Which place is cheaper, Northern Territory or South Australia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, and The Best Walking Tours in Australia.
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South Australia Prices
Australia PricesNorthern Territory Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Australia $14,216Northern Territory $4,694
The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $14,216, while the average daily cost in Northern Territory is $4,694. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Australia $5,832Northern Territory $2,660
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Australia $
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4.00
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.South Australia $2,012Northern Territory $734
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: $58
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Port to Adelaide Airport (ADL): $58
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Cruise Port to Adelaide city: $58
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Adelaide Airport: $57
- One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $287
- Airport Transfer: Adelaide to Airport ADL by Luxury Van: $111
- Adelaide Premium Chauffeur Airport Transfers Experience: $89
- Adelaide Chauffeur Airport Transfer: $86
- Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Van: $111
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Airport ADL to Adelaide City in Luxury Car: $127
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $127
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: $196
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $98
- Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise with Darwin Transfer Bus: $87
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $85
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $84
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $84
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $84
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
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Food Meals for one daySouth Australia $5,189Northern Territory $966
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:
- Adelaide Central Market Food Tour: $49
- The F Factor: Adelaide food tour: $71
- Tastes of Chinatown Adelaide food tour: $85
- Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills: $132
- Cooking classes Goolwa: $139
- Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa: $249
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:
- From Ayers Rock Resort: Uluru Sunset Barbecue Dinner: $107
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $111
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $135
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $135
- Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge 3.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Boat Tour: $192
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Australia $4,547Northern Territory $861
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
- 1 Day Aboriginal Cultural Tour of Port Lincoln: $225
- 2-Hour Dolphin and Maritime Cruise in Port Adelaide: $63
- 90 Minute Port Adelaide Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise: $63
- Abseiling Adventure in Adelaide: $106
- Adelaide Central Market Delicious Lunch Tour: $132
- Adelaide City Highlights Tour: $65
- Adelaide City Highlights via Hahndorf Half-Day Tour: $114
- Adelaide City to Sea Bike Tour: $97
- Adelaide Cosy Bar Tour East End: $49
- Adelaide Cruise Ship Tours to Hahndorf & Hills Wildlife Wonders: $261
- Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour: $54
- Adelaide Gems in a Day: Hahndorf, Glenelg Beach, City Tour 6.5hrs: $75
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: $168
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $39
- 2-Hour Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Cruise: $99
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $43
- Arnhem Land Yingana Injalak Hill Full Day Tour from Jabiru: $246
- Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours: $104
- Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 2 hour Sunset Cruise: $71
- Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park Guided Tours: $32
- Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experience in Katherine: $135
- Darwin City Explorer Tour: $125
- Darwin City Sightseeing Tour: $82
- Darwin Harbour Gaze and Graze Sunset Cruise: $92
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Australia $2,522Northern Territory $431
Sample the Local Flavors in South Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in South Australia:
- Exquisite Unique Wine Tasting Experience: $21
- Gourmet Grazing Platter & Wine Tasting Experience for 2: $51
- McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $64
- McLaren Vale North Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Barossa Valley Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Luke's McLaren Vale Wine Tour: $89
- Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $96
- Adelaide: Epic Barossa Wine, Brewery, Chocolate, Lunch & Wildlife: $106
- Barossa & Maggie Beers Farm (4 wine Tastings & Lunch included): $109
- Picnic and Wine Tasting Experience in the Barossa Valley: $111
- Adelaide Hills: Self-guided E-Bike wine tour with Lunch: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Australia and Northern Territory, we can see that South Australia is more expensive. And not only is Northern Territory much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Northern Territory would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Northern Territory 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 South Australia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in South Australia than you might in Northern Territory.
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.