A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Torquay for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok or Torquay?

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 Torquay. 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. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lombok travel costs.

Torquay

Torquay is a thriving, outdoorsy, and trendy surf town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Torquay is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Torquay travel costs.

Lombok and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Torquay, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Torquay is more popular for its small town charm. Lombok is more touristy than Torquay and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere.

How is Lombok different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lombok and Torquay.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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 Lombok or Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lombok 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.

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.

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 Lombok or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Lombok and Torquay.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. 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.

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 Lombok or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Lombok is great for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay is not a resort destination.

Lombok is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Torquay Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Lombok specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Lombok and Torquay both offer world-class 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 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.

Is Lombok or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Torquay, and they are great.

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.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Torquay?

Lombok is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Lombok or Torquay More Beautiful?

Lombok is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its scenery and 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.

Torquay offers plenty of beauty for visitors. There's a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and nice coastal walks.

Is Lombok or Torquay Better for Families?

Lombok is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Lombok or Torquay Better for Couples?

Lombok is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for couples.

Lombok has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Torquay is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Lombok or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for backpackers.

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.

Torquay is a good island to visit for backpackers. 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 Lombok or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Torquay 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 Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

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 Torquay a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lombok and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Torquay. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Torquay. 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 Torquay. 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 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 Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Torquay?

In Lombok, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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 Torquay?

In Lombok, 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Torquay is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Torquay?

Lombok is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lombok. In Lombok, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one week is probably not enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Torquay. This surf town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in 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 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay 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, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Torquay. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Torquayin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Lombok is May to September.

Should I visit Lombok or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Torquay because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lombok is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Torquayin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Torquay. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Lombok is a little warmer than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 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 Torquay and Lombok