A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Gold Coast for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Bali or Gold Coast?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Gold Coast can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a high energy, fun-filled, and glamourous coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Bali and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Gold Coast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gold Coast than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Gold Coast is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Bali is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Bali is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Gold Coast is popular for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches.

How is Bali different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Gold Coast specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Gold Coast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Gold Coast makes for a great culinary experience. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and Gold Coast are world-class when it comes to partying.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Gold Coast is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Bali and Gold Coast.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Gold Coast offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Gold Coast. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Bali and Gold Coast are world-class choices for a beach vacation.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

The beaches in Gold Coast are among the best in the world. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

You'll find great hiking in both Bali and Gold Coast.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Gold Coast?

Both Bali and Gold Coast are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Gold Coast. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Families?

Gold Coast is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Gold Coast is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Both Bali and Gold Coast are world-class destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Gold Coast has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bali and Gold Coast are world-class destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

A large number of backpackers visit Gold Coast, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

Is Bali or Gold Coast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gold Coast is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Gold Coast can get you to some places easily. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Gold Coast is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Gold Coast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Bali?

How long in Bali or Gold Coast?

Both Bali and Gold Coast have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Gold Coast has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Gold Coast than Bali. In general, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 3-7 days is enough time in Gold Coast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast than Bali 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Bali or Gold Coast?

With shopping and nightlife around the lush island of Bali, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Gold Coast?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Gold Coast is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Gold Coast?

Bali, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Gold Coast. This coastline offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Gold Coast?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful coastline of Gold Coast. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Gold Coast is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Gold Coast, 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 Bali or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Gold Coast in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Gold Coast. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coastin January. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Gold Coastin January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

Both Gold Coast and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

In October, Bali is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Gold Coast during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Gold Coast in the Winter?

Both Gold Coast and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bali is much warmer than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Bali often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin July. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Gold Coastin July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Gold Coast in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bali is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Bali