A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Gold Coast vs. Cairns for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Gold Coast or Cairns?

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

Should I visit Gold Coast or Cairns? 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.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a colorful, high energy, and fun-filled coastline. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cairns

Cairns is a adventure-filled, tropical, and idyllic city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Gold Coast and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gold Coast or Cairns?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Gold Coast. While Gold Coast is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking, while Gold Coast attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, and big city activities. Gold Coast is famous for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. Cairns is famous for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also well known for the Great Barrier Reef.

How is Gold Coast different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gold Coast or Cairns?

Gold Coast is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Gold Coast offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Is the Food Better in Gold Coast or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Gold Coast and Cairns both to be high quality destinations.

Gold Coast has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find first-rate options in both Gold Coast and Cairns.

People head to Gold Coast just to party. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

The nightlife in Cairns is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Gold Coast is a great choice. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Cairns. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Cairns a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Gold Coast. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Gold Coast and Cairns are first-rate choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Gold Coast. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

With world-famous beaches, Cairns is a very popular vacation destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Cairns specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Gold Coast is a popular spot for hiking. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Is the Shopping Better in Gold Coast or Cairns?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gold Coast and Cairns both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Gold Coast. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Cairns is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Gold Coast or Cairns.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Gold Coast is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

Cairns is one of the most popular family destinations. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Couples?

Gold Coast is terrific for couples. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Gold Coast makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Gold Coast and Cairns are first-rate places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Gold Coast, as it is a very popular coastline for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

Cairns is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gold Coast is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Gold Coast can get you to most places easily. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Gold Coast or Cairns a more walkable city?

Gold Coast is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable coastline. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Gold Coast Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Gold Coast?

How long in Gold Coast or Cairns?

In either Gold Coast or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Gold Coast than Cairns because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Gold Coast, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

Families should spend more time in Gold Coast than Cairns. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Gold Coast, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Gold Coast than Cairns. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Gold Coast that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast than Cairns 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Gold Coast or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With shopping and nightlife around the outdoorsy city of Cairns, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

A weekend in Gold Coast or Cairns?

Gold Coast is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Cairns, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Gold Coast or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gold Coast. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cairns, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Gold Coast or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Gold Coast. This coastline offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Cairns is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Gold Coast and Cairns, we can see that Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gold Coast or Cairns?

Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Gold Coast and Cairns, 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 Gold Coast or Cairns?

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 Gold Coast or Cairns in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gold Coast and Cairns. The summer months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

Gold Coast is cooler than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Gold Coast averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Gold Coast usually receives less rain than Cairns. Gold Coast gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Gold Coast or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gold Coast as well as Cairns. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Gold Coast is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gold Coast in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Gold Coast usually gets less rain in April than Cairns. Gold Coast gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Gold Coast or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns and Gold Coast are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Gold Coast is generally much colder than Cairns. Daily temperatures in Gold Coast average around 15°C (59°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Gold Coast usually receives more rain than Cairns. Gold Coast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gold Coast or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Gold Coast during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gold Coast in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.

Gold Coast is cooler than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Gold Coast averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. Gold Coast usually gets more rain in October than Cairns. Gold Coast gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Gold Coast