A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gold Coast vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

Should I visit Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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.

Where Should I go: Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Gold Coast?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gold Coast Prices
    Australia Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gold Coast $119
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198

The average daily cost (per person) in Gold Coast is $119, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198. 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 Gold Coast and Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gold Coast $55
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gold Coast $110
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
Compare Hotels in Gold Coast and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Gold Coast


Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gold Coast $23
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast

Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $21
  • Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer Sydney CBD: $22
  • OOL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $42
  • Private Transfer Gold Coast Airport OOL to City Centre/Brisbane: $48
  • Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
  • Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
  • Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer: $74
  • Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $112
  • Brisbane and Gold Coast Personal Airport Private Transfer: $121

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private transfer dropoff Nadi Airport or resort : $168
  • Private Transfer: Nadi Airport to Pacific Harbour - 1 to 4 Seat Vehicle: $130
  • Treetops Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $128
  • Fiji Cultural Full Day Island Cruise With Lunch & Transfers : $112
  • Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $92
  • CFC Approved Roundtrip Car Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $79
  • Private Transfer-Nadi Airport to Nanuku /Pearl/Uprising Resort : $78
  • CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Momi Bay: $68
  • Private Premium Departure Transfer : Hotel to Nadi Airport: $67
  • Private Transfer: Intercontinental Resort and Spa to Nadi Airport: $66
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental & Yatule Resort: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) and Gold Coast 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
    Gold Coast $47
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast

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

  • Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
  • Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
  • Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $310

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gold Coast $19
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

Tours and Activities in Gold Coast

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

  • Spring Brook National Park Driving Tour with an APP: $15
  • Spring Brook National Park Self Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise: $15
  • Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $21
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise: $21
  • SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $22
  • SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $23
  • Surfers Paradise: Cruise, HOTA Gallery Entry, & Dining Pass: $26
  • Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $29
  • Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Cruise: $30
  • Surfers Paradise: IceBar Entry Ticket and Drink: $32
  • Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $38

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $118
  • 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $164
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Best Sightseeing Tour : $132
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100
  • CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $105
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Cultural Night Tour: $80
  • Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $114
  • Fiji Adventure: Biausevu Waterfall & Dunes hiking Combo Tour!: $135
  • Fiji Island Cultural Experience with Lunch : $184

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gold Coast $5.23
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:

  • Tamborine Mountain Distillery Tour & Tasting: $17
  • Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
  • Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
  • Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
  • Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
  • Craft Your Own Spirit at Tamborine Mountain Distillery: $124
  • Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
  • Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
  • Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $168
  • Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $198
  • Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $959


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gold Coast and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Gold Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gold Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gold Coast 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Gold Coast.

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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gold Coast or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Gold Coast and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.