Should you visit South Australia or Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit South Australia or Victoria? 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
Just beneath New South Wales lies Australia's triangle shaped state, Victoria. This region, while not quite as popular as Sydney, is home to another of Australia's popular destinations, Melbourne. Consider this area because it has all the class and culture of Sydney, but without the large crowds. Additionally, this region is also famous for the Great Ocean Road as well as vineyards and wineries, gorgeous scenery, hiking trails, and quaint small towns.
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.
Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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.
The average daily cost (per person) in South Australia is $171, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $202. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in South Australia or Victoria? 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Australia
Also for South Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car:
$126
-
Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer:
$64
-
Adelaide Chauffeur Airport Transfer:
$86
-
Adelaide Premium Chauffeur Airport Transfers Experience:
$88
-
Airport Transfer: Adelaide to Airport ADL by Luxury Van:
$110
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Luxury Van:
$110
-
One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide:
$286
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Adelaide Airport:
$57
-
Private Transfer Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide City & Port:
$39
-
Private Transfer from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Adelaide Port:
$58
-
Private Transfer from Adelaide Cruise Port to Adelaide city:
$58
-
Private Transfer from Adelaide Port to Adelaide Airport (ADL):
$58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Victoria:
-
Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers:
$213
-
Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Car:
$200
-
Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers:
$190
-
Avalon Airport Transfers:
$178
-
Melbourne Hotel to Airport Private Departure Transfer 12 seater mini bus:
$178
-
Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$174
-
Departure Transfer from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Van:
$173
-
Melbourne Private Transfer to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van:
$173
-
Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne by Luxury Van:
$173
-
MEL Airport Private Van Transfer to CBD, Docklands or Southbank:
$156
-
Melbourne Airport Private Transfer to City by premium vehicle:
$128
-
Premium airport & cruise transfer service in Melbourne:
$127
Is it cheaper to fly into South Australia or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $54
Victoria $53
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
-
Tastes of Chinatown Adelaide food tour:
$85
-
Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills:
$132
-
Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner:
$213
-
Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa:
$248
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Victoria.
-
Melbourne Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide:
$87
-
Melbourne Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings in Hidden Laneways:
$115
-
Spanish Hands on Cooking Class:
$128
-
Yarra Valley Grazing Tour Wine, Cheese, Gin, Pizza from Melbourne:
$134
-
Truffle Hunt and Truffle Pizza Experience in Red Hill:
$141
-
Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River:
$149
-
Melbourne's Laneways Evening Food Tour & Hidden Speakeasy Bar:
$156
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
-
Adelaide Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game:
$5.79
-
Hosted Tour of the Australian Wine Story:
$18
-
Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour:
$21
-
Adelaide River Torrens Sightseeing Cruise:
$21
-
Adelaide's True Crime Tour:
$24
-
Guided Koala Walk and Bushfire ecology tour:
$28
-
Jurlique Farm Tour:
$28
-
Adelaide River Torrens Devonshire Tea Cruise:
$31
-
Welcome to Adelaide Walking Tour:
$31
-
Shared Wine Taste Experience The Dead Arm Distinction:
$39
-
Rock Climb and Ropes Shared Experience:
$40
-
McLaren Vale I Guided Gin Tasting Experience:
$42
Tours and Activities in Victoria
Here are a few actual costs in Victoria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1 Hour Sight seeing Melbourne River Cruise on historic vessel:
$25
-
1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne:
$156
-
12 Apostles,Great Ocean Road Tour - hotel PICKUP & free entries:
$98
-
4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City:
$71
-
90 minute wildlife and scenic cruise:
$53
-
Alices Journeys Walking Tours of Daylesford 2.30pmFRI 11.30amSAT:
$47
-
Architecture Tour of Melbourne:
$64
-
Around the Bay Sightseeing and Bay Cruise:
$134
-
Art Tour of Melbourne:
$92
-
ArtVo Immersive Gallery Experience:
$25
-
Australian Designer Walking Tour in Melbourne CBD:
$107
-
Australian Experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo - excl. entry:
$42
Alcohol
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:
$56
-
McLaren Vale North Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour:
$71
-
Barossa Valley Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour:
$71
-
Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf 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
-
Barossa Wine tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings, Brewery & Chocolate:
$106
-
Barossa & Maggie Beers Farm (4 wine Tastings & Lunch included):
$108
-
Barossa Valley Food & Wine Tour:
$108
-
Picnic and Wine Tasting Experience in the Barossa Valley:
$110
-
Discover Barossa: 4 Wine Tastings, Gourmet Lunch, and Hidden Gems:
$110
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Victoria:
-
Saturday Melbourne Bar Crawl:
$18
-
Whisky Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting & Cheese Platter:
$63
-
Relaxed Half Day Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Melbourne:
$78
-
Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting:
$92
-
Montalto Vineyard: Mornington Peninsula Discovery Wine Tasting and Lunch:
$96
-
Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate:
$124
-
Melbourne: Epic Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch - Gin/Beer Upgrade:
$127
-
Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup:
$135
-
Depart Peninsula: Mornington Peninsula Food and Wine Tour:
$139
-
Puffing Billy Train&Healesville Sanctuary&Yarra Valley Wine Tour:
$151
-
Mornington Peninsula Wine Tasting and Wellness Escape:
$153
-
Wine Tour Yarra Valley Five Star Experience:
$153
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Australia and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Australia or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of South Australia. When comparing the sizes of South Australia and Victoria, 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.
Related Articles for South Australia
Related Articles for Victoria