A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Rockhampton vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays?

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

Should I visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Rockhampton or Whitsundays?

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.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Rockhampton?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rockhampton is $170, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Rockhampton and Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rockhampton $101
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rockhampton $202
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Rockhampton and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Rockhampton or Whitsundays? 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 Rockhampton


Hotels in Whitsundays


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: Rockhampton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rockhampton $19
    Whitsundays $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Rockhampton or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rockhampton $50
    Whitsundays $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays

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

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rockhampton $40
    Whitsundays $25

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,927
  • Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
  • From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
  • Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rockhampton $13
    Whitsundays $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rockhampton and Whitsundays, we can see that Rockhampton is more expensive. And not only is Whitsundays much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whitsundays would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays.

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



When is the best time to visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays?

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 Rockhampton or Whitsundays in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rockhampton and Whitsundays. The summer months attract visitors to Rockhampton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rockhampton is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rockhampton in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rockhampton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rockhampton usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Rockhampton gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Rockhampton 27°C (81°F) 
    Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rockhampton as well as Whitsundays. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.

In April, Rockhampton is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Rockhampton average around 23°C (74°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Rockhampton usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Rockhampton gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Rockhampton 23°C (74°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays in the Winter?

Both Whitsundays and Rockhampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rockhampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rockhampton is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Rockhampton averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In July, Rockhampton usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Rockhampton gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Rockhampton 16°C (61°F) 
    Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Rockhampton or Whitsundays in the Spring?

Both Whitsundays and Rockhampton during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rockhampton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Rockhampton is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rockhampton in October average around 23°C (74°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Rockhampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Whitsundays. Rockhampton gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Rockhampton 23°C (74°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Rockhampton

Rockhampton Whitsundays
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 20°C (69°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 23°C (74°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 26°C (78°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)