A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kamakura vs. Coffs Harbour for Beaches, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour? 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.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a fun, nature-filled, and lively vacation town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kamakura and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Kamakura. While Kamakura is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura is known for its museums and historical sights. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Coffs Harbour is popular for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also home to the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

How is Kamakura different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Coffs Harbour offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.

Is the Food Better in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Kamakura and Coffs Harbour can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Coffs Harbour has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Coffs Harbour are excellent when it comes to partying.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

Coffs Harbour has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Coffs Harbour is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Coffs Harbour. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beache.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Coffs Harbour. People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its historic old town. However, Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Coffs Harbour is a popular spot for hiking. There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is a very family-friendly destination. There are great beaches where kids can swim or learn to surf. There are also water parks, including the famous Big Banana Fun Park, as well as amusement parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy going dolphin or whale watching, or putting on a mask and going snorkeling.

Kamakura is a family-friendly coastal city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Coffs Harbour make for a excellent place to visit.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Coffs Harbour makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful city and a popular honeymoon destination. Couples will enjoy the impressive beaches and fun activities. There are places to explore nature as well as restaurants and fun evening activities. There's also great scuba diving and snorkeling at the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Coffs Harbour. There are a number of hostels around town as well as great water activities and a lively atmosphere, making this a nice stop off for backpackers.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its public transit.

Kamakura has some public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Public transit is generally limited in Coffs Harbour. This is a very car dependent area and public transit is very limit. While there are buses, the area is spread out and you need the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore.

Is Kamakura or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Kamakura is somewhat walkable. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable coastal city. Most visitors arrive with a car and you'll struggle to fully experience the area if you don't have your own form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Kamakura Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Both Kamakura and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Kamakura 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 Coffs Harbour.

One day in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Kamakura. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The vacation town of Coffs Harbour offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamakura. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Coffs Harbour is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Kamakura. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Coffs Harbour is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Coffs Harbour, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal city of Kamakura. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Coffs Harbour is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Coffs Harbour has to offer. This vacation town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Coffs Harbour?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

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

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Kamakura during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour in the summer. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin January. Kamakura gets 137 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 Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Coffs Harbour. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kamakura in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 20°C (67°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 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. Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Coffs Harbour. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

In January, Kamakura is generally much colder than Coffs Harbourin July. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 6°C (43°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the winter, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Kamakura is cooler than Coffs Harbour in the spring. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Kamakura gets 161 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. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Kamakura