Which place is cheaper, Northern Territory or South Australia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit South Australia or Northern Territory?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit South Australia or Northern Territory? 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 Northern Territory?
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.
Northern Territory
For the chance to see nature at its grandest, put Australia's Northern Territory at the top of your list. The federal territory covering much of central Australia is what most people picture when they imagine an adventure n Australia. It's the real outback.
While this state contains some of the most breathtaking flora and fauna, it's also home to a rather posh capital. The city of Darwin is tropical, small and quite diverse. There are at least 50 different nationalities making up Darwin's 110,000 population.
With the largest Aboriginal population, this region is perfect for immersing yourself in the 40,000-year-old culture. Visit one of their villages and witness their expert skills at basket weaving, spear fishing and story telling.
When making the decision to travel to Australia, keep in mind that their seasons are the opposite of North America. While the climate tends to stay pretty mild all yearlong, don't be surprised to see that they are experiencing their wintertime when we are ready to lay by the pool all day.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Australia $139Northern Territory $123
The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $139, while the average daily cost in Northern Territory is $123. 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 Northern Territory in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Australia $63Northern Territory $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Australia $126Northern Territory $98
Compare Hotels in South Australia and Northern Territory
Looking for a hotel in South Australia or Northern Territory? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.South Australia $18Northern Territory $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Australia
Also for South Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Adelaide city to Adelaide Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Airport to Adelaide Port: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Adelaide Airport to Hotel: $65
- One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $244
- Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $91
- Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car: $62
- Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Northern Territory
Also for Northern Territory, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs: $134
- Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock (Uluru): $113
- Coach Transfer from Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Kings Canyon: $110
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $92
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into South Australia or Northern Territory?
Prices for flights to both Northern Territory 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
-
Food Meals for one daySouth Australia $30Northern Territory $34
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:
- The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $78
- Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills: $121
- Cooking classes Goolwa: $127
- Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $190
- Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa : $228
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Northern Territory
For Northern Territory, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $90
- From Ayers Rock Resort: Uluru Sunset Barbecue Dinner: $99
- Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $101
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $110
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base and Sunset Half-Day Trip with Opt Outback BBQ Dinner: $127
- Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge 3.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Boat Tour: $167
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset + Outback Barbecue Dinner & Star Talk : $186
- Uluru Experience with BBQ Dinner: $200
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $230
- Mount Conner 4WD Small Group Tour from Ayers Rock including Dinner: $241
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Australia $13Northern Territory $32
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
- 2-Hour Kayaking Experience in Barossa Valley: $36
- 90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise: $58
- Abseiling Adventure in Adelaide: $97
- Adelaide Central Market Discovery Tour: $58
- Adelaide City to Sea Bike Tour: $110
- Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour: $49
- Adelaide Hills Private Day Tour: $258
- Adelaide Hills Regional / Hahndorf German Village Tour: $278
- Adelaide Hills Tour with River Murray Lunch Cruise: $124
- Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf - Half Day Private Tour: $105
- Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Half Day Tours - Private and Luxury: $144
- Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Half-Day Tour from Adelaide: $62
Tours and Activities in Northern Territory
For Northern Territory, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $137
- 1 Hour Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $26
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $29
- 1 Hour Pathfinder Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $43
- 4 Hour Self Guided Gourmet Lunch and Aboriginal Art Tours: $137
- 4x4 Litchfield Park Adventures : $235
- A Self-Guided Driving Tour in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park: $15
- Aboriginal Homelands Experience from Ayers Rock including Sunset: $231
- Afternoon Kata Tjuta Small Group Tour: $109
- Alice Springs Camel Tour: $59
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $26
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Australia $22Northern Territory $11
Sample the Local Flavors in South Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in South Australia:
- Private Pinot Noir Wine Tasting & Platter in Adelaide Hills: $29
- 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: $78
- Barossa Wine Tasting shared tours: $108
- Adelaide Hills: Self-guided E-Bike wine tour with Lunch: $113
- Wine Tasting in McLaren Vale: $117
- Adelaide Scenic E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $119
When comparing the travel costs between South Australia and Northern Territory, we can see that South Australia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Northern Territory Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Australia or Northern Territory?
South Australia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Northern Territory. When comparing the sizes of South Australia and Northern Territory, 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.