A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Torquay for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Malang or Torquay?

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

Should I visit Malang or Torquay? 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.

Malang

Malang is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Malang travel costs.

Torquay

Torquay is a hip, thriving, and outdoorsy surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Torquay is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Torquay travel costs.

Malang and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malang or Torquay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Torquay. Although Malang and Torquay are popular destinations, Torquay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Torquay is very popular for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Malang attracts visitors for its food. Malang is famous for its many nearby natural attractions. Torquay is famous for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also well known for Bells Beach.

How is Malang different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Torquay?

Both Malang and Torquay have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Malang is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.

Torquay offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Malang or Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Malang is renowned 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.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Malang is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.

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 Malang or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Malang and Torquay.

Malang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.

If you're looking for night time activities Torquay has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Malang or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Torquay is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Malang is not a beach destination.

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.

Malang is not a beach destination.

Is Malang or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Malang. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.

Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Torquay?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Torquay and Malang.

Malang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Torquay. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Malang or Torquay More Beautiful?

Torquay is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Torquay is a gorgeous place to visit. There's a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and nice coastal walks.

Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Malang or Torquay Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Malang or Torquay.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Malang. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.

Torquay offers lots of family activities. 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 Malang or Torquay Better for Couples?

Torquay is well known for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Torquay frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.

Is Malang or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malang and Torquay are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Malang. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.

Torquay is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Malang or Torquay Better for Students?

Malang is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Torquay is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Malang. The university means that there's a large student population in town.

Torquay is not popular with students.

Is Malang or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Torquay is a popular place for its public transit. However, Malang is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Torquay, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.

Is Malang or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is well known for its walkability. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Malang is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Malang?

How long in Malang or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malang and Torquay. In our opinion, Torquay has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Torquay than Malang. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay than Malang 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 Torquay.

One day in Malang or Torquay?

In Malang, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Malang or Torquay?

In Malang, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malang has to offer.

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 Malang or Torquay?

Malang is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Malang or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Malang. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy 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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Malang and Torquay, we can see that Torquay is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malang 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 Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Malang.

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

Which is Bigger, Malang or Torquay?

Malang has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Torquay, 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.