A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coffs Harbour vs. Tauranga for Beaches, Families, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

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 Tauranga 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 fun, nature-filled, and lively vacation town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a relaxing, nature-filled, and coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour and Tauranga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Tauranga. While Tauranga is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Tauranga is more popular for its impressive beauty. Coffs Harbour is well 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. Tauranga is well known for its sandy beaches and beautiful walking trails.

How is Coffs Harbour different from Tauranga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Coffs Harbour or Tauranga.

Coffs Harbour is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Tauranga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic buildings in town like the Elms Mission Station which dates back to 1847.

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

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Coffs Harbour is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tauranga. You'll find a great mix of restaurants in the town's downtown area. There are international flavors as well as seafood and other local favorites.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Coffs Harbour offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Tauranga. The city is known for its laid back bar scene. There are venues with casual live music as well as pubs where locals and tourists intermingle.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Tauranga is not a resort destination.

Coffs Harbour is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Tauranga is not a resort destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tauranga is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Tauranga is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Coffs Harbour. 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.

Tauranga is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Families and travelers head here for the sandy beaches and water activities. Surfing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular in the area. Some of the most popular beaches include Mount Maunganui Beach, Waihī Beach, and Anzac Bay.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Hiking?

Both Coffs Harbour and Tauranga are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tauranga. The Bay of Plenty is filled with hiking trails that run along the coast or head inland through the mountains. There are forest and bush walks that range in length and skill level and there really is something for everyone.

Is the Shopping Better in Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Tauranga. You'll find all of the standard shopping malls, retail outlets, and clothing boutiques around town.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Families?

Both Coffs Harbour and Tauranga are terrific to visit with kids.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular vacation town to visit for families. 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.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Tauranga is very family-friendly. Check out the ropes courses at Adrenalin Forest or play in the water at Waimarino Adventure Park. There are also many different walking areas like McLaren Falls Park and Kaiate Falls. Kids will love hanging out at the beach around Mount Maunganui or Papamoa Beach. This is an affordable and kid-family destination for locals and international tourists alike.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Couples?

Both Coffs Harbour and Tauranga are excellent 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 Tauranga frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a romantic destination with great beaches and beautiful waterfalls. You can enjoy a picnic in the park or dine at one of the local restaurants. Kayaking is also a popular activity in the area.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tauranga is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Tauranga. This is one of the more affordable destinations in New Zealand. There are also a number of backpacker-friendly jobs that make it a great place to base yourself.

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Tauranga is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its public transit.

Tauranga has some public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries in the area.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Coffs Harbour or Tauranga a more walkable city?

Tauranga is a town with good options for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Tauranga is somewhat walkable. There are many walking and cycling paths in the area, but you really need a car to explore the area in depth.

Coffs Harbour is not a 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Tauranga or Coffs Harbour?

How long in Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

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

Families should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Tauranga. 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 Tauranga. 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 Tauranga than Coffs Harbour 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 Tauranga.

One day in Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

The vacation town of Coffs Harbour offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Tauranga. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Tauranga?

Coffs Harbour is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tauranga. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Tauranga?

Coffs Harbour is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Coffs Harbour, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nature-filled destination of Tauranga. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

Coffs Harbour is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Coffs Harbour has to offer. This vacation town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful town of Tauranga. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coffs Harbour and Tauranga, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Tauranga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tauranga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tauranga 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 Tauranga.

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 Tauranga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Coffs Harbour or Tauranga?

Tauranga has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Coffs Harbour and Tauranga, 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.