A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hiroshima vs. Wollongong for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Hiroshima or Wollongong?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hiroshima and Wollongong 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.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a meaningful, park-filled, and memorable city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a trendy, vibrant, and student-friendly coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hiroshima and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wollongong than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Wollongong, Wollongong has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wollongong is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Hiroshima is more popular for its museums and shopping. Hiroshima is well known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation. Wollongong is well known for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. Also, Wollongong is famous for Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Hiroshima different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Hiroshima is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Hiroshima has many famous sights for visitors. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Many visitors head to Wollongong specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

Is the Food Better in Hiroshima or Wollongong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Hiroshima and Wollongong can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Wollongong. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

Wollongong is a great coastal city for nightlife. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Wollongong has something for everybody. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is a great coastal city for its beaches. However, Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wollongong attract visitors from all over. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Wollongong is a coastal city with good options for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Hiroshima is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Families?

Wollongong is a great coastal city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Wollongong is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Couples?

Wollongong is a great coastal city for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Wollongong is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hiroshima and Wollongong are notable places to visit.

Hiroshima is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Plenty of backpackers visit Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is a coastal city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Hiroshima is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wollongong. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Hiroshima is not popular with students.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima and Wollongong both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Hiroshima can move around easily with public transportation. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

The public transit in Wollongong can get you around easily. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

Is Hiroshima or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Hiroshima and Wollongong are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

Wollongong is a very walkable city. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

For even more information, also check out Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Wollongong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Hiroshima or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wollongong due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hiroshima, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wollongong.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wollongong than Hiroshima 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 Wollongong.

One day in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

With museums and nightlife around the meaningful city of Hiroshima, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Wollongong. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Hiroshima, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Wollongong. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Hiroshima, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the student-friendly coastal city of Wollongong. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Hiroshima is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

Wollongong is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Hiroshima and Wollongong, 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 Hiroshima or Wollongong?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hiroshima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hiroshima or Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hiroshima is generally a little warmer than Wollongongin January. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 26°C (79°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Hiroshima usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Hiroshima gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. In July, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Hiroshima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Hiroshima is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

In the autumn, Hiroshima often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongongin April. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Wollongong. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hiroshima can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hiroshima is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hiroshima in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Wollongong averages at about 10°C (50°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Hiroshima usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Hiroshima gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hiroshima usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wollongongin July. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Wollongong. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

In April, Hiroshima is generally cooler than Wollongongin October. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 14°C (56°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the spring, Hiroshima often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin October. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Hiroshima