A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Gold Coast for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Lombok or Gold Coast?

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 Lombok and Gold Coast. 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a cultural, stunning, and peaceful island. Many visitors also come to Lombok because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Lombok travel costs.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a vibrant, colorful, and high energy coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Gold Coast travel costs.

Lombok and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Gold Coast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gold Coast. Although Lombok and Gold Coast are both popular with visitors, Gold Coast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gold Coast is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, and big city activities, while Lombok is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Gold Coast is more touristy than Lombok and is known for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Lombok is popular for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture.

How is Lombok different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast is great for its historical sights. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Gold Coast. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lombok. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Gold Coast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lombok and Gold Coast both to be superb destinations.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dining out in Gold Coast is an experience not to be missed. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

Gold Coast is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

People head to Gold Coast just to party. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Lombok. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Gold Coast for its luxury resorts. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Lombok is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Lombok a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Gold Coast. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Lombok and Gold Coast both offer amazing beaches.

Lombok offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Gold Coast. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Gold Coast, and they are superb.

Many visitors go to Lombok for the hiking trails. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Gold Coast is a popular spot for hiking. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Gold Coast?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lombok and Gold Coast both offer plenty of superb spots.

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Gold Coast. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast More Beautiful?

Lombok is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Gold Coast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Lombok because of it's amazing beauty. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Gold Coast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Families?

Gold Coast is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Gold Coast is very family-friendly. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

Lombok is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Lombok and Gold Coast both amazing destinations for a couple.

Lombok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Gold Coast makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Lombok and Gold Coast are amazing places to visit.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Gold Coast is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gold Coast is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Gold Coast can get you around easily. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Gold Coast is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Gold Coast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Gold Coast?

Both Lombok and Gold Coast have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Gold Coast. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 3-7 days is enough time in Gold Coast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast than Lombok 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Lombok or Gold Coast?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the peaceful island of Lombok, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Gold Coast?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Lombok, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Gold Coast is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Gold Coast?

Lombok, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gold Coast. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Gold Coast?

Lombok is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glamourous destination of Gold Coast. This coastline offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Gold Coast in the Summer?

Both Gold Coast and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lombok is around the same temperature as Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Lombok is May to September.

Should I visit Lombok or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

Both Gold Coast and Lombok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Lombok is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Gold Coastin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Gold Coast in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lombok is much warmer than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. Lombok usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Gold Coast in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Gold Coast. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Lombok is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Lombok usually gets less rain in April than Gold Coastin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Lombok