A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Melbourne for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Bali or Melbourne?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Melbourne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Bali travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Melbourne travel costs.

Bali and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Melbourne?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Bali. Melbourne is bigger than Bali, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Bali different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Melbourne?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Melbourne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Dining out in Melbourne is an experience not to be missed. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Bali is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Bali is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Melbourne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Bali is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Bali is very popular for the beach. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Bali is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Melbourne?

Both Bali and Melbourne are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Bali or Melbourne More Beautiful?

Bali is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Melbourne.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Melbourne. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Bali is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Melbourne is a good island for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is a must-visit destination for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Melbourne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Bali?

How long in Bali or Melbourne?

In either Bali or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Melbourne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Melbourne 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Melbourne?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the lush destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Melbourne?

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Melbourne is a livable big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Melbourne?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The cultural city of Melbourne offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Melbourne is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Melbourne, 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.

When is the best time to visit Bali or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein January. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in July than Melbournein January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Melbourne. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Melbournein July. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Melbournein July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Bali is much warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Bali