Which city is cheaper, Fraser Island or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Melbourne vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Melbourne or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Fraser Island? 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 Fraser Island?
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.
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 dayMelbourne $182Fraser Island $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $182, 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 Melbourne and Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $123Fraser Island $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $246Fraser Island $208
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Fraser Island $95
Typical Local Transportation prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.53
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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
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Food Meals for one dayMelbourne $31Fraser Island $48
Typical Food prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.66
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Pizza$4.65
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $28Fraser Island $45
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
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 dayMelbourne $17Fraser Island $21
Typical Alcohol prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.15
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
When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Fraser Island?
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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Fraser Island.
Melbourne is cooler than Fraser Island in the summer. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 20°C (68°F) in January, and Fraser Island stays around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Fraser Island. Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Island. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Melbourne is cooler than Fraser Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April are around 15°C (60°F), and Fraser Island is about 22°C (72°F).
In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Fraser Island. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Fraser Island in the Winter?
Both Fraser Island and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Melbourne is generally much colder than Fraser Island. Temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Fraser Island stays around 15°C (59°F).
Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Fraser Island. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Fraser Island.
Melbourne is much colder than Fraser Island in the spring. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 14°C (57°F) in October, and Fraser Island stays around 21°C (71°F).
In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Fraser Island. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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