Which city is cheaper, Gold Coast or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Melbourne vs. Gold Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Melbourne or Gold Coast?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Gold Coast? 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 Gold Coast?
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.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $182Gold Coast $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $182, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $100. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $123Gold Coast $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $246Gold Coast $112
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Gold Coast? 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 $20Gold Coast $23
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:
- Private Transfer: Melbourne to Moorabbin Airport (MBW): $622
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $333
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $319
- Private 24 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $276
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $246
- Private 13 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $236
- Private Transfer: Melbourne to Avalon International Airport (AVV): $212
- Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $144
- Melbourne Airport Transfers: $137
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $135
- Departure Private Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $131
- Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Gold Coast Airport Departure Transfer: $89
- Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $164
- Private Airport Transfer to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) from South Gold Coast 1-6px: $47
- Private Airport Transfer to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) from North Gold Coast 1-6px: $67
- Private Airport Transfer to Brisbane Airport (BNE) from South Gold Coast 1-6 pax: $132
- Private Airport Transfer to Brisbane Airport (BNE) from North Gold Coast 1-6 pax: $107
- Private 24 Seat Mini Bus Gold Coast CBD to Gold Coast Airport Transfer: $268
- Private 13 Seat Mini Bus Gold Coast CBD to Gold Coast Airport Transfer: $236
- Theme Park Transfer: $32
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers : Gold Coast City to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $118
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers : Gold Coast City to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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 $31Gold Coast $28
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 $28Gold Coast $19
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- '56 Chevrolet 3-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $379
- '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
- '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Dandenong Ranges Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
- '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Yarra Valley Indulgence Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
- 12 Apostles Eco-Friendly Great Ocean Road Iconic Adventure from Melbourne: $119
- 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Express Private Tour: $375
- 2 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Great Ocean Road: $1,276
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour and Platypus paddle: $351
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne: $210
- 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour Roundtrip from Melbourne: $257
- 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne: $217
- 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade: $348
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- 4-Day Australian Outback Tour from the Gold Coast to Sydney: $905
- Birthday Tour: $130
- Broadwater Adventure + Helicopter Tour Combo: $91
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket: $36
- Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Gold Coast Waterfalls: $161
- Full-day Springbrook National Park Tour from the Gold Coast: $84
- Glow Worm Evening Eco-Adventure from the Gold Coast: $76
- Gold Coast Local Craft Beer and Breweries Tour: $143
- Gold Coast QLD: Tweed Hinterland Food & Drinks Tour: $126
- Gold Coast Sailing Cruise with sparkling wine & nibbles platter: $62
- Evening Rainforest and Glow Worm Experience: $71
- Introductory SCUBA Diving Experience: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Gold Coast $5.32
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Gold Coast, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Gold Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gold Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Gold Coast?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Melbourne or Gold Coast in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Gold Coast.
In the summer, Melbourne is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January are around 20°C (68°F), and Gold Coast is about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coast during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Gold Coast in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Gold Coast.
In April, Melbourne is generally cooler than Gold Coast. Temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Gold Coast stays around 22°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In the autumn, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Gold Coast in the Winter?
Both Gold Coast and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Melbourne is much colder than Gold Coast in the winter. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 9°C (49°F) in July, and Gold Coast stays around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Gold Coast in the Spring?
Both Gold Coast and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Melbourne is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October are around 14°C (57°F), and Gold Coast is about 21°C (69°F).
In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun.
Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Melbourne usually gets less rain in October than Gold Coast. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Gold Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
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