Which place is cheaper, Northern Territory or Western Australia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Western Australia or Northern Territory?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Western Australia and Northern Territory can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Western Australia or Northern Territory?
Western Australia
The vast expanses of Australia's largest state are meant for those looking to find a place in the world that's been virtually untouched by man. Western Australia is essentially the entire western third of the continent with most everyone living in the southwest near Perth.
As the capital of this state, Perth is the most isolated large city in the world. With 2 million people living in and around Perth, this city sits in the middle of nowhere. There are less than 500,000 people living outside of the city creating that untouched atmosphere for the traveler looking to truly get away.
Northern Territory
For the chance to see nature at its grandest, put Australia's Northern Territory at the top of your list. The federal territory covering much of central Australia is what most people picture when they imagine an adventure n Australia. It's the real outback.
While this state contains some of the most breathtaking flora and fauna, it's also home to a rather posh capital. The city of Darwin is tropical, small and quite diverse. There are at least 50 different nationalities making up Darwin's 110,000 population.
With the largest Aboriginal population, this region is perfect for immersing yourself in the 40,000-year-old culture. Visit one of their villages and witness their expert skills at basket weaving, spear fishing and story telling.
When making the decision to travel to Australia, keep in mind that their seasons are the opposite of North America. While the climate tends to stay pretty mild all yearlong, don't be surprised to see that they are experiencing their wintertime when we are ready to lay by the pool all day.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWestern Australia $0.00Northern Territory $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Western Australia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Northern Territory 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 Western Australia and Northern Territory in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWestern Australia -Northern Territory $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWestern Australia $0.00Northern Territory $98
Compare Hotels in Western Australia and Northern Territory
Looking for a hotel in Western Australia or Northern Territory? 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.Western Australia -Northern Territory $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Western Australia
Also for Western Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Perth City Hotels to Fremantle Cruise Port : $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $33
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Port to Learmonth Airport (LEA): $36
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Cruise Port to Exmouth city hotels: $41
- Private Transfer from Exmouth City Hotels to Exmouth Cruise Port: $41
- Perth city to Perth Airport (PER) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Northern Territory
Also for Northern Territory, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $92
- Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs: $130
- Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock (Uluru): $110
- Coach Transfer from Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Kings Canyon: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Western Australia or Northern Territory?
Prices for flights to both Northern Territory and Western Australia 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 dayWestern Australia -Northern Territory $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Western Australia
For Western Australia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Low and Slow BBQ Food Tour in Perth: $78
- Margaret River Small-Group Full-Day Wine & Food Tour: $105
- Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise: $111
- Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Experience a Small Group Tour: $114
- Broome-Sunset Dinner Cruise (a-la-carte Menu): $147
- The 10 Tastings of Perth With Locals: Private Food Tour : $159
- Broome-Staircase to the Moon & Sunset Dinner Cruise : $173
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Northern Territory
For Northern Territory, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $90
- From Ayers Rock Resort: Uluru Sunset Barbecue Dinner: $98
- Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $101
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $110
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base and Sunset Half-Day Trip with Opt Outback BBQ Dinner: $127
- Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge 3.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Boat Tour: $163
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset + Outback Barbecue Dinner & Star Talk : $186
- Uluru Experience with BBQ Dinner: $200
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $230
- Mount Conner 4WD Small Group Tour from Ayers Rock including Dinner: $241
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Western Australia -Northern Territory $32
Tours and Activities in Western Australia
For Western Australia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Busselton Jetty and Underwater Sculptures Snorkel Boat Tour: $65
- 1 Day Margaret River Sightseeing Tour from Perth: $129
- 1 Hour Broome Sunset Camel Tour : $75
- 1 Hour Deluxe Scenic Dolphin Cruise: $25
- 1/2 day Swan Valley Wine Cheese & Chocolate Tour Inc Afternoon Cruise to Perth: $85
- 2 Hour Broome Town Tour in Western Australia: $56
- 2 Hours Whale Watching Tour in Fremantle: $49
- 2 hour whale watching experience departing Hillarys Boat Harbour: $49
- 3.5 Hour Broome Sunset Cruise: $94
- 4-Hour Whale Watching Sunset Cruise in Broome: $98
- 7 Hours Off Peak Whale Shark and Ningaloo Reef Tour in Exmouth: $262
- Adventure Rottnest Tour with Ferry & Adventure Cruise: $100
Tours and Activities in Northern Territory
For Northern Territory, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $137
- 1 Hour Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $26
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $29
- 1 Hour Pathfinder Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $43
- 4 Hour Self Guided Gourmet Lunch and Aboriginal Art Tours: $137
- 4x4 Litchfield Park Adventures : $235
- A Self-Guided Driving Tour in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park: $15
- Aboriginal Homelands Experience from Ayers Rock including Sunset: $231
- Afternoon Kata Tjuta Small Group Tour: $109
- Alice Springs Camel Tour: $59
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $26
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWestern Australia -Northern Territory $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Western Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Western Australia:
- Little Creatures Brewery Tours : $16
- Premium Temper Temper Chocolate & Red Wine Tasting: $20
- Private Wine Tasting in Barrel Hall: $26
- Private Barrel Hall Wine Tasting in the Margaret River Region: $33
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Margaret River: $36
- Back Vintage Wine Tasting: $42
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Margaret River with Cheese Board: $59
- Mandoon Winery and Kayak Tour with wine tasting: $62
- Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour: $62
- Sunset Wine Tasting Experience at Passel Estate: $64
- Swan Valley Half Day Wine Tour from Perth: $65
- Broome Trio Afternoon Adventure: Brewery, Museum & Crocodile Park: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Western Australia and Northern Territory, we can see that Northern Territory is more expensive. And not only is Western Australia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Western Australia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Western Australia 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 Northern Territory would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Northern Territory than you might in Western Australia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Western Australia Expensive? and Is Northern Territory Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Western Australia or Northern Territory?
Western Australia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Northern Territory. When comparing the sizes of Western Australia and Northern Territory, 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.
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.