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

Should you visit Kamakura or Torquay?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Torquay? 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 laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Torquay

Torquay is a hip, thriving, and outdoorsy surf town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Kamakura and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Torquay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Kamakura and Torquay are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Torquay attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Torquay is famous for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere.

How is Kamakura different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Torquay 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 Torquay?

Kamakura is great for its historical sights. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kamakura can be an interesting and educational experience. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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 Kamakura or Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura 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.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Kamakura or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Kamakura for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Kamakura or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Torquay 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 Torquay. 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.

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 Torquay Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay 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.

Torquay is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

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 Torquay?

Both Kamakura and Torquay are nice shopping destinations.

Kamakura is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Torquay. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Kamakura or Torquay Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kamakura or Torquay.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly coastal city. 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 Kamakura or Torquay Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Torquay make for a very good 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.

Torquay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Kamakura or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kamakura and Torquay are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kamakura. 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.

Torquay is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Kamakura or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kamakura and Torquay offer nice public transit options.

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

Torquay has some public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Kamakura or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kamakura and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Torquay than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

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

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

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

One day in Kamakura or Torquay?

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

The surf town of Torquay offers food and shopping. 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 Torquay?

In Kamakura, 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 Kamakura has to offer.

Torquay is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this surf town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Torquay, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Torquay?

Kamakura 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.

Torquay is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Torquay?

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

Torquay is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This surf 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Torquay?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura 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 Kamakura 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 Kamakura has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kamakura or Torquay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Torquay. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Torquay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Torquay averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Torquay. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Torquayin January. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kamakura is generally cooler than Torquayin April. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamakura or Torquay in the Winter?

Both Torquay and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Torquay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kamakura is much colder than Torquay in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Kamakura usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Torquay. The spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the spring, Kamakura is much colder than Torquay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Torquay averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Kamakura