A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Coffs Harbour for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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.

Phuket

Phuket is a stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a lively, relaxing, and fun vacation town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phuket and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Phuket. While Phuket is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, and shopping, while Phuket attracts visitors for its nightlife and resorts. Phuket is more touristy than Coffs Harbour and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Coffs Harbour is famous for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also well known for the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

How is Phuket different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Coffs Harbour is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Coffs Harbour offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Coffs Harbour? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Coffs Harbour. 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.

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is very popular for nightlife. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Phuket is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

The people in Coffs Harbour know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Phuket is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Coffs Harbour is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

There are plenty of resorts in Coffs Harbour to choose from. 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.

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

You'll find high quality snorkeling or scuba diving in both Phuket and Coffs Harbour.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Coffs Harbour is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Both Phuket and Coffs Harbour have first-rate beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Coffs Harbour is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

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

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Coffs Harbour is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is an amazing vacation town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-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.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Coffs Harbour is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Coffs Harbour is a great vacation town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

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

Phuket is a resort island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its public transit.

Phuket has some public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Phuket is somewhat walkable. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable resort island. 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 Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Both Phuket and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Coffs Harbour has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Coffs Harbour than Phuket. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Phuket. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour than Phuket 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the activity-filled destination of Phuket. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Coffs Harbour. 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Coffs Harbour is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of Phuket. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Coffs Harbour. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the resort island of Phuket. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Coffs Harbour. This vacation town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, 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 Phuket and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket 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 Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 Phuket.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Coffs Harbour. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin January. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin January. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Phuket is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Should I visit Phuket or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

Both Coffs Harbour and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Coffs Harbourin October. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Phuket