A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Adelaide vs. Coffs Harbour for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Adelaide and Coffs Harbour can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a nature-filled, lively, and relaxing vacation town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Adelaide and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Coffs Harbour than Adelaide. While Adelaide is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also home to the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Adelaide is popular for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Adelaide different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Adelaide or Coffs Harbour.

Adelaide is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Coffs Harbour offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.

Is the Food Better in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Coffs Harbour. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Coffs Harbour has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

In Coffs Harbour, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Coffs Harbour is considered to be a world-class beach destination. People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Coffs Harbour. There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Adelaide and Coffs Harbour.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Coffs Harbour is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular vacation town to visit for families. There are great beaches where kids can swim or learn to surf. There are also water parks, including the famous Big Banana Fun Park, as well as amusement parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy going dolphin or whale watching, or putting on a mask and going snorkeling.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Coffs Harbour makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful city and a popular honeymoon destination. Couples will enjoy the impressive beaches and fun activities. There are places to explore nature as well as restaurants and fun evening activities. There's also great scuba diving and snorkeling at the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Coffs Harbour is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town as well as great water activities and a lively atmosphere, making this a nice stop off for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Students?

Adelaide is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Coffs Harbour is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Coffs Harbour is not popular with students.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Adelaide is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Public transit is generally limited in Coffs Harbour. This is a very car dependent area and public transit is very limit. While there are buses, the area is spread out and you need the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore.

Is Adelaide or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Adelaide is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Adelaide is very walkable. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable city. Most visitors arrive with a car and you'll struggle to fully experience the area if you don't have your own form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Adelaide Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Both Adelaide and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Adelaide. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

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

Couples should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Coffs Harbour that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Adelaide 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 Coffs Harbour.

One day in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Adelaide. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The vacation town of Coffs Harbour offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Coffs Harbour is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly destination of Adelaide. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Coffs Harbour is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Coffs Harbour, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Coffs Harbour is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Coffs Harbour has to offer. This vacation town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Adelaide Expensive? and Is Coffs Harbour Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Coffs Harbour, 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 Adelaide or Coffs Harbour?

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 Adelaide or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

Adelaide is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour in the summer. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Coffs Harbour during summer. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In January, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Adelaide or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Adelaide during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Adelaide is cooler than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Adelaide in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the autumn, Adelaide often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adelaide usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Coffs Harbour. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Adelaide is generally cooler than Coffs Harbour. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 11°C (52°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during winter. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Adelaide usually receives around the same amount of rain as Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Adelaide or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Coffs Harbour. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Adelaide is cooler than Coffs Harbour in the spring. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. In the spring, Adelaide often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Adelaide usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbour. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Adelaide