Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Newcastle?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Newcastle vs. Brisbane for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Newcastle or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Newcastle or Brisbane? 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: Newcastle or Brisbane?
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNewcastle $73Brisbane $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $73, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $106. 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 Newcastle and Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNewcastle $36Brisbane $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNewcastle $72Brisbane $130
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Newcastle or Brisbane? 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: Newcastle Hotel Prices and Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Newcastle $6.77Brisbane $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast Airport (BFS): $148
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $128
- Newcastle Airport (NCL) Departure Private Transfer from Hotels: $47
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.87
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Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sunshine Coast Airport Arrival transfer to Hotels: $14
- Brisbane Arrival Transfer Shuttle from Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $16
- Brisbane Departure Transfer Shuttle from Hotel to Brisbane Airport: $16
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer to or from Brisbane CBD Maxmium 10 Person: $29
- Brisbane Airport to Brisbane City Round-trip Shuttle Transfer: $32
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer to or from Brisbane CBD Maxmium 10 Person: $33
- Brisbane Private Chauffeured Airport Transfer: $37
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Brisbane Airport: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $40
- Brisbane Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer to the Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $41
- Brisbane Airport Arrival transfer to Gold Coast shared shuttle: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane and Newcastle 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 dayNewcastle $29Brisbane $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.
- Looking for a fun experience, hit the sweet spot with beer and pizza at Slice!: $73
Typical Food prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.26
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Cup of Coffee$1.97
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.22
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Ice cream$3.62
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.28
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Japanese Soup$7.56
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Coffee & Muffin$4.60
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Morning Mint Tea$2.30
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.21
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Bread$1.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Food Tour with Coffee and Wine Tastings: $184
- Brisbane Food Tour: A Taste of Queensland: $202
- 3-Course Progressive Dinner Experience in Brisbane: $237
- Queensland Food Tour: Farm-to-Table Indulgence: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Newcastle $12Brisbane $19
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Small Group Tour: $136
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $78
- Hunter Coastal Adventure Tour by Boat from Newcastle: $78
- Maitland's True Crime Tour: $25
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $27
- Harbor and Coast 2.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $71
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Newstead House General Entry Ticket: $9.48
- Green Cabs Brisbane Tours: $16
- Midday River Sightseeing Cruise: $24
- True Crime Tour: $25
- Brisbane Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Guided River Kayak Tour: $47
- River Cruise with Lunch: $50
- Express Segway Tour of Brisbane: $50
- Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit: $61
- Byron Bay Day Tour: $78
- Brisbane to Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass: $86
- Wine & Food Pairing Experience: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNewcastle $8.27Brisbane $41
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- From Hunter Valley Brewery Tour with Lunch: $136
Typical Alcohol prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.87
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Sixpack of Beer$9.21
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Guiness Beer$5.59
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Sixpack of Beer$8.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- Deluxe Wine Tasting Tour Mt Tamborine Includes 2 course Lunch: $94
- Morning or Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $111
- Mt Tamborine Wine Tour: $119
- Brisbane Half-Day Private Brewery Tour: $119
- Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $119
- Northern Rivers food & Wine Tour from Brisbane: $119
- Two Day xxxx Brewery and Tamborine Winery Tour: $198
- Private Full Day Wine Tour from Brisbane to Tamborine Mountain: $474
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newcastle and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Newcastle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Newcastle.
When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Brisbane?
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 Newcastle or Brisbane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Brisbane.
Newcastle is cooler than Brisbane in the summer. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 22°C (72°F) in January, and Brisbane stays around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle often gets less sunshine than Brisbane. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. Newcastle usually gets less rain in January than Brisbane. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryNewcastle 22°C (72°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Brisbane in the Autumn?
Both Brisbane and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Newcastle is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Newcastle in April are around 19°C (67°F), and Brisbane is about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbane during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In April, Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brisbane. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilNewcastle 19°C (67°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Brisbane in the Winter?
Both Brisbane and Newcastle during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Newcastle is generally cooler than Brisbane. Temperatures in Newcastle average around 13°C (55°F), and Brisbane stays around 15°C (59°F).
In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the winter, Newcastle often gets less sunshine than Brisbane. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.
Newcastle usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brisbane. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyNewcastle 13°C (55°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Brisbane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Brisbane.
Newcastle is cooler than Brisbane in the spring. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Brisbane stays around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Brisbane. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberNewcastle 18°C (64°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Newcastle
| Newcastle | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
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