A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Torquay for Beaches, Food, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Ise or Torquay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ise and Torquay 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.

Ise

Ise is a overlooked, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Ise and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less attractive beach
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Ise or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Ise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Ise is more popular for its food. Ise is well known for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach.

How is Ise different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ise or Torquay?

Ise
Torquay

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Ise and Torquay.

Ise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.


Is the Food Better in Ise or Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ise
Torquay

Ise is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Ise or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Ise
Torquay

Torquay is a surf town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Torquay has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Is Ise or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Ise
Torquay

Torquay is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Torquay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Ise offers a nice beach destination. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.


Is Ise or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Ise
Torquay

Torquay is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Torquay?

Ise
Torquay

Shopping is a popular activity in both Torquay and Ise.

Ise offers some nice shopping areas. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Torquay has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Ise or Torquay Better for Families?

Ise
Torquay

Both Ise and Torquay are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ise. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Torquay offers lots of family activities. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.


Is Ise or Torquay Better for Couples?

Ise
Torquay

Torquay is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Torquay frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Ise is a good city for couples to visit. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Is Ise or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ise
Torquay

Ise and Torquay are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ise is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

Plenty of backpackers visit Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

Is Ise or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ise
Torquay

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ise and Torquay.

You'll find some public transit in Ise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

While Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.


Is Ise or Torquay a more walkable city?

Ise
Torquay

Torquay is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

Ise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

For even more information, also check out Is Ise Worth Visiting? and Is Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Ise?

How long in Ise or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ise and Torquay. In our opinion, Torquay has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Torquay than Ise. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ise, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay than Ise 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 Torquay.


  • How many days in Ise or Torquay? Ideal Length of Stay
    Ise 1-3 
    Torquay 2-3

One day in Ise or Torquay?

In Ise, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With nightlife and food around the casual destination of Torquay, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Ise or Torquay?

In Ise, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ise has to offer.

Many people visit Torquay for a weekend. With food and shopping around the casual surf town of Torquay, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.


Five days in Ise or Torquay?

Ise is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Torquay offers shopping and museums. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

A week in Ise or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ise. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ise. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Torquay, a popular surf town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Torquay or Ise?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ise is $89, while the average daily cost in Torquay is $86. 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 Ise and Torquay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ise $42
    Torquay $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ise $84
    Torquay $78
Compare Hotels in Ise and Torquay

Looking for a hotel in Ise or Torquay? 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 Ise


Hotels in Torquay


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: Ise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ise $43
    Torquay $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Ise or Torquay?

Prices for flights to both Torquay and Ise 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
    Ise $24
    Torquay $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ise $5.83
    Torquay $11

Tours and Activities in Ise

Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ise Grand Shrine Private Guided Tour: $88
  • Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $39
  • Shirataki Takigyo Waterfall Meditation Experience in Toba: $29

Tours and Activities in Torquay

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

  • Milbi Sunset Cruise with Champagne and Prawns: $52
  • Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $73
  • Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure: $83
  • Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $92
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) West Coast Half Day Cruise from Hervey Bay: $93
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $94
  • Three-Quarter Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ise $4.52
    Torquay $7.42


When comparing the travel costs between Ise and Torquay, we can see that Ise 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. Even though Ise is in Asia and Torquay is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Ise or Torquay?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Torquay, 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 Ise or Torquay?

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

Should I visit Ise or Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay and Ise during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ise is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. Ise usually gets more rain in July than Torquayin January. Ise gets 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Ise 26°C (79°F) 
    Torquay 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Ise or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ise and Torquay. The autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the autumn, Ise is cooler than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ise in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ise usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Ise gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Ise 17°C (63°F) 
    Torquay 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Ise or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ise as well as Torquay. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. In January, Ise is generally much colder than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Ise average around 5°C (40°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Ise usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Ise gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Ise 5°C (40°F) 
    Torquay 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Ise or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Ise are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ise for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Ise is much colder than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Ise. In April, Ise usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Ise gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Ise 13°C (56°F) 
    Torquay 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Torquay and Ise

Ise Torquay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 219 mm (8.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)


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