Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Lake Tekapo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lake Tekapo or Whitsundays?
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 Lake Tekapo and Whitsundays. 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: Lake Tekapo or Whitsundays?
Lake Tekapo
Tekapo is a lakeside town on the South Island of New Zealand, and it is part of the Mackenzie District of Canterbury. This is one of the bluest lakes in the country and is surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Tekapo $75Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Tekapo is $75, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lake Tekapo and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Tekapo $59Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Tekapo $118Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Lake Tekapo and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Lake Tekapo or Whitsundays? 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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Tekapo -Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Tekapo or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Lake Tekapo 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 dayLake Tekapo $13Whitsundays $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Tekapo -Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lake Tekapo Tour Scenic 4WD Mountains & Glaciers: $181
- 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
- Arthur's Pass and Mount Cook: 2-Day Tour From Christchurch: $1,455
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
- Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85
- Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
- From Tekapo: Mt Cook day tour via Pukaki, Tasman Glacier: $100
- High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $59
- Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $178
- Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours: $178
- Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $178
- Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $59
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Tekapo -Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Tekapo and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Tekapo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Tekapo 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Lake Tekapo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake Tekapo Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.