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

Should you visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a accessible, authentic, and coastal city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a fun, nature-filled, and lively vacation town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Da Nang and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular 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. Da Nang is famous for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Da Nang. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

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.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour are excellent when it comes to partying.

Da Nang offers plenty to do in the evening. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Coffs Harbour has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Da Nang and Coffs Harbour offer a relatively similar set of excellent luxury resort options.

Da Nang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Coffs Harbour. 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.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Da Nang 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.

Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is terrific for the beache. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Coffs Harbour is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Coffs Harbour is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Da Nang. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour make for a excellent place to visit.

Da Nang is a very popular place to visit for couples. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic 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.

Is Da Nang or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Da Nang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

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

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

Da Nang has some public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

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 Da Nang or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Neither Da Nang or Coffs Harbour are walkable places.

Da Nang is not a walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

Coffs Harbour is not a very walkable city. 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 Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the accessible destination of Da Nang. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Coffs Harbour, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This vacation town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

In Coffs Harbour, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the accessible destination of Da Nang. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Da Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Coffs Harbour. In Coffs Harbour, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Coffs Harbour, 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 Da Nang or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Da Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin January. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 29°C (85°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Da Nang. In the summer, Da Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbourin January. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang. August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Coffs Harbour. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

In the winter, Da Nang is much warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Da Nang in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the winter. Da Nang usually gets more rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin October. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 26°C (80°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Da Nang