A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fiordland National Park vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fiordland National Park or Whitsundays?

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 Fiordland National Park and Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Fiordland National Park or Whitsundays?

Fiordland National Park

One of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, Fiordland National Park is New Zealand's largest park, as well as one of the largest in the world. Although it may be the largest, it is the least explored park in the country. The park takes up the southwest region of the south island. The Department of Conservation manages the park (like all of the other parks in the country) and they try to keep development minimal in efforts to protect the environment and manage human activity. When visiting the park, prepare for rain as the park as over 200 days of rain per year.

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 Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Fiordland National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Fiordland National Park Prices
    New Zealand Prices
    Whitsundays Prices
    Australia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Fiordland National Park $113
    Whitsundays $155

The average daily cost (per person) in Fiordland National Park is $113, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Fiordland National Park and Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fiordland National Park $48
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fiordland National Park $96
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Fiordland National Park and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Fiordland National Park or Whitsundays? 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.

Hotels in Fiordland National Park


Hotels in Whitsundays


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fiordland National Park $41
    Whitsundays $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Fiordland National Park or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Fiordland National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fiordland National Park $39
    Whitsundays $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays

For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fiordland National Park $20
    Whitsundays $25

Tours and Activities in Fiordland National Park

For Fiordland National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Cruise with Canape Lunch: $404
  • Te Anau: River Jet Boat and Bike Ride Tour with Local Guide: $139

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
  • MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fiordland National Park $8.03
    Whitsundays $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fiordland National Park and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Fiordland National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fiordland National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fiordland National Park 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Fiordland National Park.

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