A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Newcastle for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Lombok or Newcastle?

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 Newcastle. 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 stunning, peaceful, and laid back island. You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Lombok travel costs.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Newcastle travel costs.

Lombok and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Newcastle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Newcastle. Although Lombok and Newcastle are both popular with visitors, Newcastle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Newcastle is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities, while Lombok is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lombok is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Newcastle is popular for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. It is also home to the Bathers Way.

How is Lombok different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Newcastle 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 Newcastle. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

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 Newcastle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lombok and Newcastle 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 Newcastle is an experience not to be missed. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Newcastle for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

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 Newcastle Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Newcastle is not a resort destination.

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.

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Lombok is terrific for the beach. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Lombok. 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.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

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

Lombok is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Newcastle?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lombok and Newcastle 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 Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

Is Lombok or Newcastle More Beautiful?

Lombok is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Families?

Lombok is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly island. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Lombok is terrific for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Lombok makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

Is Lombok or Newcastle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is terrific for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lombok is a very popular island to visit 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.

Newcastle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

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

While Newcastle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

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 Newcastle a more walkable city?

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

Newcastle is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city 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 Newcastle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Lombok or Newcastle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lombok due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-4 days is enough time in Newcastle.

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

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

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

One day in Lombok or Newcastle?

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Lombok. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Newcastle. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Newcastle?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the peaceful destination of Lombok. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Newcastle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Newcastle?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the laid back island of Lombok. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Newcastle?

Lombok is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one week exploring. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy destination of Newcastle. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle and Lombok during the summer 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 travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lombok is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Newcastle averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Newcastlein January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Newcastle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Newcastle 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 Newcastlein April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Newcastlein April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Newcastle. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lombok is much warmer than Newcastle in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein July. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.

Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Newcastlein July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Newcastle in the Spring?

Both Newcastle and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Lombok is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

In April, Lombok usually receives more rain than Newcastlein October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Lombok is May to September. The rainy season in Lombok is November to April.

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Lombok