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

Should you visit Bali or Torquay?

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

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bali than Torquay, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Torquay is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Bali is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere.

How is Bali different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Torquay is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Torquay offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Bali is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its evening party scene.

Bali is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Bali is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Bali and Torquay are terrific 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 Torquay are among the best in the world. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Hiking?

You'll find excellent hiking in both Bali and Torquay.

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 Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Torquay?

Bali is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its shopping areas.

Bali is well-known for its shopping. 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 go to Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Families?

Bali is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bali is very family-friendly. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Couples?

Bali is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for couples.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Torquay is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Is Bali or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular 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.

Torquay is a good island to visit for backpackers. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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

Both Bali and Torquay offer notable 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.

Torquay has some public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Bali or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Bali?

How long in Bali or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Torquay. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Torquay. 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 Torquay. 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 Torquay 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 Torquay?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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 Torquay?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Torquay is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 Torquay?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Torquay. This surf town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The thriving surf town of Torquay offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 Torquay 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Torquay?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Torquay. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Torquay. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Torquayin January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay 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, many visitors come to Torquay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bali is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Torquayin April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Torquay in the Winter?

Both Torquay 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Torquayin July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Bali is a little warmer than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

In April, Bali usually receives around the same amount of rain as Torquayin October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Bali