A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shiretoko National Park vs. Cairns for Hiking, Families, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Shiretoko National Park or Cairns, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Cairns

Cairns is a tropical, idyllic, and outdoorsy city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Shiretoko National Park and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cairns. Although Shiretoko National Park and Cairns are popular destinations, Cairns has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cairns is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Shiretoko National Park attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Shiretoko National Park and is popular for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also well known for the Great Barrier Reef. Shiretoko National Park is famous for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline.

How is Shiretoko National Park different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Cairns is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its museums and history.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.

Is the Food Better in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cairns is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

Dining out in Cairns is an experience not to be missed. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Cairns just to party. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a resort destination.

Cairns is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Shiretoko National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Cairns specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Shiretoko National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Cairns are among the best in the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Shiretoko National Park and Cairns are both places where visitors can find fantastic hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Shiretoko National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Is the Shopping Better in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Cairns is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cairns is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Shiretoko National Park is a family-friendly remote,natural,scenic,pristine. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Couples?

Shiretoko National Park and Cairns are both very good to visit as a couple.

Shiretoko National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.

Cairns makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cairns is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Shiretoko National Park is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cairns is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

Cairns has a few public transit options. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Cairns a more walkable city?

Shiretoko National Park is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Shiretoko National Park is a somewhat walkable remote,natural,scenic,pristine. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Shiretoko National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Shiretoko National Park?

How long in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

In either Shiretoko National Park or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Shiretoko National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Shiretoko National Park, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cairns than Shiretoko National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cairns that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns than Shiretoko National Park 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 Cairns.

One day in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Shiretoko National Park. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the adventure-filled city of Cairns. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Shiretoko National Park is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cairns is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Five days in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shiretoko National Park. Don't miss the hiking, 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.

Cairns is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

A week in Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. This remote,natural,scenic,pristine 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shiretoko National Park and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shiretoko National Park is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns than you might in Shiretoko National Park.

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

When is the best time to visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Shiretoko National Park has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Shiretoko National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Shiretoko National Park averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shiretoko National Park usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Shiretoko National Park gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shiretoko National Park and Cairns. Most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shiretoko National Park in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Shiretoko National Park usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Shiretoko National Park gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Shiretoko National Park as well as Cairns. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. In January, Shiretoko National Park is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Shiretoko National Park average around -6°C (20°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Shiretoko National Park usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Shiretoko National Park gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Shiretoko National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Shiretoko National Park averages around 5°C (40°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

In April, Shiretoko National Park usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Shiretoko National Park gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Cairns is April to October. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Shiretoko National Park