Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Newcastle?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Newcastle vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Newcastle or Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Newcastle or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNewcastle $92Katoomba $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $92, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $137. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Newcastle and Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNewcastle $45Katoomba $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNewcastle $90Katoomba $158
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Newcastle or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Newcastle $8.50Katoomba $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle Airport (NCL) Departure Private Transfer from Hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $128
- Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast Airport (BFS): $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $36Katoomba $18
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Newcastle $16Katoomba $54
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Maitland's True Crime Tour: $25
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $27
- Harbor and Coast 2.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $71
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $78
- Hunter Coastal Adventure Tour by Boat from Newcastle: $78
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Small Group Tour: $136
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $35
- Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
- Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour: $67
- Small-Group Half-Day Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $99
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
- Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $119
- Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
- Small-Group Full-Day Canyoning and Abseiling Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- Small-Group Full-Day Rock Climbing Adventure from Katoomba: $174
- From Sydney: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour Picnic & Hike: $181
- Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $184
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNewcastle $10Katoomba -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newcastle and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Newcastle.
When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Katoomba?
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 Newcastle or Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Newcastle is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newcastle in January are around 22°C (72°F), and Katoomba is about 24°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during summer. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In January, Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katoomba. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryNewcastle 22°C (72°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba and Newcastle during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, Newcastle is generally around the same temperature as Katoomba. Temperatures in Newcastle average around 19°C (67°F), and Katoomba stays around 18°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually gets more rain in April than Katoomba. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilNewcastle 19°C (67°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Katoomba.
Newcastle is a little warmer than Katoomba in the winter. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 13°C (55°F) in July, and Katoomba stays around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during winter. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Newcastle usually receives more rain than Katoomba. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyNewcastle 13°C (55°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Katoomba.
In the spring, Newcastle is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newcastle in October are around 18°C (64°F), and Katoomba is about 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the spring, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.
Newcastle usually gets more rain in October than Katoomba. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberNewcastle 18°C (64°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Newcastle
| Newcastle | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
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