A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Newcastle for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Bali or Newcastle?

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 Newcastle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a stunning, tropical, and lush island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a trendy, coastal, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Newcastle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Newcastle than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Newcastle is more popular for its museums & sights and big city activities, while Bali is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Newcastle and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Newcastle is popular for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. It is also home to the Bathers Way.

How is Bali different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Newcastle 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 Newcastle?

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

Many visitors head to Newcastle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Newcastle. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

Bali is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Bali is a must-see 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.

Newcastle has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its resorts. However, Newcastle is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great 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.

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beach. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. 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.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

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 people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Newcastle?

Both Bali and Newcastle 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 Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Families?

Bali is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly island. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Bali is terrific for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

Is Bali or Newcastle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is terrific for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Newcastle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

Both Bali and Newcastle offer good public transit options.

Bali has a few 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.

Newcastle has some public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Is Bali or Newcastle a more walkable city?

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

Newcastle is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city 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 Newcastle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Bali?

How long in Bali or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Bali or Newcastle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bali due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-4 days is enough time in Newcastle.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Newcastle?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Newcastle. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Newcastle?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the spiritual destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Newcastle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Newcastle?

You'll find nightlife and food around the spiritual island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Newcastle. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Newcastle?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The coastal city of Newcastle offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Newcastle?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Newcastlein January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Newcastle in the Autumn?

Both Newcastle and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

In October, Bali is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein April. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Newcastlein April. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Newcastlein April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, many travelers come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bali is much warmer than Newcastle in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Newcastle. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bali is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein October. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Newcastlein October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Bali