A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Noosa Heads vs. Melbourne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Noosa Heads or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

Which city is cheaper, Melbourne or Noosa Heads?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Noosa Heads is $112, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $182. 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 Noosa Heads and Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Noosa Heads $59
    Melbourne $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Noosa Heads $118
    Melbourne $246
Compare Hotels in Noosa Heads and Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Noosa Heads or Melbourne? 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.

Hotels in Noosa Heads


Hotels in Melbourne


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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Noosa Heads $17
    Melbourne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads

Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport- 8seater + Luggage Trailer: $143
  • Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport for 1 to 7 people: $122
  • Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport for 1 to 4 people: $97

Typical Local Transportation prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Moorabbin Airport (MBW): $622
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $333
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $319
  • Private 24 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $276
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $246
  • Private 13 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $236
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Avalon International Airport (AVV): $212
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $144
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: $137
  • Avalon Airport Transfers: $135
  • Departure Private Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $131
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $124

Is it cheaper to fly into Noosa Heads or Melbourne?

Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Noosa Heads $34
    Melbourne $31

Typical Food prices in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.66
  • Pizza
    $4.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Eynesbury Homestead: Dinner and 1.5-Hour Ghost Tour: $54
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $63
  • Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class: $72
  • Spice Factory 3-Hour Indian Cooking Class: $90
  • Private Australian Cooking Class in Melbourne using Native Produce: $125
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Melbourne Private Food Tour: $131
  • Vegan Cooking Class: $146
  • Private Modern Australian Cooking Class with a Professional Chef in Melbourne: $166
  • Private Market Tour and Australian Cooking Class with a Local Chef in her Home: $203
  • [PRIVATE TOUR] Best Of Melbourne Food Tours: $462

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Noosa Heads $41
    Melbourne $28
Typical Entertainment prices in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Surf Lesson
    $43
  • Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)
    $86
  • 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.

  • Full-Day Guided Hinterland Adventure Tour in Queensland: $83
  • Noosa River Cruise for 2 people on a Classic Mahogany Speed Boat - 90 min.: $349
  • Noosa River Cruise for 3 to 4 people on a Classic Mahogany Speed Boat - 90 min.: $364
  • Noosa Surf Lesson Austraila's Longest Wave 4x4 Day Adventure: $97
  • Stand Up Paddle 4WD Day Trip from Noosa Including Great Beach Drive Experience: $111

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • '56 Chevrolet 3-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $379
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Dandenong Ranges Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Yarra Valley Indulgence Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • 12 Apostles Eco-Friendly Great Ocean Road Iconic Adventure from Melbourne: $119
  • 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Express Private Tour: $375
  • 2 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Great Ocean Road: $1,276
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour and Platypus paddle: $351
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne: $210
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour Roundtrip from Melbourne: $257
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne: $217
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade: $348

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Noosa Heads $10
    Melbourne $17

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:

  • Noosa Brewery & Distillery Trail: $134

Typical Alcohol prices in Melbourne

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $5.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Melbourne Bar Hunt: Melbourne Breakout Bar Crawl: $12
  • Melbourne CBD Pub Crawl: $16
  • Carlton Brewhouse Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour from Melbourne: $78
  • Hops and Barrels- Hop on Hop off Wine Tour Mornington Peninsula.: $83
  • Small-Group Guided Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Wine Tasting: $104
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Local Harvest Tastings from Melbourne: $115
  • Yarra Valley Local Produce and Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour Departing from Melbourne: $118
  • Mornington Peninsula Winery Tour Including Wine Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $118
  • Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Food and Wine Tour: $134


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Noosa Heads and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Noosa Heads.


When is the best time to visit Noosa Heads or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Noosa Heads and Melbourne.

Noosa Heads is around the same temperature as Melbourne in the summer. The temperature in Noosa Heads is usually 20°C (67°F) in January, and Melbourne stays 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 Melbourne. Noosa Heads gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F) 
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Noosa Heads as well as Melbourne.

In the autumn, Noosa Heads is around the same temperature as Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Noosa Heads in April are around 14°C (58°F), and Melbourne is about 15°C (60°F).

Noosa Heads usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Melbourne. Noosa Heads gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Noosa Heads are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Noosa Heads is generally cooler than Melbourne. Temperatures in Noosa Heads average around 7°C (44°F), and Melbourne stays around 9°C (49°F).

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Noosa Heads during the spring are popular places to visit.

Noosa Heads is around the same temperature as Melbourne in the spring. The temperature in Noosa Heads is usually 14°C (57°F) in October, and Melbourne stays around 14°C (57°F).

Noosa Heads usually gets more rain in October than Melbourne. Noosa Heads gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (67°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 19°C (67°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 7°C (44°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 8°C (46°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 76 mm (3 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)


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Noosa Heads vs. Melbourne Travel Comparison

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