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

Should you visit Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koyasan and Coffs Harbour. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Koyasan is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums. See Koyasan travel costs.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a lively, relaxing, and fun vacation town. Coffs Harbour is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Coffs Harbour travel costs.

Koyasan and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Coffs Harbour. Although Koyasan and Coffs Harbour are popular destinations, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Koyasan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and small town charm. Koyasan is famous for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Coffs Harbour is famous for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also well known for the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

How is Koyasan different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Koyasan 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 Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

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 Koyasan or Coffs Harbour? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Coffs Harbour. 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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Coffs Harbour know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Coffs Harbour to choose from. 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.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

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

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Coffs Harbour offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Coffs Harbour does not have a historic old town.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Coffs Harbour. 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.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Is the Shopping Better in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Coffs Harbour is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour More Beautiful?

Koyasan and Coffs Harbour are somewhat similar when it comes to the nice scenery.

Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Coffs Harbour offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its beautiful coastline and nice mountain landscapes, there is plenty of beauty to explore. There are also nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries where you can immerse yourself in the natural environment.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is very family-friendly. 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

Koyasan and Coffs Harbour both very good destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Koyasan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

Coffs Harbour is a great town if you're traveling as 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 Koyasan or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

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

Koyasan has some public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

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 Koyasan or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Koyasan is very walkable. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable town. 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 Koyasan Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Koyasan?

How long in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Both Koyasan 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 Koyasan. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Koyasan, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

Families should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Koyasan. 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 Koyasan. 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 Koyasan 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 Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

In Coffs Harbour, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This vacation town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koyasan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

In Coffs Harbour, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Coffs Harbour has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Koyasan or Coffs Harbour?

Koyasan is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Coffs Harbour. In Coffs Harbour, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Koyasan 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 Koyasan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Koyasan or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Coffs Harbour. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koyasan is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin January. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the summer, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin January. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan usually gets less rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during autumn. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Koyasan. In October, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koyasan or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

Both Coffs Harbour and Koyasan during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Koyasan is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koyasan in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Koyasan usually gets less rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Coffs Harbour. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Koyasan is generally cooler than Coffs Harbourin October. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 15°C (59°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koyasan usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 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 Koyasan