A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Coffs Harbour vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays?

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 Whitsundays 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.

Where Should I go: Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays?

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Coffs Harbour?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coffs Harbour is $136, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coffs Harbour and Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coffs Harbour $63
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coffs Harbour $126
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Coffs Harbour and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Coffs Harbour


Hotels in Whitsundays


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coffs Harbour $22
    Whitsundays $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Coffs Harbour change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Coffs Harbour $51
    Whitsundays $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays

For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coffs Harbour $42
    Whitsundays $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surfing Museum (for 2)
    $7.17

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Coastal Adventure: $125
  • Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $63
  • Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $40
  • Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $125
  • Sunset Experience: $77
  • Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $40

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,927
  • Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
  • From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
  • Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coffs Harbour $8.38
    Whitsundays $12


When comparing the travel costs between Coffs Harbour and Whitsundays, 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays?

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 Whitsundays in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coffs Harbour and Whitsundays. Many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Coffs Harbour is cooler than Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Coffs Harbour averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coffs Harbour usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Coffs Harbour gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Coffs Harbour usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F) 
    Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Coffs Harbour as well as Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Coffs Harbour is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coffs Harbour in April average around 20°C (67°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In the autumn, Coffs Harbour often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coffs Harbour usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays in the Winter?

Both Whitsundays and Coffs Harbour are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In July, Coffs Harbour is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Coffs Harbour average around 13°C (55°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays during winter. Coffs Harbour gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Coffs Harbour usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F) 
    Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Coffs Harbour or Whitsundays in the Spring?

Both Whitsundays and Coffs Harbour during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Coffs Harbour is cooler than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Coffs Harbour averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. In the spring, Coffs Harbour often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Coffs Harbour gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour Whitsundays
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)