A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Wollongong vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wollongong or Whitsundays?

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

Should I visit Wollongong or Whitsundays? 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.

Where Should I go: Wollongong or Whitsundays?

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Wollongong and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Wollongong or Whitsundays?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Wollongong or Whitsundays in the Summer?

Both Whitsundays and Wollongong are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wollongong is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wollongong in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. Wollongong usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Wollongong gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In January, Wollongong usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wollongong or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

Both Whitsundays and Wollongong during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

In April, Wollongong is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Wollongong average around 18°C (64°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Wollongong often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.

Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wollongong usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wollongong or Whitsundays in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wollongong and Whitsundays. Many travelers come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wollongong is much colder than Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Wollongong averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wollongong usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Wollongong gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Wollongong usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wollongong or Whitsundays in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wollongong as well as Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Wollongong in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Wollongong is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wollongong in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In the spring, Wollongong often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.

Wollongong usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Wollongong gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Wollongong