Which place is cheaper, Wollongong or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Surfers Paradise vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Wollongong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Wollongong, 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 Wollongong?
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.
Wollongong
Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $106Wollongong $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $106, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $123. 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 Wollongong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $67Wollongong $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $134Wollongong $132
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Wollongong
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Wollongong? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Wollongong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $11Wollongong $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177
- Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
- One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Wollongong?
Prices for flights to both Wollongong 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 $27Wollongong $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 Wollongong
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:
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Lunch$7.93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $24Wollongong $23
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$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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $11Wollongong $18
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Surfers Paradise.
When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Wollongong?
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 Wollongong in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Wollongong.
Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the summer. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 25°C (77°F) in January, and Wollongong stays around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySurfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)Wollongong 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wollongong in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Wollongong.
In the autumn, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surfers Paradise in April are around 22°C (71°F), and Wollongong is about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the autumn, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in April than Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSurfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)Wollongong 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wollongong in the Winter?
Both Wollongong and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Wollongong. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 15°C (59°F), and Wollongong stays around 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Wollongong. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySurfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)Wollongong 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wollongong in the Spring?
Both Wollongong and Surfers Paradise during the spring are popular places to visit.
Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Wollongong in the spring. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 21°C (69°F) in October, and Wollongong stays around 17°C (63°F).
In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the spring, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 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 Wollongong. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSurfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)Wollongong 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Wollongong and Surfers Paradise
| Surfers Paradise | Wollongong | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
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