Which place is cheaper, Queensland 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.
Jump to 
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 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.
-
South Australia Prices
Australia PricesQueensland Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Australia $160Queensland $146
The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $160, while the average daily cost in Queensland is $146. 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 personSouth Australia $63Queensland $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Australia $126Queensland $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.
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 $18Queensland $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queensland
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queensland:
- Mission Beach to Cairns ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $287
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport to Noosa for 1 to 3 people: $276
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $267
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 13 pax: $262
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $258
- Daintree Eco Lodge to Cairns ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $255
- Cairns to Daintree Eco Lodge ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $255
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $238
- Premium Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $234
- Premium Van, Private Transfer, Port Douglas - Cairns Airport.: $234
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $189
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 daySouth Australia $50Queensland $53
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: $66
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Brisbane/Gold Coast: Sunset, Dinner, Stars/Premium Telescope: $79
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Drover's Sunset Cruise includes Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show: $107
- Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $121
- VIP Silver-Tails Rail Sunset With Smithy's Dinner and Show: $132
- Dinner on the Edge with Vertigo Brisbane: $168
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Australia $14Queensland $37
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
- Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour: $19
- Guided Koala Walk and Bushfire ecology tour: $27
- Yalumba Cooperage Tour: $34
- Shared Wine Taste Experience The Dead Arm Distinction: $37
- 2-Hour Kayaking Experience in Barossa Valley: $37
- Rock Climb and Ropes Shared Experience: $38
- Adelaide Twilight Cruise from Glenelg: $38
- Guided Gin Tasting Experience at Never Never Distilling Co.: $39
- Oyster Adventure in Coffin Bay (Coffin Bay Pick Up): $40
- EcoVine Explorer Vineyard E-Cart Tours: $43
- Private Château Tour and Tasting in Australia: $43
- Ultimate Adelaide Walking Tour: $46
Tours and Activities in Queensland
Here are a few actual costs in Queensland for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- AAA NOOSA Whale watching experience in Noosa Whalesongsnoosa: $64
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $47
- Noosa Queen Sunset Cruise River: $22
- Scooter Wildlife & Sunset Tour : $66
- 1 Hour Amore Tour: $235
- 1 Hour Jetski Tour Cairns: $134
- 1 Hour Private Romantic Gondola Cruises in Banksia Beach: $104
- 1 Hour Tour Mooloolaba Sunset Cruise: $24
- 1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise: $24
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $201
- 1770 Coastline Tour by LARC Amphibious Vehicle Including Picnic Lunch: $58
- 2 1/4 hr Low Isles Reef Sprinter Snorkeling Tour-No Island Access: $128
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Australia $22Queensland $12
Sample the Local Flavors in South Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in South Australia:
- Exquisite Unique Wine Tasting Experience: $20
- Gourmet Grazing Platter & Wine Tasting Experience for 2: $48
- McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $60
- Luke's McLaren Vale Wine Tour: $83
- Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $91
- Barossa Wine Tasting shared tours: $110
- Discover Barossa: 4 Wine Tastings, Gourmet Lunch, and Hidden Gems: $111
- Adelaide Hills: Self-guided E-Bike wine tour with Lunch: $115
- Barossa Premium Wine Tasting Tour & lunch Departs 7 days a week : $120
- Barossa Valley Full-Day Wine Tasting & Maggie Beers Farm Join Us: $120
- Adelaide Scenic E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $126
- McLaren Vale Small Group Wine Tour: $130
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
- Sunshine Coast Bar Crawl Sippin on Sunshine: $15
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- Hop on Hop off Brewery Adventure : $66
- Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
- Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $101
- Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $107
- Hop on Hop off Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $110
- Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $134
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $140
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.
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.