Comparison · Melbourne vs Perth · Australia
Melbourne vs Perth
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Melbpal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Melbourne for Laneway cafés, Street art and free sights; choose Perth for Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas and lower day-to-day costs. Perth is generally less expensive, and the two are about 2,721 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 2,721 km
- Less expensive
- Perth
- Best time for Melbourne
- February–April and October–November
- Best time for Perth
- March–April and September–November
Side by side
| Melbourne | Perth | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Known for | Laneway cafés, Street art and Trams | Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas and Cottesloe Beach |
| Best time to visit | February–April and October–November | March–April and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $150–$270 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | February, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 14°C (57°F) | July, 18°C (64°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | St Kilda Beach | Cottesloe Beach |
| Airports | MEL, AVV | PER |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Melbourne for…
Laneway cafés, Street art and free sights. Melbourne is a grid-planned city on the Yarra River, known less for single landmarks than for laneway cafés, galleries, sport and food. The CBD's Hoddle Grid is covered by a free tram zone, and inner suburbs such as Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda…
Choose Perth for…
Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas and lower day-to-day costs. Perth, Boorloo to the Whadjuk Noongar people, sits on the broad Swan River a few kilometres from the Indian Ocean, and is one of the sunniest state capitals in Australia. The CBD and Elizabeth Quay face the river, Kings Park's bushland and botanic garden…
Top sights compared
| # | Melbourne | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federation Square and Flinders Street Station | Kings Park and Botanic Garden |
| 2 | Hosier Lane and the CBD laneways | Fremantle Prison |
| 3 | National Gallery of Victoria | Cottesloe Beach |
| 4 | Queen Victoria Market | Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower |
| 5 | Royal Botanic Gardens | WA Museum Boola Bardip |
Food compared
| Melbourne | Perth |
|---|---|
| Specialty coffee and the 'magic' | Western rock lobster |
| Melbourne brunch | Chilli mussels |
| Dim sim | Fish and chips at Fremantle |
| Souvlaki | WA dhufish |
Which is cheaper?
Perth is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$270 per person there, against $180–$320 in Melbourne (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Perth on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 2,721 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Melbourne or Perth cheaper?
Perth is usually less expensive: about $150–$270 a day mid-range against $180–$320 (estimates).
+Is Melbourne or Perth better for a first trip?
Pick Melbourne for Laneway cafés, Street art and free sights, or Perth for Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Melbourne from Perth?
About 2,721 km in a straight line.