A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Canberra for Couples, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Lombok 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 Lombok 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Lombok travel costs.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Canberra travel costs.

Lombok and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Canberra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Canberra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Canberra is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Lombok is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Lombok different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Canberra is great for its historical sights. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lombok. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

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

Foodies will find both Lombok and Canberra both to be superb destinations.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dining out in Canberra is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Lombok or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Lombok and Canberra.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Lombok or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

Lombok is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Canberra Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Lombok a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Lombok is terrific for the beach. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Lombok. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Lombok or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lombok. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

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 Lombok or Canberra?

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

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Lombok or Canberra More Beautiful?

Lombok is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Canberra is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Canberra is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Canberra Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Canberra are superb family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

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 Lombok or Canberra Better for Couples?

Lombok is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Lombok makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Canberra is a good island 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 Lombok or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

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 Lombok or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Lombok 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.

Lombok is not popular with students.

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

Canberra is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Canberra offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Canberra a more walkable city?

Canberra is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lombok and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Canberra. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

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

One day in Lombok or Canberra?

The beautiful island of Lombok offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Canberra?

Lombok is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Canberra 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 Lombok or Canberra?

Lombok is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. 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 Lombok or Canberra?

Lombok is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one week is probably not enough for all of it. This island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lombok is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Lombok.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Canberra?

Canberra has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lombok is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Canberrain January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Canberra. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Canberrain April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Canberrain July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Lombok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city.

Lombok is much warmer than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.

Lombok usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Canberrain October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Lombok