A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Noosa Heads vs. Canberra for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Noosa Heads or Canberra?

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 Canberra 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 relaxed, peaceful, and scenic coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Noosa Heads and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Noosa Heads or Canberra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Canberra than Noosa Heads, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Canberra is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Noosa Heads is more popular for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Noosa Heads is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. Also, Canberra is famous for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Noosa Heads different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Canberra is a great city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Noosa Heads and Canberra offer a number of excellent 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 Canberra is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Canberra. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Noosa Heads. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Noosa Heads. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Noosa Heads or Canberra?

If you're looking to go shopping, Noosa Heads and Canberra both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Noosa Heads. 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.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Families?

Both Noosa Heads and Canberra are excellent 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).

Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Couples?

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Noosa Heads makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Canberra is a good coastal town for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

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

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Canberra. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

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

Noosa Heads and Canberra both offer notable 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.

Canberra has a few public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Noosa Heads or Canberra a more walkable city?

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

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable coastal town. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Noosa Heads?

How long in Noosa Heads or Canberra?

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

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

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

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

One day in Noosa Heads or Canberra?

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Canberra. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Noosa Heads or Canberra?

Noosa Heads is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Noosa Heads, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse destination of Canberra. This city 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 Canberra?

Noosa Heads is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The cultural city of Canberra offers shopping and museums. 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 Canberra?

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Canberra. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Noosa Heads and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Noosa Heads much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Noosa Heads would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Noosa Heads 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Noosa Heads.

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 Canberra Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Noosa Heads or Canberra?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Noosa Heads and Canberra, 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 Noosa Heads or Canberra?

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 Noosa Heads or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Noosa Heads and Canberra. Many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Noosa Heads is around the same temperature as Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Noosa Heads averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Noosa Heads gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Noosa Heads usually receives more rain than Canberra. Noosa Heads gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Canberra in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Noosa Heads as well as Canberra. Many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Noosa Heads is cooler than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Noosa Heads in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Canberra. Noosa Heads usually gets less rain in April than Canberra. Noosa Heads gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Noosa Heads are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Canberra because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Noosa Heads is generally much colder than Canberra. Daily temperatures in Noosa Heads average around 7°C (44°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In July, Noosa Heads usually receives more rain than Canberra. Noosa Heads gets 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Canberra in the Spring?

Both Canberra and Noosa Heads during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

Noosa Heads is cooler than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Noosa Heads averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Noosa Heads usually gets less rain in October than Canberra. Noosa Heads gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Noosa Heads