Which place is cheaper, New South Wales or South Australia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit South Australia or New South Wales?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit South Australia or New South Wales? 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: South Australia or New South Wales?
South Australia
Millions of travelers are attracted to Australia for a variety of reasons. Sure there are adventures waiting around ever Aussie corner, but sometimes you just want to sit back and relax. That's when it's time to visit South Australia.
Nestled between Western Australia and Queensland, this state is home to 1.6 million people. Even with that many people, however, it's still less than 10 percent of the entire country's population. With less tourists, infamous wine, delectable produce and an untouched environment, Southern Australia is the perfect spot to kickback in the outback.
New South Wales
In the south of Australia is a place full of every and any tourist activity you can dream of. With Sydney under its belt, New South Wales is the center of Australian culture and tourism.
Just south of Queensland and north of Victoria, the state of New South Wales is home to approximately 6.7 million people. It is easily the continent's most populous state. This region is the core of the British colonialism of 1788. Its capital, Sydney, is the oldest and largest city in the state. Today, it is home to shopping, art, entertainment, history, beaches, and plenty of adventures.
When planning a trip to the land down under, remember that their seasons are just opposite of ours. So if you want to go for Christmas, throw that bathing suit in your bag.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Australia $139New South Wales $163
The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $139, while the average daily cost in New South Wales is $163. 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 South Australia and New South Wales in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Australia $63New South Wales $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Australia $126New South Wales $160
Compare Hotels in South Australia and New South Wales
Looking for a hotel in South Australia or New South Wales? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.South Australia $18New South Wales $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Australia
Also for South Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Airport to Adelaide Port: $36
- Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Business Car: $62
- Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car: $62
- Private Arrival Transfer: Adelaide Airport to Hotel: $66
- Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Luxury Van: $92
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Car: $106
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $106
- One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $248
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New South Wales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in New South Wales:
- Limoroo, Luxe Private Transfers to The Blue Mountains Australia: $299
- Private Transfer from Sydney Hotels to Airport: $255
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-13 people: $216
- Sydney Airport Transfers: $173
- Sydney Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Sydney Central Business District): $164
- Sydney Airport Private Car Departure Transfer: $163
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Luxury Van : $146
- Private Transfer from Sydney CBD to Sydney Domestic or International Airport: $133
- Sydney Airport Transfer: $123
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $114
- Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $114
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into South Australia or New South Wales?
Prices for flights to both New South Wales and South Australia 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
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Food Meals for one daySouth Australia $30New South Wales $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Australia
For South Australia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills: $123
- Cooking classes Goolwa: $130
- Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $193
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New South Wales
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in New South Wales.
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Norfolk Island Progressive Dinner to Island Homes: $60
- Progressive Dinner to Island Homes: $63
- Ghost Tour & Dinner Norfolk Island: $64
- Commandants Dinner & Show: $66
- Who Killed the Surveyor Mystery Dinner: $66
- Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $70
- Batemans Bay Sunset Pizza Kayak Tour - Float and Feast: $72
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Australia $13New South Wales $29
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
- Small Group Kangaroo Island Tour - Dudley Peninsula: $6.72
- Hosted Wine Discovery Journey Tour: $17
- Just Bliss Wine and Chocolate Experience in Barossa: $17
- Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide: $17
- Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour: $19
- Guided Koala Walk and Bushfire ecology tour: $23
- Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Paranormal Investigation: $28
- Private Home Style Indian Dining Experience: $30
- Live Acoustic Music Experience in Coffin Bay Wilderness: $31
- Koala Walking Tour in Kangaroo Island: $32
- Shared Wine Taste Experience The Dead Arm Distinction: $34
- Yalumba Cooperage Tour: $34
Tours and Activities in New South Wales
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for New South Wales are as follows:
- 3- Hour Wine and Harvest the Hunter Horse Tour in Pokolbin: $91
- Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour: $229
- Sydney & Bondi Half Day Tour Including with Rocks Walking Tour : $85
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour: $100
- 2 Hours Sydney Harbour's True Crime Cruise Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Sydney Harbour National Park : $37
- 3 Hours Abba Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $66
- 3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock: $253
- 3-Hour Kayak and Snorkeling Experience in Batemans Bay: $86
- 3-Hour Private Bike Tour with a Local Sydney Guide: $227
- 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $65
- 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Australia $22New South Wales $14
Sample the Local Flavors in South Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in South Australia:
- Gourmet Grazing Platter & Wine Tasting Experience for 2: $48
- McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $52
- Kangaroo Island Hop On Hop Off Wine Tour: $60
- Private Paired Wine Tasting and Lunch Trail in Barossa: $63
- Kangaroo Island Lighthouse Tour with Wine Tasting: $66
- Luke's Wine Tour: $74
- Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $79
- Adelaide Hills: Self-guided E-Bike wine tour with Lunch: $113
- Adelaide Scenic E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $119
- Wine Tasting in McLaren Vale: $119
- McLaren Vale Small Group Wine Tour: $130
- Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $132
Sample the Local Flavors in New South Wales
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in New South Wales:
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass: $9.86
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $20
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour with a Licensed Guide: $26
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $26
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $33
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $49
- Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $72
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Australia and New South Wales, we can see that New South Wales is more expensive. And not only is South Australia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to South Australia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in South Australia 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 New South Wales would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New South Wales than you might in South Australia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is South Australia Expensive? and Is New South Wales Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Australia or New South Wales?
New South Wales has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of South Australia. When comparing the sizes of South Australia and New South Wales, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.