A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Newcastle vs. Coffs Harbour for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour? 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.

Where Should I go: Newcastle or Coffs Harbour?

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

Which city is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Newcastle?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $93, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $138. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Newcastle and Coffs Harbour in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Newcastle $46
    Coffs Harbour $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Newcastle $92
    Coffs Harbour $128
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Coffs Harbour

Looking for a hotel in Newcastle or Coffs Harbour? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Newcastle


Hotels in Coffs Harbour


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Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Newcastle Hotel Prices and Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Newcastle $8.55
    Coffs Harbour $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast City Airport (BHD): $128
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle to Belfast Airport (BFS): $148
  • Newcastle Airport (NCL) Departure Private Transfer from Hotels: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Coffs Harbour?

Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Newcastle change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Newcastle $36
    Coffs Harbour $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.

  • Looking for a fun experience, hit the sweet spot with beer and pizza at Slice!: $73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Newcastle $16
    Coffs Harbour $42

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Small Group Tour: $136
  • Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $78
  • Hunter Coastal Adventure Tour by Boat from Newcastle: $78
  • Maitland's True Crime Tour: $25
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $27
  • Harbor and Coast 2.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $71
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $25

Typical Entertainment prices in Coffs Harbour

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surfing Museum (for 2)
    $7.31

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Coffs Harbour - Jetty by Bike Tour: $43
  • 1-Hour All Terrain Segway Tour: $57
  • Coastal Adventure: $116
  • Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $116

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Newcastle $10
    Coffs Harbour $8.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:

  • From Hunter Valley Brewery Tour with Lunch: $136

Sample the Local Flavors in Coffs Harbour

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Coffs Harbour:

  • Dangar Falls and Dorrigo National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $242


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


When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Newcastle during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Newcastle is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newcastle in January are around 22°C (72°F), and Coffs Harbour is about 23°C (74°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the summer, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 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 Newcastle. Newcastle usually gets less rain in January than Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.

In April, Newcastle is generally around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Temperatures in Newcastle average around 19°C (67°F), and Coffs Harbour stays around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Coffs Harbour.

Newcastle is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour in the winter. The temperature in Newcastle is usually 13°C (55°F) in July, and Coffs Harbour stays around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the winter, Newcastle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Newcastle usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Newcastle is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newcastle in October are around 18°C (64°F), and Coffs Harbour is about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In October, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Newcastle

Newcastle Coffs Harbour
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Mar 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Apr 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in) 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)


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Newcastle vs. Coffs Harbour Travel Comparison

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