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

Should you visit Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

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

Should I visit Wollongong or Lake Tekapo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a student-friendly, trendy, and vibrant coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a remote, basic, and small town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Wollongong and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wollongong. Although Wollongong and Lake Tekapo are popular destinations, Wollongong has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wollongong is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Tekapo attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Wollongong is famous for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also well known for Grand Pacific Drive. Lake Tekapo is famous for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Wollongong different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wollongong is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Wollongong 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 Wollongong is an experience not to be missed. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

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 Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Wollongong is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Wollongong know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

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 Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is a great destination for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wollongong for it's beautiful beaches. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is great for hiking. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Wollongong is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Wollongong to go shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

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

Is Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wollongong or Lake Tekapo.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Wollongong. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Wollongong is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Wollongong frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

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 Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Wollongong and Lake Tekapo are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

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

Is Wollongong or Lake Tekapo Better for Students?

Wollongong is a good destination for students. However, Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Wollongong is popular with students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Wollongong. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

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 Wollongong or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

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

Wollongong is a very walkable destination. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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 Wollongong Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Wollongong?

How long in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Wollongong than Lake Tekapo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wollongong, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lake Tekapo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wollongong 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 Wollongong.

One day in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant coastal city of Wollongong. 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.

With around the basic town of Lake Tekapo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Tekapo, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Wollongong. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With around the destination of Lake Tekapo, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

The student-friendly coastal city of Wollongong offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wollongong. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Lake Tekapo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in 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 Wollongong and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Wollongong 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 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 Lake Tekapo.

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

Which is Bigger, Wollongong or Lake Tekapo?

Wollongong has a larger population, and is about 790 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Wollongong 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.