Which city is cheaper, Wollongong or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Melbourne vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Melbourne or Wollongong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Wollongong? 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 Wollongong?
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.
Wollongong
Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $182Wollongong $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $182, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $124. 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 Wollongong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $123Wollongong $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $246Wollongong $132
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Wollongong
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Wollongong? 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 and Wollongong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Wollongong $40
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Wollongong?
Prices for flights to both Wollongong 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 $31Wollongong $31
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
Typical Food prices in Wollongong
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:
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Lunch$7.98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $28Wollongong $23
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Wollongong $18
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 Wollongong, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Wollongong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wollongong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wollongong 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 Wollongong.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Wollongong?
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 Wollongong in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Wollongong.
In the summer, Melbourne is cooler than Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January are around 20°C (68°F), and Wollongong is about 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Wollongong 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Wollongong in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Wollongong.
In April, Melbourne is generally cooler than Wollongong. Temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Wollongong stays around 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Wollongong 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Wollongong in the Winter?
Both Wollongong and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Melbourne is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the winter. The temperature in Melbourne is usually 9°C (49°F) in July, and Wollongong stays around 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Wollongong 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Wollongong in the Spring?
Both Wollongong and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Melbourne is cooler than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October are around 14°C (57°F), and Wollongong is about 17°C (63°F).
In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets less rain in October than Wollongong. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Wollongong 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Wollongong and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Wollongong | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
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