A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Lake Tekapo for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Lake Tekapo, 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Sydney travel costs.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a remote, basic, and small town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, Lake Tekapo attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Lake Tekapo travel costs.

Sydney and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney. Although Sydney and Lake Tekapo are popular destinations, Sydney has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sydney is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Tekapo attracts visitors for its small town charm. Sydney is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Lake Tekapo is famous for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Sydney different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is terrific for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sydney is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Sydney is a must-see party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lake Tekapo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Lake Tekapo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Beaches?

Sydney is terrific for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Sydney and Lake Tekapo are both places where visitors can find great hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is terrific for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of great scenery and beauty in both Sydney and Lake Tekapo.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Lake Tekapo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. You really want to get out of town and explore the area's stunning natural beauty.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Sydney is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Sydney is terrific for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is terrific for backpackers. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Students?

Sydney is terrific for students. However, Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Sydney is a very popular place to visit for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is terrific for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sydney can take you anywhere. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Sydney or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Sydney is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

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

Families should spend more time in Sydney than Lake Tekapo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sydney, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Lake Tekapo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sydney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Lake Tekapo 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is a glamorous city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Lake Tekapo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Lake Tekapo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is a diverse city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Tekapo. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small destination of Lake Tekapo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sydney Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Lake Tekapo?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 13320 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Lake Tekapo, 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.