Which place is cheaper, Northern Territory or Western Australia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Western Australia Prices
Australia PricesNorthern Territory Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWestern Australia $13,612Northern Territory $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Western Australia is $13,612, while the average daily cost in Northern Territory is $157. 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 $7,399Northern Territory $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWestern Australia $
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14Northern Territory $106
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 $2,116Northern Territory $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Western Australia
Also for Western Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rottnest Island Transfer Flights - by Plane: $251
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $73
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $73
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Port to Learmonth Airport (LEA): $113
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Cruise Port to Exmouth city hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Exmouth City Hotels to Exmouth Cruise Port: $65
- Perth Airport (PER) to Perth city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
- Departure Transfer: Perth to Perth Airport PER by Business Car: $87
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Luxury Van: $111
- Airport Arrival Transfer in Perth: $119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Northern Territory
Also for Northern Territory, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs Coach Transfer: $190
- Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise with Darwin Transfer Bus: $88
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $85
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $85
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $85
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $99
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $198
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $190
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 $4,365Northern Territory $60
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:
- Perth Wildlife Tour Under the Stars with Dinner: $111
- Lake Kununurra Sunset Dinner Cruise: $122
- Margaret River Small-Group Full-Day Wine & Food Tour: $133
- Pinnacles Sunset Stargazing Dinner Experience Small Group Tour: $143
- Pinnacles Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $158
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:
- From Ayers Rock Resort: Uluru Sunset Barbecue Dinner: $107
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $111
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $136
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $136
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base and Sunset Half-Day Trip with Opt Outback BBQ Dinner: $143
- Uluru BBQ Dinner Under the Stars: $164
- Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge 3.5-Hour Sunset Dinner Boat Tour: $193
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset + Outback Barbecue Dinner & Star Talk: $236
- Uluru Experience with BBQ Dinner: $241
- Mt Conner 4WD Small Group Tour from Ayers Rock Resort inc Dinner: $286
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $293
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Western Australia $1,471Northern Territory $34
Tours and Activities in Western Australia
For Western Australia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Margaret River Sightseeing Tour from Perth: $148
- 1 Hour Broome Sunset Camel Tour: $90
- 1 Hour Broome Sunset Camel Tour on Cable Beach, Broome: $90
- 1 Hour Deluxe Scenic Dolphin Cruise: $34
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Tours, only 30 minutes from Perth: $100
- 2 Hour Whale-Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour: $56
- 2 hour whale watching experience departing Hillarys Boat Harbour: $56
- 2.5 hour Snorkel / Turtle Tour on the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth: $104
- 2hr Broome Trike Discovery Tour: $126
- 3.5 Hour Broome Dolphin Sunset Cruise: $132
- 3.5 hours Sunset Cruise in Broome: $115
- 4x4 Pinnacles Desert & Turquoise Coast Small Group Experience: $183
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 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $39
- 2-Hour Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Cruise: $100
- Aboriginal Homelands Experience: $286
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $43
- Afternoon Kata Tjuta Small Group Tour: $133
- Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour: $115
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $28
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $30
- Alice Springs Highlights & Nature Escape Day Tour: $136
- Alice Springs School of the Air Guided Tour Ticket: $12
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Tour - Small Group: $140
- Alice Town Highlights & East MacDonnell Ranges Half Day Tour: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWestern Australia $835Northern Territory $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Western Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Western Australia:
- Swan Valley Gin Distillery Tasting: $14
- Premium Temper Temper Chocolate & Red Wine Tasting: $22
- Private Wine Tasting in Barrel Hall: $29
- Private Barrel Hall Wine Tasting in the Margaret River Region: $37
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Margaret River: $40
- Savour Voyager Wine Tasting: $47
- Back Vintage Wine Tasting: $47
- Swan Valley Wine Tour - Half Day Afternoon: $79
- Discover Voyager Tour and Wine Tasting: $94
- Broome Afternoon Tour: Crocodile Refuge Brewery and Museum: $115
- Build your own Unique Private Winery/Brewery Tour at the Margaret River region: $122
- Half Day Swan Valley Afternoon Wine Tour - Premium Small Group Tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Western Australia and Northern Territory, we can see that Western Australia is more expensive. And not only is Northern Territory much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Northern Territory would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Northern Territory 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 Western Australia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Western Australia than you might in Northern Territory.
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.