A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Surfers Paradise vs. Melbourne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Melbourne, 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.

Where Should I go: Surfers Paradise or Melbourne?

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.

Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Surfers Paradise?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $106, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $181. 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 Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surfers Paradise $67
    Melbourne $122
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surfers Paradise $134
    Melbourne $244
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Melbourne? 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 Surfers Paradise


Hotels in Melbourne


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Melbourne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30
  • Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177
  • Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33

Typical Local Transportation prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

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

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Melbourne Downtown City to Airport: $53
  • Transfer in private Minivan from Melbourne City Downtown to Airport: $65
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Moorabbin Airport (MBW): $622
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $80
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Essendon Fields Airport (MEB): $106
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Avalon International Airport (AVV): $212
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $246
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $333
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $319
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $45
  • Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $78
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Melbourne to Tullamarine Airport (MEL): $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Melbourne?

Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Surfers Paradise $27
    Melbourne $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner: $40
  • Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast: $70
  • Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner: $87

Typical Food prices in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.64
  • Pizza
    $4.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Eynesbury Homestead: Dinner and 1.5-Hour Ghost Tour: $54
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $63
  • Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class: $72
  • Spice Factory 3-Hour Indian Cooking Class: $90
  • Private Australian Cooking Class in Melbourne using Native Produce: $125
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Melbourne Private Food Tour: $131
  • Vegan Cooking Class: $146
  • Private Modern Australian Cooking Class with a Professional Chef in Melbourne: $166
  • Private Market Tour and Australian Cooking Class with a Local Chef in her Home: $203
  • [PRIVATE TOUR] Best Of Melbourne Food Tours: $462

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $24
    Melbourne $28
Typical Entertainment prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
  • Aquaduck Secrets, Scandals and Sunset Tour: $47
  • Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast: $160
  • Byron Bay and the Crystal Castle Day Tour from Gold Coast: $97
  • Full Day Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $126
  • Full-Day Moreton Island 4x4 Sightseeing Tour: $259
  • Glow Worms Private Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk: $466
  • Glow Worms Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk - Small Group: $78
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $20
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $21
  • Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours: $131
  • Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • '56 Chevrolet 3-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $379
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Dandenong Ranges Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Yarra Valley Indulgence Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • 12 Apostles Eco-Friendly Great Ocean Road Iconic Adventure from Melbourne: $119
  • 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Express Private Tour: $375
  • 2 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Great Ocean Road: $1,276
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour and Platypus paddle: $351
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne: $210
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour Roundtrip from Melbourne: $257
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne: $217
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade: $348

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Melbourne $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise

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

  • Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain: $119
  • Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour: $154

Typical Alcohol prices in Melbourne

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $5.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Melbourne Bar Hunt: Melbourne Breakout Bar Crawl: $12
  • Melbourne CBD Pub Crawl: $16
  • Carlton Brewhouse Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour from Melbourne: $78
  • Hops and Barrels- Hop on Hop off Wine Tour Mornington Peninsula.: $83
  • Small-Group Guided Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Wine Tasting: $104
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Local Harvest Tastings from Melbourne: $115
  • Yarra Valley Local Produce and Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour Departing from Melbourne: $118
  • Mornington Peninsula Winery Tour Including Wine Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $118
  • Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Food and Wine Tour: $134

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Surfers Paradise.


When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne?

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.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In January, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Melbourne. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Melbourne stays around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during summer. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F) 
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 22°C (71°F) in April, and Melbourne stays around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in April than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Melbourne.

In the winter, Surfers Paradise is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July are around 15°C (59°F), and Melbourne is about 9°C (49°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Melbourne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Melbourne.

In October, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Melbourne. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Melbourne stays around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the spring, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in October than Melbourne. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)


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Surfers Paradise vs. Melbourne Travel Comparison

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