A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Lake Tekapo? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Melbourne travel costs.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a small, remote, and basic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of Lake Tekapo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking. See Lake Tekapo travel costs.

Melbourne and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Melbourne. Although Melbourne and Lake Tekapo are both popular with visitors, Melbourne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Melbourne is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Tekapo is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Melbourne is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Lake Tekapo is popular for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Melbourne different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Melbourne is an experience not to be missed. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Melbourne know how to have a good time. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great destination for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Lake Tekapo. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo More Beautiful?

Lake Tekapo is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Lake Tekapo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. You really want to get out of town and explore the area's stunning natural beauty.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Lake Tekapo.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Lake Tekapo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Lake Tekapo make for a good place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Lake Tekapo is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Lake Tekapo are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Lake Tekapo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Students?

Melbourne is terrific for students. However, Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Melbourne is a great destination for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Melbourne or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Melbourne than Lake Tekapo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lake Tekapo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne than Lake Tekapo 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 Melbourne.

One day in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne is a friendly city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the town of Lake Tekapo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Tekapo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne is a friendly big city where you can fill many days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find around the remote destination of Lake Tekapo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne is a livable city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small town of Lake Tekapo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Melbourne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Lake Tekapo is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Melbourne 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 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 Lake Tekapo.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Lake Tekapo?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 11300 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Lake Tekapo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.