A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Newcastle vs. Hobart for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Newcastle or Hobart?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Hobart? 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.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Hobart

Hobart is a quaint, historical, and charming city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Newcastle and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle or Hobart?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Newcastle. Although Newcastle and Hobart are both popular with visitors, Newcastle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Newcastle is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Hobart is known for its hiking. Hobart is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Newcastle is popular for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. It is also home to the Bathers Way.

How is Newcastle different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle or Hobart?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Newcastle or Hobart.

Newcastle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

Many visitors head to Hobart specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

Is the Food Better in Newcastle or Hobart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Newcastle and Hobart.

Dining out in Newcastle is an experience not to be missed. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hobart. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Newcastle for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hobart. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Newcastle is great for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Newcastle attract visitors from all over. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Hobart is a popular spot for hiking. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Many people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle or Hobart?

Both Newcastle and Hobart are excellent shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Families?

Hobart is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hobart is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Newcastle is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Couples?

Hobart is a well-known place for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Newcastle and Hobart are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Newcastle. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

Hobart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Is Newcastle or Hobart Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Newcastle and Hobart offer good public transit options.

Newcastle has a few public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Hobart has some public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Newcastle or Hobart a more walkable city?

Hobart is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Hobart is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

Newcastle is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle Worth Visiting? and Is Hobart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Newcastle?

How long in Newcastle or Hobart?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle and Hobart. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Newcastle than in Hobart. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hobart.

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

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

One day in Newcastle or Hobart?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Newcastle. 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 city of Hobart. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Newcastle or Hobart?

Newcastle 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 nightlife around the fascinating destination of Hobart. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Newcastle or Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Hobart. 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 Newcastle or Hobart?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Newcastle. 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.

Hobart 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newcastle and Hobart, we can see that Hobart 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart than you might in Newcastle.

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle or Hobart?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle and Hobart, 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 Newcastle or Hobart?

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 Hobart in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Hobart. Many visitors come to Newcastle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Newcastle is generally a little warmer than Hobart. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 22°C (72°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hobart. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle often gets less sunshine than Hobart. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun.

Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. Newcastle usually gets more rain in January than Hobart. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle or Hobart in the Autumn?

Both Hobart and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Newcastle is a little warmer than Hobart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Newcastle averages around 19°C (67°F) in April, and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Newcastle usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In April, Newcastle usually receives more rain than Hobart. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Newcastle or Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart and Newcastle during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In the winter, Newcastle is a little warmer than Hobart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Newcastle in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Hobart averages at about 9°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the winter, Newcastle often gets more sunshine than Hobart. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun.

Newcastle usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Hobart. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle or Hobart in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Hobart. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

In October, Newcastle is generally a little warmer than Hobart. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 18°C (64°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Newcastle usually receives more rain than Hobart. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Newcastle