Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays, 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $106Whitsundays $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $106, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $135. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $68Whitsundays $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $136Whitsundays $142
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $11Whitsundays $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $299
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $234
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $182
- Private Transfer Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast 4-6 Passengers: $176
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $109
- One Way Luxury Transfer to Gold Coast Theme Parks : $96
- Surfers Paradise to Gold Coast Airport Luxury Transfer: $89
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $51
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one daySurfers Paradise $27Whitsundays $30
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:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $24Whitsundays $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$80
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $81
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $264
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast : $98
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $60
- Bush Tucker and Crab Adventure Cruise: $51
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $54
- Fisherman's Friend Morning Tea Cruise: $33
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $67
- Gold Coast - Hopo 2 Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $26
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $31
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $31
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $5,044
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $11Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surfers Paradise in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySurfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Whitsundays. Most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In April, Surfers Paradise is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 22°C (71°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the autumn, Surfers Paradise often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSurfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays during winter. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySurfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Surfers Paradise during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In the spring, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surfers Paradise in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the spring, Surfers Paradise often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSurfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Surfers Paradise
| Surfers Paradise | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.