A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Rockhampton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Rockhampton?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Rockhampton? 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: Sandakan or Rockhampton?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Rockhampton?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rockhampton. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Rockhampton, 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 Sandakan or Rockhampton?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Rockhampton in the Summer?

Both Rockhampton and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.

In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Rockhampton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.

Rockhampton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Rockhamptonin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Rockhampton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Rockhamptonin April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Rockhampton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Rockhampton. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Rockhampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sandakan is much warmer than Rockhampton in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in July.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Rockhamptonin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Rockhampton in the Spring?

Both Rockhampton and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rockhampton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Sandakan is a little warmer than Rockhampton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 23°C (74°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rockhampton and Sandakan