A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Picton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Melbourne or Picton?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Picton? 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 livable, friendly, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Melbourne. Although Melbourne and Picton are both popular with visitors, Melbourne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Melbourne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Picton is known for its hiking and small town charm. Picton is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. 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.

How is Melbourne different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton 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 Picton?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Both Melbourne and Picton offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Melbourne offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Melbourne and Picton are superb choices.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton 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 Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Picton?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Picton.

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.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Couples?

Picton is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Melbourne or Picton Better for Students?

Melbourne is very popular for students. However, Picton 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.

Picton is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Melbourne can get you to most places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Melbourne or Picton a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Picton are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Melbourne or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Melbourne than Picton 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 Picton.

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

One day in Melbourne or Picton?

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Picton. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Picton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Picton?

Melbourne 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.

You'll find museums and food around the picturesque destination of Picton. 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 Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Picton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the progressive big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Picton, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Picton.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Picton?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 1240 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Picton, 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.

When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Picton?

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 Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Picton. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Melbourne is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Picton. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In April, Melbourne is generally around the same temperature as Picton. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Picton. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Melbourne is around the same temperature as Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Picton. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Melbourne is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Picton. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Melbourne