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

Should you visit Mashiko or Torquay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mashiko or Torquay, 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 rural, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking.

Torquay

Torquay is a laid back, hip, and thriving surf town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Mashiko and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mashiko or Torquay?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Torquay. Although Mashiko and Torquay are both popular with visitors, Torquay has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Torquay is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mashiko is known for its shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Mashiko is more touristy than Torquay and is known for its local sake, rural farms, and longstanding tradition in pottery making. Torquay is popular for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also home to Bells Beach.

How is Mashiko different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Torquay 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.

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

Foodies will find both Mashiko and Torquay both to be good destinations.

Mashiko is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around town that serve udon, soba, and other Japanese favorites that use local ingredients.

Torquay offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Mashiko or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Torquay is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Mashiko is not known for nightlife.

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.

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 Torquay Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Torquay are among the best in the world. 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.

Mashiko is not a beach destination.

Is Mashiko or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is a great surf town for hiking. Also, Mashiko is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Torquay for the hiking trails. 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.

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 Torquay?

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

Mashiko is well-known for its shopping. Local pottery is the main purchase in town, and there are many shops and local vendors who sell locally made pottery.

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

Is Mashiko or Torquay Better for Families?

Mashiko 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, Mashiko is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Mashiko or Torquay Better for Couples?

Mashiko and Torquay are both superb 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.

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 Mashiko or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Torquay is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mashiko is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Torquay. 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.

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

Mashiko and Torquay both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Mashiko offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local trains that stop by the strawberry picking farms. There are also local buses in the area.

Torquay has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Mashiko or Torquay a more walkable city?

Mashiko and Torquay are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Mashiko?

How long in Mashiko or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mashiko and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Torquay than in Mashiko. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Mashiko, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

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

Couples should spend more time in Torquay than Mashiko. 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 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 Torquay.

One day in Mashiko or Torquay?

Mashiko is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Torquay, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This surf 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 Torquay?

Mashiko might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mashiko has to offer.

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

Five days in Mashiko or Torquay?

Mashiko 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.

Torquay is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A week in Mashiko or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mashiko. Since Mashiko is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mashiko and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 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 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 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 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 Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mashiko or Torquay?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Mashiko 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.

When is the best time to visit Mashiko or Torquay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay and Mashiko are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In July, Mashiko is generally around the same temperature as Torquayin January. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 24°C (75°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Torquay. It's quite rainy in Mashiko. In July, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Torquayin January. Mashiko gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mashiko or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay and Mashiko during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Mashiko is cooler than Torquay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mashiko averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. Mashiko usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Mashiko gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mashiko or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mashiko and Torquay. Many travelers come to Mashiko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Torquay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mashiko. In the winter, Mashiko is much colder than Torquay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mashiko in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Torquay averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Mashiko usually receives less rain than Torquayin July. Mashiko gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mashiko or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mashiko as well as Torquay. Many visitors come to Mashiko in the spring for the small town charm. Additionally, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Mashiko is generally much colder than Torquayin October. Daily temperatures in Mashiko average around 12°C (53°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mashiko usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Mashiko gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Mashiko