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

Should you visit Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Coffs Harbour, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a charming, traditional, and rural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a relaxing, fun, and nature-filled vacation town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Mashiko and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Coffs Harbour than Mashiko, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Coffs Harbour is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko is more popular for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is well known for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Coffs Harbour is well known for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". Also, Coffs Harbour is famous for the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

How is Mashiko different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Coffs Harbour and Mashiko.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Mashiko. There are a couple of museums around town that are focused on the local activities such as pottery. You can check out the Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum, the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, and the Entsuji Temple.

Coffs Harbour is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Coffs Harbour has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Mashiko offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Coffs Harbour has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Mashiko specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a couple of bars and pubs around town, but not a huge nightlife scene.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for its luxury resorts. However, Mashiko is not a resort destination.

Coffs Harbour is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Mashiko is not a resort destination.

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

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Mashiko is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Coffs Harbour to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Mashiko is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Coffs Harbour are among the best in 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.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for hiking. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Coffs Harbour for the hiking trails. 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Mashiko. There are three mountains in the area with hiking trails that let you experience the Japanese countryside and natural beauty. These mountains are Mt. Amamakisan, Mt.Mitsudoyasan, and Mt. Takadateyama.

Is the Shopping Better in Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

If you're looking to go shopping, Mashiko and Coffs Harbour both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mashiko. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

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

Coffs Harbour is an amazing family-friendly vacation town to visit. 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.

Mashiko is a very family-friendly place to visit. Pottery is the claim to fame in this small town, and kids will thoroughly enjoy taking a children's pottery class. Its the perfect way to immerse them in the local culture in a fun and hands-on way. Farm life, and fruit picking are also popular here.

Is Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

Mashiko and Coffs Harbour are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Mashiko is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming town with local farms, pottery, and sake. Many couples enjoy spending a few days soaking up the local atmosphere and enjoying the simple pleasures.

Coffs Harbour is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Coffs Harbour. 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.

Mashiko is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't venture to this community, but its seeped in quaint culture and small town atmosphere.

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

Mashiko 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.

Mashiko has some public transit options. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

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

Mashiko is very walkable. Many people choose to walk around town and the pottery area is about a 20 minute walk from Mashiko Station.

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 Mashiko Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

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

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

Even though Mashiko is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. 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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

Mashiko is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

Mashiko is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko and Coffs Harbour, 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.

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

Should I visit Mashiko or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Coffs Harbour. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mashiko is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mashiko in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Mashiko usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during summer. Mashiko gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun in the summer.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mashiko or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Coffs Harbour. Many travelers come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Mashiko is generally cooler than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 16°C (60°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the autumn, Mashiko often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin April. Mashiko gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mashiko usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

Both Coffs Harbour and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mashiko can get quite cold in the winter. Mashiko is much colder than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Mashiko usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during winter. Mashiko gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mashiko or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Mashiko during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mashiko for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Mashiko is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mashiko in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Mashiko often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin October. Mashiko gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets more rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Mashiko