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

Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Newcastle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

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.

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

Which place is cheaper, Newcastle 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 Newcastle is $92. 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 Newcastle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surfers Paradise $67
    Newcastle $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surfers Paradise $134
    Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Newcastle

Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle


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: Newcastle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Newcastle $8.50

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
  • Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
  • Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $128
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast Airport (BFS): $148
  • Newcastle Airport (NCL) Departure Private Transfer from Hotels: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Newcastle?

Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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
    Newcastle $36

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

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

  • Looking for a fun experience, hit the sweet spot with beer and pizza at Slice!: $73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $24
    Newcastle $16
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:

  • Green Cabs Surfers Paradise Tours: $16
  • Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18
  • 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 Sightseeing Cruise: $23
  • Infinity Attraction in Queensland Admission Ticket: $23
  • Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $25
  • Gold Coast: Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $29
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $32
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $36
  • Private Stand Up Paddle Tour: $46

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Small Group Tour: $136
  • Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $78
  • Hunter Coastal Adventure Tour by Boat from Newcastle: $78
  • Maitland's True Crime Tour: $25
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $27
  • Harbor and Coast 2.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $71
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Newcastle $10

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

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

  • From Hunter Valley Brewery Tour with Lunch: $136


When comparing the travel costs between Surfers Paradise and Newcastle, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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.


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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Newcastle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Newcastle.

Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 25°C (77°F) in January, and Newcastle stays around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the summer, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in January than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F) 
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Newcastle in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surfers Paradise in April are around 22°C (71°F), and Newcastle is about 19°C (67°F).

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 Newcastle during autumn. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In April, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F) 
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Newcastle in the Winter?

Both Newcastle and Surfers Paradise during the winter are popular places to visit.

In July, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Newcastle. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 15°C (59°F), and Newcastle stays around 13°C (55°F).

In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the winter, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in July than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F) 
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Newcastle.

Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Newcastle in the spring. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 21°C (69°F) in October, and Newcastle stays around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during spring. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Newcastle. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F) 
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Newcastle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in) 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)


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Surfers Paradise vs. Newcastle Travel Comparison

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