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

Should you visit Noosa Heads or Picton?

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 Picton 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 peaceful, scenic, and natural coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque, scenic, and quaint town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Noosa Heads and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Noosa Heads or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Noosa Heads. Although Noosa Heads and Picton are both popular with visitors, Noosa Heads has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Noosa Heads is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Picton is known for its museums. Noosa Heads is popular for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. It is also home to Noosa Main Beach. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Noosa Heads different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton 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 Picton?

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

Picton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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 Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Noosa Heads and Picton offer a number of very good 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 Picton is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Noosa Heads is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Noosa Heads. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton Better for Beaches?

Noosa Heads is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Noosa Heads offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton Better for Hiking?

Both Noosa Heads and Picton are destinations which offer very good hiking.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails. 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.

Picton is a popular spot for hiking. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Noosa Heads or Picton?

If you're looking to go shopping, Noosa Heads and Picton both offer plenty of good 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 Picton to go shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton Better for Families?

Both Noosa Heads and Picton are very good 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).

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton Better for Couples?

Both Noosa Heads and Picton are very good 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.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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

For backpackers, both Noosa Heads and Picton are very good 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.

Picton is a very popular coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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

Noosa Heads and Picton both offer good 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.

Picton has a few public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Noosa Heads or Picton a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads and Picton are very good when it comes to walkability.

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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Noosa Heads?

How long in Noosa Heads or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Noosa Heads or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Noosa Heads than Picton 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 Picton.

Couples should spend more time in Noosa Heads than Picton. 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 Picton 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 Picton?

Noosa Heads might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing town of Picton. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Picton?

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Picton. 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 Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Noosa Heads. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The scenic town of Picton offers museums and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Picton?

Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Picton. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

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

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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Noosa Heads or Picton?

Noosa Heads has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Noosa Heads and Picton, 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 Picton?

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 Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton and Noosa Heads during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Noosa Heads is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Noosa Heads in January average around 20°C (67°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. Noosa Heads usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Noosa Heads gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Noosa Heads and Picton. Many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In April, Noosa Heads is generally around the same temperature as Picton. Daily temperatures in Noosa Heads average around 14°C (58°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Noosa Heads usually receives less rain than Picton. Noosa Heads gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Picton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Noosa Heads as well as Picton. Many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Noosa Heads is cooler than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Noosa Heads averages around 7°C (44°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Picton. Noosa Heads usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Noosa Heads gets 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Noosa Heads or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Noosa Heads are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Noosa Heads is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Noosa Heads in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Noosa Heads usually receives less rain than Picton. Noosa Heads gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Noosa Heads