A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Melbourne vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Pacific / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Melbourne or Byron Bay?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Byron Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Melbourne or Byron Bay?

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

Which city is cheaper, Byron Bay or Melbourne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $144, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $112. 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 Melbourne and Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melbourne $97
    Byron Bay $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melbourne $194
    Byron Bay $108
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Byron Bay? 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.

Hotels in Melbourne


Hotels in Byron Bay


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: Melbourne Hotel Prices and Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melbourne $16
    Byron Bay $26
Typical Local Transportation prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Melbourne Airport Departure Transfer from Melbourne CBD Hotels: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB) to Melbourne: $32
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Melbourne to Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB): $32
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Melbourne to Tullamarine Airport (MEL): $39
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $45
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Melbourne Downtown City to Airport: $53
  • Transfer in private Minivan from Melbourne City Downtown to Airport: $65
  • Departure Private Transfer Melbourne City to Melbourne Airport MEL by Sedan Car: $73
  • Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $78
  • Melbourne Airport To CBD Transfers Sedan (Audi A8, BMW 7 & Mercedes S-Class): $78
  • Melbourne AIRPORT TRANSFER: $79
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:

  • Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Melbourne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Melbourne $24
    Byron Bay $39
Typical Food prices in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.63
  • Pizza
    $4.60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Eynesbury Homestead: Dinner and 1.5-Hour Ghost Tour: $54
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $63
  • Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class: $72
  • Spice Factory 3-Hour Indian Cooking Class: $90
  • Private Australian Cooking Class in Melbourne using Native Produce: $125
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Melbourne Private Food Tour: $131
  • Vegan Cooking Class: $146
  • Private Modern Australian Cooking Class with a Professional Chef in Melbourne: $166
  • Private Market Tour and Australian Cooking Class with a Local Chef in her Home: $203
  • [PRIVATE TOUR] Best Of Melbourne Food Tours: $462

Typical Food prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.

  • Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $166
  • Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
  • Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melbourne $22
    Byron Bay $29

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Live like a Local: Explore some favourite spots on a playful audio walking tour: $5.40
  • Melbourne Audio Tour: A Self-Guided Walk Through the City: $6.99
  • Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $12
  • Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Melbourne Sports Walking Tour: $14
  • Green Cabs Melbourne Tours: $16
  • Eureka Skydeck 88 Admission Ticket: $20
  • ArtVo Immersive Gallery Experience: $22
  • Tour guide services: $22
  • Melbourne Ghost Tour: $23
  • Gangsters & Candy Stores (night tour with laser projector): $25

Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $125
  • Surf Lesson
    $43

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:

  • 3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay: $78
  • 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $67
  • 5 hour - Byron Bay Cycling Tour + Lunch: $150
  • 5-Hour Byron Bay Introductory Scuba Diving Tour: $170
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $134
  • Byron Bay 3-Hour Certified Dive Tour: $119
  • Byron Bay Combo: Hinterland Tour Including Minyon Falls and Kayaking with Dolphins: $182
  • Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $124
  • Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $122
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $74
  • Byron Bay Waves To Waterfalls Adventure Tour: $172
  • Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melbourne $13
    Byron Bay $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Melbourne

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $5.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Melbourne Bar Hunt: Melbourne Breakout Bar Crawl: $12
  • Melbourne CBD Pub Crawl: $16
  • Carlton Brewhouse Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour from Melbourne: $78
  • Hops and Barrels- Hop on Hop off Wine Tour Mornington Peninsula.: $83
  • Small-Group Guided Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Wine Tasting: $104
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Local Harvest Tastings from Melbourne: $115
  • Yarra Valley Local Produce and Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour Departing from Melbourne: $118
  • Mornington Peninsula Winery Tour Including Wine Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $118
  • Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Food and Wine Tour: $134

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay: $116
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $141
  • Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour: $172

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Byron Bay, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Byron Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Byron Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Byron Bay 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Byron Bay.


When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Byron Bay?

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 Melbourne or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Byron Bay.

Melbourne is cooler than Byron Bay in the summer. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 20°C (68°F) in January, and Byron Bay stays around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bay. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Melbourne is cooler than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April are around 15°C (60°F), and Byron Bay is about 20°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Byron Bay. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit.

In July, Melbourne is generally much colder than Byron Bay. Temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Byron Bay stays around 14°C (58°F).

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Byron Bay. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Melbourne or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Byron Bay.

Melbourne is cooler than Byron Bay in the spring. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 14°C (57°F) in October, and Byron Bay stays around 19°C (67°F).

In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Byron Bay. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Melbourne

Melbourne Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Melbourne
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Byron Bay
Perth vs. Melbourne
Perth vs. Byron Bay
Darwin vs. Melbourne
Darwin vs. Byron Bay
Alice Springs vs. Melbourne
Alice Springs vs. Byron Bay
Adelaide vs. Melbourne
Adelaide vs. Byron Bay
Torquay vs. Melbourne
Torquay vs. Byron Bay
Sydney vs. Melbourne
Sydney vs. Byron Bay
Surfers Paradise vs. Melbourne
Surfers Paradise vs. Byron Bay
Rockhampton vs. Melbourne
Rockhampton vs. Byron Bay
Noosa Heads vs. Melbourne
Noosa Heads vs. Byron Bay
Newcastle vs. Melbourne
Newcastle vs. Byron Bay
Melbourne vs. Katoomba
Melbourne vs. Hobart
Melbourne vs. Gold Coast
Melbourne vs. Fraser Island
Melbourne vs. Coffs Harbour
Melbourne vs. Wollongong
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Melbourne vs. Byron Bay Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.