A Travel Price Comparison for Australia South Australia vs. Queensland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit South Australia or Queensland?

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

Should I visit South Australia or Queensland? 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 Queensland?

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.

Queensland

If you're an adventurer and thrill seeker, it's likely that Queensland, Australia is on your list of dream destinations. This state comprises of most of the eastern coast, but its main draws are the famous Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park. Travelers flock to the stunning Australian Gold Coast of Brisbane.

Queensland experiences a climate ranging from subtropical to tropical, but keep in mind that Australia experiences the opposite seasons than North America. When it's summer here, the Aussies are experiencing winter.

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


Which place is cheaper, Queensland or South Australia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $140, while the average daily cost in Queensland is $124. 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 Queensland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    South Australia $63
    Queensland $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    South Australia $126
    Queensland $132
Compare Hotels in South Australia and Queensland

Looking for a hotel in South Australia or Queensland? 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 South Australia


Hotels in Queensland


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 $18
    Queensland $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Australia

Also for South Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Adelaide Private Airport and City Transfer: $110
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Business Car: $63
  • Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $93
  • One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $234
  • Private Transfer from Adelaide Airport to Adelaide Port: $36
  • Private Transfer from Adelaide city to Adelaide Cruise Port: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queensland

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queensland:

  • Port Douglas and Cairns (RETURN TRIP) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $272
  • Cairns Airport(CNS) to Port Douglas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $270
  • Mercedes-Benz S Class Transfers Cairns Airport - Port Douglas : $258
  • Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Port Douglas - Cairns: $258
  • Mission Beach to Cairns (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $254
  • Cairns to Mission Beach (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $254
  • Cairns Airport(CNS) to Cairns City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $249
  • Premium Airport/ Cruise Terminal Transfers: $238
  • Premium Van, Private Transfer, Port Douglas - Cairns Airport.: $234
  • Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $232
  • Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
  • IMAX Private Transfer 7 Guests Cairns Airport to Hotels in Port Douglas : $225

Is it cheaper to fly into South Australia or Queensland?

Prices for flights to both Queensland 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 day
    South Australia $30
    Queensland $32

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: $124
  • Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $195

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queensland

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queensland.

  • Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show: $60
  • Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $80
  • Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Drover's Sunset Cruise includes Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show: $100
  • Silver-Tails Rail Sunset With Smithy's Dinner and Show: $113
  • Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $121
  • Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $147

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    South Australia $13
    Queensland $36

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
  • 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
  • Cultural Caper Adelaide Walking Tour: $28
  • Stately Swagger Adelaide Walking Tour: $28
  • Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Paranormal Investigation: $29
  • Private Home Style Indian Dining Experience: $30
  • Live Acoustic Music Experience in Coffin Bay Wilderness: $31
  • Koala Walking Tour in Kangaroo Island: $32
  • Hahndorf Walking Tour, South Australia: $33

Tours and Activities in Queensland

Here are a few actual costs in Queensland for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Birdworld Kuranda Entry Ticket: $14
  • Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $72
  • Whale Watching Australia Experience (3hours): $80
  • 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $132
  • 1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise: $24
  • 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $187
  • 1770 Coastline Tour by LARC Amphibious Vehicle Including Picnic Lunch: $57
  • 1hr Animal Tour: $44
  • 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $51
  • 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
  • 2 Hours Sunset Experience on Noosa River: $21
  • 2-Hour Guided Whale Watching Tour at Noosa: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    South Australia $22
    Queensland $12

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: $30
  • Gourmet Grazing Platter & Wine Tasting Experience for 2: $48
  • McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $53
  • Kangaroo Island Hop On Hop Off Wine Tour: $60
  •  Private Paired Wine Tasting and Lunch Trail in Barossa: $64
  • Kangaroo Island Lighthouse Tour with Wine Tasting: $66
  • Luke's Wine Tour: $74
  • Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $80
  • Picnic and Wine Tasting Experience in the Barossa Valley: $104
  • Adelaide Hills: Self-guided E-Bike wine tour with Lunch: $114
  • McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike: $117
  • Adelaide Scenic E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $120

Sample the Local Flavors in Queensland

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Queensland:

  • Rum Distillery Tour: $13
  • XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
  • City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $94
  • Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $99
  • Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $100
  • Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $103
  • Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $121
  • Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $125
  • Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $127
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $133
  • Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $144


When comparing the travel costs between South Australia and Queensland, 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 Queensland Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, South Australia or Queensland?

Queensland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of South Australia. When comparing the sizes of South Australia and Queensland, 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.

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