Should you visit Alice Springs or Coffs Harbour?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Alice Springs and Coffs Harbour can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.
Which city is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Alice Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alice Springs is $84, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $120. 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 Alice Springs and Coffs Harbour in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $88 for a double occupancy room in Alice Springs If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Travelers usually pay around $112 for a double occupancy room in Coffs Harbour If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $21 per day in Alice Springs 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.
While meal prices in Coffs Harbour can vary, the average travelers spends about $45 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Coffs Harbour should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Coffs Harbour is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Alice Springs $21
Coffs Harbour $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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From Uluru Full-Day Tour with BBQ Dinner:
$191
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Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Sunset BBQ Dinner:
$209
Local Transportation
Alice Springs'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 $18 per person, per day on transportation in Alice Springs.
To get around in Coffs Harbour, the average visitor spends $20 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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From Ayers Rock Resort to Luxury Transfer:
$130
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Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer:
$118
Is it cheaper to fly into Alice Springs or Coffs Harbour?
Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Alice Springs 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
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Alice Springs can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Coffs Harbour, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $37 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
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3-Day Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via Kings Canyon Tour:
$662
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3-Day Uluru Camping Tour from Alice Springs Including Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon:
$340
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3-Day Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon 4WD Small-Group Eco-Tour from Alice Springs:
$2,707
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Alice Springs Camel Tour:
$64
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Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket:
$29
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Alice Springs Highlights Half-Day Tour:
$92
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Alice Springs Telegraph Station Entry and Tour Ticket:
$12
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Alice Springs, Uluru Ayers Rock & Kings Canyon 8 Days Touring Package:
$2,686
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4WD Palm Valley Tour with Lunch:
$126
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Best of Alice Springs Full Day Tour:
$142
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Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley 1 Day 4WD Tour:
$394
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East MacDonnell Ranges 1 Day 4WD Tour:
$257
Typical Entertainment prices in Coffs Harbour
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surfing Museum (for 2)
$7.93
Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour
For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Coastal Adventure:
$116
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Coffs Harbour - Jetty by Bike Tour:
$43
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1-Hour All Terrain Segway Tour:
$57
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Rainforest & Waterfall Experience:
$116
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Alice Springs, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Typically, people visiting Coffs Harbour spend on average $7.41 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
Sample the Local Flavors in Coffs Harbour
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Coffs Harbour:
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Dangar Falls and Dorrigo National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Lunch:
$242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alice Springs and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Alice Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alice Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alice Springs 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 Alice Springs.
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