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

Should you visit Katoomba or Wollongong?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Katoomba and Wollongong. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.


Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.


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.

Which city is cheaper, Wollongong or Katoomba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Katoomba is $124, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $111. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Katoomba and Wollongong in more detail.



An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Wollongong For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.

  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Katoomba $71
    Wollongong $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Katoomba $142
    Wollongong $120


The average traveler spends about $16 per day in Katoomba for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.

In Wollongong travelers spend around $28 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.

  • Food Meals for one day
    Katoomba $16
    Wollongong $28

Typical Food prices in Wollongong

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:

  • Lunch

Local Transportation

The cost of a taxi ride in Katoomba is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $46 per person, per day, on local transportation in Katoomba.

Wollongong's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $36 per person, per day on transportation in Wollongong.

  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Katoomba $46
    Wollongong $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Katoomba or Wollongong?

Prices for flights to both Wollongong and Katoomba 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.


Entertainment and activities in Katoomba typically cost an average of $49 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Wollongong can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.

  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Katoomba $49
    Wollongong $21

Tours and Activities in Katoomba

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:

  • Amazing Full Day Abseiling Adventure in the Blue Mountains: $198
  • Bathurst Wine Trail Full-Day Private Tour with Tastings: $371
  • Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
  • Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and Bilpin Tour from Katoomba with Cider Tasting: $167
  • Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides: $43
  • Blue Mountains Secret Places Adventure: $118
  • Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillac Tour with Local Guide: $502
  • Blue Mountains: 4WD Adventure Tour with Local Guide: $197
  • Full-Day Canyoning Experience at Stunning Empress Canyon: $205
  • Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $119
  • Juggler Canyon and Abseiling Adventure Blue Mountains: $198
  • Ninety Minute Wombat Adventures Guided Tour: $67


Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Wollongong, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $16.

  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Katoomba -
    Wollongong $16

When comparing the travel costs between Katoomba and Wollongong, we can see that Katoomba 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.

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Katoomba vs. Wollongong Travel Comparison
