Which place is cheaper, South Australia 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 South Australia?
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 South Australia 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 South Australia?
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.
South Australia
Millions of travelers are attracted to Australia for a variety of reasons. Sure there are adventures waiting around ever Aussie corner, but sometimes you just want to sit back and relax. That's when it's time to visit South Australia.
Nestled between Western Australia and Queensland, this state is home to 1.6 million people. Even with that many people, however, it's still less than 10 percent of the entire country's population. With less tourists, infamous wine, delectable produce and an untouched environment, Southern Australia is the perfect spot to kickback in the outback.
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 PricesSouth Australia Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWestern Australia $13,528South Australia $171
The average daily cost (per person) in Western Australia is $13,528, while the average daily cost in South Australia is $171. 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 South Australia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWestern Australia $7,353South Australia $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWestern Australia $
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14South Australia $136
Compare Hotels in Western Australia and South Australia
Looking for a hotel in Western Australia or South Australia? 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 $2,103South Australia $20
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: $249
- Private Perth Airport & City Hotel Chauffeur Transfer: $241
- Perth Airport (PER) to Perth city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $172
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Port to Learmonth Airport (LEA): $111
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Luxury Van: $109
- Departure Transfer: Perth to Perth Airport PER by Business Car: $86
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $72
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Exmouth Cruise Port to Exmouth city hotels: $64
- Private Transfer from Exmouth City Hotels to Exmouth Cruise Port: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Australia
Also for South Australia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Adelaide city to Adelaide Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Port to Adelaide Airport (ADL): $58
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Cruise Port to Adelaide city: $58
- Private Transfer from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Adelaide Port: $58
- Private Transfer Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide City & Port: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Adelaide Airport: $57
- One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $286
- Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Luxury Van: $110
- Airport Transfer: Adelaide to Airport ADL by Luxury Van: $110
- Adelaide Premium Chauffeur Airport Transfers Experience: $88
- Adelaide Chauffeur Airport Transfer: $86
- Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Western Australia or South Australia?
Prices for flights to both South Australia 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 $4,338South Australia $54
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: $110
- Swan River Dinner Cruise: $114
- Lake Kununurra Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Margaret River Small-Group Full-Day Wine & Food Tour: $132
- Pinnacles Sunset Stargazing Dinner Experience Small Group Tour: $142
- Pinnacles Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $156
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Australia
For South Australia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Adelaide Central Market Food Tour: $49
- Tastes of Chinatown Adelaide food tour: $85
- Four Hours Cooking Class in Adelaide Hills: $132
- Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $213
- Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa: $248
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Western Australia $1,462South Australia $14
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: $146
- 1 Hour Broome Sunset Camel Tour: $89
- 1 Hour Broome Sunset Camel Tour on Cable Beach: $89
- 1 Hour Deluxe Scenic Dolphin Cruise: $34
- 2 hour whale watching experience departing Hillarys Boat Harbour: $55
- 2hr Broome Trike Discovery Tour: $124
- 3.5 Hour Broome Dolphin Sunset Cruise: $131
- 3.5 hours Sunset Cruise in Broome: $114
- 90 Minute Midweek Pirate Ship Scenic Cruise: $30
- Adventure Rottnest Tour with Ferry & Adventure Cruise: $117
- Afternoon Broome Town Tour including Beer Tasting & Sunset Drinks: $78
- Albany Wildlife and Scenic Cruise: $89
Tours and Activities in South Australia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for South Australia.
- 1 Day Aboriginal Cultural Tour of Port Lincoln: $224
- 90 Minute Port Adelaide Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise: $63
- Abseiling Adventure in Adelaide: $106
- Adelaide Central Market Delicious Lunch Tour: $132
- Adelaide City Kayak Tour: $55
- Adelaide Cosy Bar Tour East End: $49
- Adelaide Cruise Ship Tours to Hahndorf & Hills Wildlife Wonders: $260
- Adelaide Gems in a Day: Hahndorf, Glenelg Beach, City Tour 6.5hrs: $75
- Adelaide Hills Nature Highlights Self-Guided e-Bike Tour: $63
- Adelaide Hills Tour with River Murray Lunch Cruise: $134
- Adelaide Hills Wine, Gin and Brew Small Group Premium Tour: $229
- Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf - Half Day Private Scenic Tour: $188
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWestern Australia $830South Australia $23
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: $21
- Private Wine Tasting in Barrel Hall: $28
- Private Barrel Hall Wine Tasting in the Margaret River Region: $36
- Small-Group Wine Tour in Margaret River: $39
- Back Vintage Wine Tasting: $46
- Savour Voyager Wine Tasting: $46
- Swan Valley Wine Tour - Half Day Afternoon: $78
- Discover Voyager Tour and Wine Tasting: $92
- Build your own Unique Private Winery/Brewery Tour at the Margaret River region: $100
- Broome Afternoon Tour: Crocodile Refuge Brewery and Museum: $114
- Margaret River Boutique Wine Tour w. Blind Tasting+Italian Lunch: $128
Sample the Local Flavors in South Australia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in South Australia:
- Exquisite Unique Wine Tasting Experience: $21
- Gourmet Grazing Platter & Wine Tasting Experience for 2: $56
- McLaren Vale North Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Barossa Valley Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $71
- Luke's McLaren Vale Wine Tour: $89
- Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $96
- Barossa Wine tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings, Brewery & Chocolate: $106
- Barossa & Maggie Beers Farm (4 wine Tastings & Lunch included): $108
- Barossa Valley Food & Wine Tour: $108
- Picnic and Wine Tasting Experience in the Barossa Valley: $110
- Discover Barossa: 4 Wine Tastings, Gourmet Lunch, and Hidden Gems: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Western Australia and South Australia, we can see that Western Australia is more expensive. And not only is South Australia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to South Australia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in South 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 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 South 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 South Australia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Western Australia or South Australia?
Western Australia has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of South Australia. When comparing the sizes of Western Australia and South Australia, 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.