A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wollongong vs. Wellington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Wollongong or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Wollongong or Wellington? 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 vibrant, student-friendly, and trendy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Wollongong 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.

Wollongong and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wollongong or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wollongong than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Wollongong, Wollongong has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wollongong is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Wellington is known for its shopping. Wellington is more touristy than Wollongong and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Wollongong is popular for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also home to Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Wollongong different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wellington 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 Wellington?

Wollongong 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.

Wollongong offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Wollongong or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Wollongong and Wellington can be an enjoyable experience.

Wollongong has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

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 Wollongong or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Wollongong and Wellington.

Many people head to Wollongong for the nightlife scene. 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.

Wellington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Wollongong or Wellington Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Wollongong and Wellington are high quality choices.

Wollongong is considered a top beach destination. 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.

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 Wollongong or Wellington Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Wollongong and Wellington both have good trails.

Wollongong is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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 Wollongong or Wellington?

Wellington is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Wollongong or Wellington Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wollongong or Wellington.

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.

Wellington is 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 Wollongong or Wellington Better for Couples?

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

Wollongong makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Wellington is a good coastal 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 Wollongong or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Wellington. 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.

Wollongong is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Wollongong or Wellington Better for Students?

For students, both Wollongong and Wellington are good places to visit.

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

Wellington is a good coastal city to visit for students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Wollongong and Wellington both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

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 in Wellington is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Wollongong or Wellington a more walkable city?

Wollongong and Wellington are high quality when it comes to 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Wollongong?

How long in Wollongong or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wollongong and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wollongong than in Wellington. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wollongong, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

Families should spend more time in Wollongong than Wellington. 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 Wellington. 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 Wellington than Wollongong 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 Wellington.

One day in Wollongong or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the student-friendly coastal city of Wollongong, 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.

With museums and nightlife around the funky city of Wellington, 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.

A weekend in Wollongong or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Wollongong, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Wellington, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Wollongong or Wellington?

Wollongong, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Wellington?

Wollongong 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.

Wellington 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 Coach Bus Tours in Australia, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Wollongong or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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 Wollongong or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wollongong and Wellington. The summer months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In January, Wollongong is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Wollongong average around 23°C (74°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wollongong usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during summer. Wollongong gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wollongong usually receives more rain than Wellington. Wollongong gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wollongong or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wollongong as well as Wellington. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Wollongong is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wollongong averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Wollongong often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Wollongong gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Wollongong usually gets less rain in April than Wellington. Wollongong gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wollongong or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Wollongong are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Wollongong is around the same temperature as Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wollongong in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. Wollongong usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Wollongong gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In July, Wollongong usually receives less rain than Wellington. Wollongong gets 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wollongong or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Wollongong during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wollongong in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months.

In October, Wollongong is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Wollongong average around 17°C (63°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. In the spring, Wollongong often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Wollongong gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Wollongong usually gets less rain in October than Wellington. Wollongong gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Wollongong