A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle vs. Te Anau for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Newcastle or Te Anau?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Te Anau? 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 coastal, vibrant, and high energy 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. See Newcastle travel costs.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a stunning, pristine, and breathtaking town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. You'll find world class beauty in Te Anau as well. Other popular activities here include food and hiking. See Te Anau travel costs.

Newcastle and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle or Te Anau?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Newcastle. Although Newcastle and Te Anau are both popular with visitors, Newcastle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Newcastle is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Te Anau is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Te Anau is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park. 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 Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Newcastle is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Newcastle. 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.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

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

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

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 Te Anau. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Newcastle has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau Better for Beaches?

Newcastle is a very popular place for the beach. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

Te Anau is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

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 Te Anau?

Newcastle is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Newcastle is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau More Beautiful?

Te Anau is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Te Anau as well. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, world class national parks, and spectacular views.

Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau Better for Families?

Te Anau is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Te Anau is a very family-friendly destination. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

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 Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau is terrific for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Te Anau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

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 Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Te Anau is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Te Anau is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

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

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

Newcastle is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Newcastle or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Newcastle is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Newcastle?

How long in Newcastle or Te Anau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle and Te Anau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Newcastle than in Te Anau. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Newcastle than Te Anau if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Newcastle.

One day in Newcastle or Te Anau?

In Newcastle, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Te Anau is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Te Anau has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Newcastle or Te Anau?

In Newcastle, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Newcastle has to offer.

Te Anau is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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 Newcastle or Te Anau?

Newcastle is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Te Anau is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle or Te Anau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Newcastle. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Te Anau 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Newcastle and Te Anau, we can see that Te Anau is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle or Te Anau?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle and Te Anau, 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.