A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Cairns for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Matsue or Cairns?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Cairns can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Cairns

Cairns is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and tropical city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Matsue and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Cairns?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cairns. Although Matsue and Cairns are both popular with visitors, Cairns has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cairns is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Matsue is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Cairns is more touristy than Matsue and is popular for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Matsue different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Cairns?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Matsue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Cairns can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Cairns has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Cairns is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is a great destination for its resorts. However, Matsue is not a resort destination.

In Cairns, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cairns is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Cairns is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Cairns does not have a historic old town.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Cairns does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Around Cairns visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Cairns?

Cairns is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Cairns is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cairns is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Couples?

Cairns is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Cairns. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Matsue or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Matsue can get you to most places easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in Cairns, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Matsue or Cairns a more walkable city?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Cairns?

In either Matsue or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Matsue because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns than Matsue 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 Cairns.

One day in Matsue or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Matsue. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cairns. 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 Matsue or Cairns?

Matsue 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.

Cairns is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairns. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Cairns?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the pretty destination of Matsue. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the idyllic destination of Cairns. This city 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Matsue is in Asia and Cairns 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 Matsue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Matsue 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns than you might in Matsue.

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Cairns?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Cairns, 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 Matsue or Cairns?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Matsue has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Matsue or Cairns in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Cairns. Many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Matsue is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.

Should I visit Matsue or Cairns in the Autumn?

Both Cairns and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Matsue is generally much colder than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.

Should I visit Matsue or Cairns in the Winter?

Both Cairns and Matsue during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. Matsue is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Cairns in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Cairns. The spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In the spring, Matsue is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Matsue