Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Noosa Heads?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Noosa Heads vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Noosa Heads or Katoomba?
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 Katoomba 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.
Where Should I go: Noosa Heads or Katoomba?
Noosa Heads
A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.
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 dayNoosa Heads $109Katoomba $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Noosa Heads is $109, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $133. 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 Noosa Heads and Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNoosa Heads $57Katoomba $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNoosa Heads $114Katoomba $154
Compare Hotels in Noosa Heads and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Noosa Heads 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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices and Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Noosa Heads $17Katoomba $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads
Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sunshine Coast Airport Departure Transfer from Hotels: $18
- Sunshine Coast Eumundi Markets Return Minibus Transfer: $29
- Brisbane Airport Departure shuttle Transfer from Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $50
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (2pax): $95
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (4pax): $98
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 3 pax: $101
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa up to 3 pax: $101
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa up to 5 pax: $114
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 5 pax: $114
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (6pax): $114
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa 7 seater + Luggage Trailer: $127
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport 7 seater: $127
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katoomba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katoomba:
- Blue Mountains Limousine Airport to Blue Mountains transfer: $343
Is it cheaper to fly into Noosa Heads or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba and Noosa Heads 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 dayNoosa Heads $33Katoomba $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Cooking Workshop in Queensland: $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Noosa Heads $39Katoomba $53
Typical Entertainment prices in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Surf Lesson$42
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Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)$84
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Sunset Cruise (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.
- Paintball extreme fun, excitement and all out adrenaline pumping experience: $19
- The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise: $23
- 1 Hour Tour Mooloolaba Sunset Cruise: $23
- Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket: $27
- Sunset Cruise Mooloolaba: $29
- The Ginger Factory Play, Taste & Discover Bundle Experience: $33
- 1 Hour Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $33
- Seafood Lunch Cruise: $42
- River to River, Land and Sea E-bike Tour in Brisbane: $45
- Sunset Tour with Live Music: $49
- Buchtucker Cruise: $49
- Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $84
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hours: $83
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $245
- Blue Mountains & Sydney Photography Tour: $261
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $106
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $37
- Blue Mountains Guided Tour : $189
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $32
- Blue Mountains Private Tour From Sydney, & Featherdale Aussie Animal Park Option: $232
- Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillac Tour with Local Guide: $454
- Blue Mountains: Private Scenic Tour with Optional Stops: $229
- Full Day Guided Tour around the Blue Mountains: $174
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNoosa Heads $10Katoomba -
Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads
Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $91
- Noosa Brewery & Distillery Tour - the best of Noosa: $147
- Sunshine Coast Scenic Food & Wine Tour Inc. Lunch, Cheese, Wine & Chocolate: $158
- Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $163
- Maleny & Montville Tour with Artisan Village, Lunch, Wine Tasting: $182
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour- visit 2 distilleries, a winery and a brewery : $193
- Noosa Hinterland Tour with Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Everglades Lake: $195
- Sunshine Coast Private Gourmet Food and Wine Tour: $235
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Private Tour with Gin, Beer, Mead & Wine Tastings: $326
- Sunshine Coast Distillery Experience Inc. Lunch | Private Tour: $352
- Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour Inc Lunch & Tastings | Private Tour: $352
- Sunshine Coast Wine Tour Inc. Lunch & Tastings | Private Tour : $385
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Noosa Heads and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 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 Noosa Heads.
Which is Bigger, Noosa Heads or Katoomba?
Katoomba is bigger, and its population is about 86% larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the population of Noosa Heads vs. Katoomba, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Noosa Heads or Katoomba?
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 Noosa Heads or Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba and Noosa Heads during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Noosa Heads is generally cooler than Katoomba. Daily temperatures in Noosa Heads average around 20°C (67°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Katoomba gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. Noosa Heads usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Katoomba. Noosa Heads gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryNoosa Heads 20°C (67°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Noosa Heads or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Noosa Heads and Katoomba.
Noosa Heads is cooler than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Noosa Heads averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In April, Noosa Heads usually receives less rain than Katoomba. Noosa Heads gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilNoosa Heads 14°C (58°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Noosa Heads or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Noosa Heads as well as Katoomba.
In the winter, Noosa Heads is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Noosa Heads in July average around 7°C (44°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Noosa Heads usually gets more rain in July than Katoomba. Noosa Heads gets 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyNoosa Heads 7°C (44°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Noosa Heads or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba and Noosa Heads are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Noosa Heads is generally cooler than Katoomba. Daily temperatures in Noosa Heads average around 14°C (57°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In October, Noosa Heads usually receives more rain than Katoomba. Noosa Heads gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberNoosa Heads 14°C (57°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Noosa Heads
| Noosa Heads | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (67°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (67°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (44°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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