A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kota Kinabalu vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong?

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

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong? 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: Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong?

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu.

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

Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong?

Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong?

Wollongong has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Wollongong. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Wollongong in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wollongong averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.

Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wollongong in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Wollongongin July. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Wollongongin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Wollongong. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Wollongong in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Kota Kinabalu