A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Perth vs. Darwin for Beaches, Attractions, Families, and Food

Should you visit Perth or Darwin?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Perth and Darwin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Perth

Perth is a relaxed, easy-going, and isolated city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Darwin

Darwin is a local, tropical, and multicultural town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Perth and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Perth or Darwin?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Darwin than Perth. While Perth is larger than Darwin, Darwin has more sights and attractions for tourists. Darwin is very popular for its hiking, while Perth attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Perth is famous for its beautiful city beaches, sunny weather, and isolated location. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. It is also well known for Mindil Beach.

How is Perth different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Perth or Darwin?

Perth is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Perth can be an interesting and educational experience. There are some interesting sights and museums around town like the Perth Mint, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Bell Tower, and Scitech. There's also the Perth Zoo and the Aviation Heritage Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Is the Food Better in Perth or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Perth and Darwin offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Perth. There's a good selection of restaurants with many great international options as well as fine dining and casual. Family-friendly restaurants are also very common.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Darwin. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Perth and Darwin.

If you're looking for night time activities Perth has a few options to choose from. The city has many nightclubs and music venues. There are also low key pubs and trendy wine bars. Northbridge is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, and this is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Perth is terrific for the beache. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Perth are among the best in the world. There is an 80 kilometer coastline that has beautiful turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Within the city there are 19 beaches that offer snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. Many beaches have any amenity that you might need but it's also very easy to escape the city crowds.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is great for hiking. However, Perth is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Darwin for the hiking trails. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Perth is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Perth or Darwin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Perth and Darwin both offer plenty of nice spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Perth. There are weekend street markets where you can pick up local crafts. There are also large shopping malls and trendy high end boutiques with international and local brands.

Darwin offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Perth or Darwin.

Perth is a very family-friendly destination. It's a family-friendly city with ropes courses, fruit picking, and many different playgrounds and kid-friendly activities. There's also the Perth Zoo and several kid-friendly museums like the Aviation Heritage Museum and Scitech. Kids will also enjoy spending a day or two at the beach.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Couples?

Both Perth and Darwin are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Perth is a nice destination for couples. The city has many great restaurants and bars. There's also wine tasting and river cruises on the Swan River.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Perth and Darwin are nice places to visit.

Perth is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most backpackers don't make it all the way to this isolated city, those that do will be rewarded with beautiful beaches, fun festivals, and an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience.

It's common for backpackers to visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Students?

Perth is a nice place to visit for students. However, Darwin is not popular with students.

Perth is a good city to visit for students. Students love the low cost of living and the year round climate that is sunny and pleasant.

Darwin is not popular with students.

Is Perth or Darwin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Perth and Darwin both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Perth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries that help you get around the city.

Darwin has a few public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Perth or Darwin a more walkable city?

Perth and Darwin are nice when it comes to walkability.

Perth is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas with streets that are fun to explore on foot.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable place. There are biking and walking paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Perth Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Perth?

How long in Perth or Darwin?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Perth than Darwin 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 Perth.

One day in Perth or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Perth. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Darwin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Perth or Darwin?

Perth 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Perth or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Perth. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Darwin is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Perth or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the easy-going destination of Perth. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the tropical destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Perth Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Perth or Darwin?

Perth has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Perth and Darwin, 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 Perth or Darwin?

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 Perth or Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin and Perth during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Perth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Perth is cooler than Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Perth in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Perth. In the summer, Perth often gets more sunshine than Darwin. Perth gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

Darwin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Perth usually gets less rain in January than Darwin. Perth gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Perth or Darwin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Perth and Darwin. Many travelers come to Perth for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In April, Perth is generally cooler than Darwin. Daily temperatures in Perth average around 19°C (67°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Perth, it's very sunny this time of the year. Perth usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Perth gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Perth usually receives less rain than Darwin. Perth gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Perth or Darwin in the Winter?

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

Perth is much colder than Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Perth averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. In the winter, Perth often gets less sunshine than Darwin. Perth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Perth receives a lot of rain in the winter. Perth usually gets more rain in July than Darwin. Perth gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Perth or Darwin in the Spring?

Both Darwin and Perth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Perth for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches.

In the spring, Perth is much colder than Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Perth in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Perth. Perth usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Darwin during spring. Perth gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Perth usually receives less rain than Darwin. Perth gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Perth