A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Noosa Heads vs. Arrowtown for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Noosa Heads and Arrowtown can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Noosa Heads and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Noosa Heads and Arrowtown are popular destinations, Arrowtown has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arrowtown is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Noosa Heads attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Noosa Heads is famous for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. Arrowtown is famous for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also well known for the Chinese Settlement.

How is Noosa Heads different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a great town for skiing. However, Noosa Heads is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Arrowtown. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Noosa Heads is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

Is the Food Better in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Noosa Heads and Arrowtown offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Noosa Heads has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Dining out in Arrowtown is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Noosa Heads and Arrowtown.

If you're looking for night time activities Noosa Heads has a few options to choose from. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is terrific for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Noosa Heads is a very popular vacation destination. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a great town for its old town. However, Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Noosa Heads does not have a historic old town.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is a must-visit destination for hiking. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

Around Arrowtown visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Noosa Heads is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is a great town for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Arrowtown is well-known for its shopping. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown More Beautiful?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Arrowtown is not a destination known for its beauty.

Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Arrowtown is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Both Noosa Heads and Arrowtown are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Noosa Heads is very family-friendly. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Arrowtown is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Both Noosa Heads and Arrowtown are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Noosa Heads is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Arrowtown is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Noosa Heads and Arrowtown are superb places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Noosa Heads. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

Arrowtown is a very popular coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Noosa Heads and Arrowtown both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Noosa Heads offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Arrowtown has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Noosa Heads or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Noosa Heads is very walkable. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Noosa Heads Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Noosa Heads?

How long in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Noosa Heads than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Noosa Heads, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Noosa Heads 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 Arrowtown.

One day in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Even though Noosa Heads is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Arrowtown. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the hiking. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. 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 coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quirky small town of Arrowtown. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Noosa Heads 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. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historic town of Arrowtown offers museums and skiing. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Noosa Heads is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting Arrowtown. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Noosa Heads and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown 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 Noosa Heads Expensive? and Is Arrowtown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Noosa Heads or Arrowtown?

Noosa Heads has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Noosa Heads and Arrowtown, 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.