A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surfers Paradise vs. Wellington for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Wellington, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Wellington travel costs.

Surfers Paradise and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Surfers Paradise and Wellington are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Wellington and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Surfers Paradise different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Surfers Paradise offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Surfers Paradise or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Surfers Paradise and Wellington.

Surfers Paradise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Wellington makes for a great culinary experience. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a world class party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Surfers Paradise is a great choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Surfers Paradise. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise and Wellington are both places where visitors can find good hiking trails.

Surfers Paradise has hiking trails worth exploring. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Surfers Paradise draws large crowds to its stores. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Couples?

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Surfers Paradise is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wellington is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

You'll find some public transit in Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Surfers Paradise or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting? and Is Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Surfers Paradise?

How long in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Surfers Paradise and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Wellington. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Surfers Paradise, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Wellington 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the high energy city of Surfers Paradise, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the funky destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Surfers Paradise, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the funky city of Wellington. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Surfers Paradise, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Surfers Paradise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Surfers Paradise and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise and Wellington, 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 Surfers Paradise or Wellington?

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 Surfers Paradise or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during summer. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in April than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Wellington. The winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In the winter, Surfers Paradise is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Wellington. The beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.

In October, Surfers Paradise is generally much warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the spring, Surfers Paradise often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in October than Wellington. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Surfers Paradise