Which city is cheaper, Wollongong or Newcastle?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Newcastle vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Newcastle or Wollongong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Newcastle 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: Newcastle or Wollongong?
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.
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 dayNewcastle $93Wollongong $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $93, 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 Newcastle and Wollongong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNewcastle $46Wollongong $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNewcastle $92Wollongong $132
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Wollongong
Looking for a hotel in Newcastle 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: Newcastle Hotel Prices and Wollongong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Newcastle $8.55Wollongong $40
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Wollongong?
Prices for flights to both Wollongong 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 $36Wollongong $31
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 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.Newcastle $16Wollongong $23
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNewcastle $10Wollongong $18
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 Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Newcastle.
When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Wollongong?
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 Wollongong in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Wollongong.
Newcastle is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the summer. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 22°C (72°F) in January, and Wollongong stays around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.
Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. Newcastle usually gets more rain in January than Wollongong. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryNewcastle 22°C (72°F)Wollongong 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Wollongong in the Autumn?
Both Wollongong and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Newcastle is around the same temperature as Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Newcastle in April are around 19°C (67°F), and Wollongong is about 18°C (64°F).
Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In April, Newcastle usually receives more rain than Wollongong. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilNewcastle 19°C (67°F)Wollongong 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Wollongong in the Winter?
Both Wollongong and Newcastle during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Newcastle is generally a little warmer than Wollongong. Temperatures in Newcastle average around 13°C (55°F), and Wollongong stays around 10°C (50°F).
In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the winter, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.
Newcastle usually gets more rain in July than Wollongong. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyNewcastle 13°C (55°F)Wollongong 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Newcastle or Wollongong in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Wollongong.
Newcastle is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the spring. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Wollongong stays around 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong 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 Wollongong during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Newcastle usually receives more rain than Wollongong. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberNewcastle 18°C (64°F)Wollongong 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Wollongong and Newcastle
| Newcastle | Wollongong | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
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