A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coffs Harbour vs. Milford Sound for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound 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.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a nature-filled, lively, and relaxing vacation town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a world renowned, remote, and iconic fiord. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing and hiking.

Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Coffs Harbour than Milford Sound, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Coffs Harbour is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Milford Sound is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Milford Sound and is known for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". Also, Coffs Harbour is famous for the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Milford Sound is well known for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains.

How is Coffs Harbour different from Milford Sound?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Skiing?

Milford Sound is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Coffs Harbour is not a skiing destination.

Milford Sound offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Coffs Harbour is not a skiing destination.

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

Coffs Harbour is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Coffs Harbour. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Coffs Harbour has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Coffs Harbour has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Milford Sound is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Coffs Harbour to choose from. 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.

Milford Sound is not a resort destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Milford Sound is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Coffs Harbour. 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.

Milford Sound is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is an amazing vacation town to visit for the beach. However, Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Coffs Harbour offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Hiking?

Milford Sound is very popular for its hiking trails. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Milford Sound visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Coffs Harbour. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is an amazing vacation town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milford Sound is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is very family-friendly. 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.

Milford Sound is a very family-friendly place to visit. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Couples?

Both Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Couples visit Milford Sound frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Milford Sound is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Coffs Harbour. 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 budget travelers visit Milford Sound. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

Is Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound a more walkable city?

Neither Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound are walkable places.

Coffs Harbour is not a very walkable vacation town. 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.

Milford Sound is not a walkable vacation town. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Milford Sound or Coffs Harbour?

How long in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Coffs Harbour than Milford Sound because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Coffs Harbour, and 2-6 days is enough time in Milford Sound.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Milford Sound 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 Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the lively destination of Coffs Harbour. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the skiing when visiting the remote destination of Milford Sound. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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.

A weekend in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Coffs Harbour. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milford Sound. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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.

Five days in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the lively destination of Coffs Harbour. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This vacation town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the skiing when visiting the world renowned destination of Milford Sound. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This fiord offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the vacation town of Coffs Harbour. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find skiing around the beautiful fiord of Milford Sound. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Coffs Harbour or Milford Sound?

Coffs Harbour has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Coffs Harbour and Milford Sound, 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.