Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Canberra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Surfers Paradise and Canberra are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Canberra is known for its big city activities. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Canberra and Surfers Paradise. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Canberra and Surfers Paradise.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Surfers Paradise can be an interesting and educational experience. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Canberra. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Surfers Paradise and Canberra.
Surfers Paradise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Canberra makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
Surfers Paradise is a must-see party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.
Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.
For the ultimate resort vacation, Surfers Paradise is a great choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.
Canberra is not a resort destination.
Surfers Paradise is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.
Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Surfers Paradise. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.
Canberra is not a beach destination.
Surfers Paradise and Canberra are both places where visitors can find good hiking trails.
Surfers Paradise has hiking trails worth exploring. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.
Plenty of visitors go hiking around Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Surfers Paradise draws large crowds to its stores. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.
Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.
Canberra is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.
Surfers Paradise is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.
Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.
Surfers Paradise is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Surfers Paradise is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.
Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.
Canberra is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.
Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.
Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.
Visitors will find good public transit in both Surfers Paradise and Canberra.
Surfers Paradise has some public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.
You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.
Surfers Paradise and Canberra are good when it comes to walkability.
Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.
Canberra is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.
For even more information, also check out Is Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Surfers Paradise and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Canberra. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Surfers Paradise, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.
Families should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Canberra. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Surfers Paradise, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Surfers Paradise that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Surfers Paradise.
The city of Surfers Paradise offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Canberra. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Surfers Paradise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural city of Canberra. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Surfers Paradise is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surfers Paradise, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Canberra is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
Canberra is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $104, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $133. 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 Surfers Paradise and Canberra in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Canberra? 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.
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Canberra and Surfers Paradise 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.
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Surfers Paradise.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surfers Paradise Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.
Canberra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise and Canberra, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Both Canberra and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In January, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Canberra. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Canberra and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in April than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Canberra. The winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In the winter, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Canberra. The beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city.
In October, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Canberra. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in October than Canberra. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surfers Paradise | Canberra | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |