A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surfers Paradise vs. Picton for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Picton?

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

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

Surfers Paradise is a thrilling, active, and ritzy city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Surfers Paradise and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Surfers Paradise and Picton are popular destinations, Surfers Paradise has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surfers Paradise is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Picton attracts visitors for its hiking and small town charm. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Picton and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also well known for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Picton is famous for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Surfers Paradise different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton and Surfers Paradise. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Surfers Paradise is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Surfers Paradise. 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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Is the Food Better in Surfers Paradise or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Surfers Paradise and Picton.

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, Picton makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Surfers Paradise is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its resorts. However, Picton is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Surfers Paradise for its luxury resorts. 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.

Picton is not a resort destination.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Surfers Paradise offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Surfers Paradise is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is very family-friendly. 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.

Picton is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Couples?

Surfers Paradise and Picton are both great to visit as a couple.

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.

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for backpackers. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular city to visit 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.

Picton is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Surfers Paradise and Picton.

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 Picton, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Surfers Paradise or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting? and Is Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Surfers Paradise?

How long in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Surfers Paradise or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Surfers Paradise than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Surfers Paradise, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Families should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Picton. 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 Picton. 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 Picton 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.

One day in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Surfers Paradise. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find museums and food around the scenic destination of Picton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Picton. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Five days in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Picton is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Surfers Paradise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Picton is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Picton, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise than you might in Picton.

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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Picton?

Surfers Paradise has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise and Picton, 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.

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

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 Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Picton. Many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Picton in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surfers Paradise in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In April, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Picton. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Surfers Paradise during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Picton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Surfers Paradise is generally much warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 15°C (59°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Picton. The spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

Surfers Paradise is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Picton. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Surfers Paradise