomba or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is renowned for hiking. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Katoomba visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

Hobart is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Katoomba or Hobart?

Hobart is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Hobart is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Katoomba. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Is Katoomba or Hobart Better for Families?

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

Katoomba is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

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 Katoomba or Hobart Better for Couples?

Katoomba and Hobart both very good destinations for a couple.

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

Hobart makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Katoomba or Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

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

Both Katoomba and Hobart 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.

Hobart has some 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 Katoomba or Hobart a more walkable city?

Hobart is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Katoomba?

How long in Katoomba or Hobart?

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

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

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

One day in Katoomba or Hobart?

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

The city of Hobart offers 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.

A weekend in Katoomba or Hobart?

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Hobart 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hobart, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Katoomba or Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Katoomba. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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.

Hobart 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 Hobart?

Katoomba is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Hobart is a great place to explore. 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 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 Hobart, 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 Hobart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Katoomba or Hobart?

Hobart has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Katoomba and Hobart, 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 Hobart?

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 Hobart in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Katoomba as well as Hobart. Most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Katoomba is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Katoomba in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Hobart averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hobart. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In the summer, Katoomba often gets less sunshine than Hobart. Katoomba gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun.

Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Katoomba usually gets more rain in January than Hobart. Katoomba gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Katoomba or Hobart in the Autumn?

Both Hobart and Katoomba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In April, Katoomba is generally a little warmer than Hobart. Daily temperatures in Katoomba average around 18°C (65°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Katoomba usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during autumn. Katoomba gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Katoomba usually receives more rain than Hobart. Katoomba gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Katoomba or Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart and Katoomba during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Katoomba is a little warmer than Hobart in the winter. The daily temperature in Katoomba averages around 11°C (51°F) in July, and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. In the winter, Katoomba often gets more sunshine than Hobart. Katoomba gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun.

Katoomba usually gets less rain in July than Hobart. Katoomba gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Katoomba or Hobart in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Katoomba and Hobart. Many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Katoomba is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Katoomba in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Hobart averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Katoomba usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during spring. Katoomba gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Katoomba usually receives more rain than Hobart. Katoomba gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Katoomba