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

Should you visit Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Coffs Harbour than Wellington. While Wellington is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Coffs Harbour is famous for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also well known for the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Coffs Harbour different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Coffs Harbour or Wellington.

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.

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Both Coffs Harbour and Wellington offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Coffs Harbour. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Both Coffs Harbour and Wellington have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

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.

The people in Wellington know how to have a good time. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

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

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

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.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Coffs Harbour and Wellington.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Couples?

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Wellington is a good vacation town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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

Coffs Harbour and Wellington are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Coffs Harbour is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Wellington is a great vacation town to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Coffs Harbour or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Coffs Harbour is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Coffs Harbour is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Wellington is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Coffs Harbour?

How long in Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

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

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

One day in Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the relaxing vacation town of Coffs Harbour, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Wellington. 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 Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Coffs Harbour, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Coffs Harbour, a popular vacation town, 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 vacation town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city 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 Wellington?

Coffs Harbour is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this vacation town makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Wellington. 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 Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.

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

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 Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Coffs Harbour and Wellington, 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 Coffs Harbour or Wellington?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington and Coffs Harbour are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Coffs Harbour is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coffs Harbour in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during summer. Coffs Harbour gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. In January, Coffs Harbour usually receives more rain than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Coffs Harbour during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Coffs Harbour is generally a little warmer than Wellington. Daily temperatures in Coffs Harbour average around 20°C (67°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. In the autumn, Coffs Harbour often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour usually gets more rain in April than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Coffs Harbour and Wellington. Most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Coffs Harbour is a little warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Coffs Harbour averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coffs Harbour usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Coffs Harbour gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Coffs Harbour usually receives less rain than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Coffs Harbour as well as Wellington. The spring months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In the spring, Coffs Harbour is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coffs Harbour in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In the spring, Coffs Harbour often gets more sunshine than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the spring. Coffs Harbour usually gets more rain in October than Wellington. Coffs Harbour gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Coffs Harbour