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

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Should you visit Darwin or Coffs Harbour?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Coffs Harbour, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Darwin or Coffs Harbour?

Darwin

Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Darwin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Darwin is $110, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $134. 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 Darwin and Coffs Harbour in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Darwin $61
    Coffs Harbour $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Darwin $122
    Coffs Harbour $124
Compare Hotels in Darwin and Coffs Harbour

Looking for a hotel in Darwin or Coffs Harbour? 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 Darwin


Hotels in Coffs Harbour


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: Darwin Hotel Prices and Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Darwin $12
    Coffs Harbour $22
Typical Local Transportation prices in Darwin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:


  • Shuttle to Train Station
    $9.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:

  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $58
  • Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
  • Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
  • Crocodile Jumping Wetlands Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Darwin or Coffs Harbour?

Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Darwin 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
    Darwin $37
    Coffs Harbour $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.

  • Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $64
  • Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $84
  • Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $85
  • Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $102
  • Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $104
  • 3.5 Hour Small Group Walking Food & Art Tour with LUNCH or DINNER: $150
  • Kakadu Nation Park 1 Day With Dinner Luxury Small Group Ex Darwin: $360

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Darwin $15
    Coffs Harbour $41

Tours and Activities in Darwin

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:

  • 3 Days Kakadu Cultural Rock Art Experience: $1,572
  • 1 Day Berry Springs, Jumping Croc Cruise, Fogg Dam & Outback Pub: $174
  • 1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch: $128
  • 1 Day Litchfield National Park Tour & Berry Springs in Minivan: $115
  • 1 Hour Darwin Adventure Boats Tour: $124
  • 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $29
  • 17-Day Darwin to Cairns Tour: $3,911
  • 3-Day Kakadu & Litchfield 4WD Camping Adventure from Darwin: $529
  • 3-Day Tour of Top End Highlights in Northern Territory, Australia: $583
  • 3.5-Hour Gourmet Bar & Street Art Tour: $128
  • 4 Day Kakadu 4WD Adventure Tour from Darwin with Billabong Wetlands Cruise: $1,363
  • 4-Day Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Guided Tour From Darwin : $1,048

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)
    $7.07

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

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

  • Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $39
  • Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $62
  • Sunset Experience: $76
  • Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $124
  • Coastal Adventure: $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Darwin $13
    Coffs Harbour $8.27
Typical Alcohol prices in Darwin

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $15
  • Glass of Wine
    $4.50

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Darwin or Coffs Harbour?

Darwin is bigger, and its population is about 48% larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the population of Darwin vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Darwin or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Darwin is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (83°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Darwin often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 173 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Darwin 29°C (83°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Coffs Harbour.

Darwin is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Coffs Harbour during autumn. Darwin gets 267 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. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Darwin 29°C (84°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Coffs Harbour.

In the winter, Darwin is much warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Darwin in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Darwin 25°C (77°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Darwin or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Darwin is generally much warmer than Coffs Harbour. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 29°C (85°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 Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Darwin gets 291 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 October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Darwin 29°C (85°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Darwin

Darwin Coffs Harbour
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (83°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 342 mm (13.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 29°C (85°F) 76 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 30°C (85°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Dec 29°C (85°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Darwin vs. Coffs Harbour Travel Comparison

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