Should you visit Rockhampton or Byron Bay?
Should I visit Rockhampton or Byron Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
Which city is cheaper, Byron Bay or Rockhampton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rockhampton is $147, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $120. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Rockhampton and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $174 in Rockhampton For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Byron Bay is $114. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
Rockhampton's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $17 per person, per day on transportation in Rockhampton.
The average price of local transportation around Byron Bay is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
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Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm:
$79
Is it cheaper to fly into Rockhampton or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Rockhampton 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
The average traveler spends about $43 per day in Rockhampton for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Byron Bay food costs typically run travelers around $41 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Rockhampton $43
Byron Bay $41
Typical Food prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
$63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
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Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$166
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Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$224
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Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner:
$224
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Rockhampton can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $34 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Byron Bay's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Rockhampton
For Rockhampton, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1 Day Rockhampton Highlights Private Tour with Pickup:
$178
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Tropical Beach Adventure - Private 4X4 Day Tour with Pickup:
$178
Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
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3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay:
$78
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3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour:
$67
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5 hour - Byron Bay Cycling Tour + Lunch:
$150
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5-Hour Byron Bay Introductory Scuba Diving Tour:
$170
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Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour:
$134
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Byron Bay 3-Hour Certified Dive Tour:
$119
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Byron Bay Combo: Hinterland Tour Including Minyon Falls and Kayaking with Dolphins:
$182
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Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls:
$124
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Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour:
$122
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Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour:
$74
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Byron Bay Waves To Waterfalls Adventure Tour:
$172
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Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise:
$87
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Rockhampton spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Byron Bay per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay:
$116
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Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour:
$141
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Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour:
$172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rockhampton and Byron Bay, we can see that Rockhampton is more expensive. And not only is Byron Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Byron Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Byron Bay 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 Rockhampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rockhampton than you might in Byron Bay.
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