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

Should you visit Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

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

Should I visit Surabaya 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.

Surabaya

Surabaya is a authentic, local, and undiscovered city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Surabaya travel costs.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a lively, relaxing, and fun vacation town. Coffs Harbour offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Coffs Harbour travel costs.

Surabaya and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Coffs Harbour than Surabaya. While Surabaya is larger than Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Surabaya is more popular for its big city activities. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Surabaya and is popular for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". Also, Coffs Harbour is famous for the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Surabaya is well known for its role in Indonesia's independence revolution.

How is Surabaya different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Coffs Harbour is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Coffs Harbour. 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.

While most people don't head to Surabaya specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You'll likely pass through town on your way somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out Suramadu Bridge, the House of Sampoerna, Cheng Hoo Mosque, Sanggar Agung Temple, and Ampel Mosque. It's also worth a visit to the Submarine Museum and the Heroes Monument.

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

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

Dining out in Coffs Harbour is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Surabaya. It's a port city, and the cuisine reflexs this. You'll find a mix of different flavors that combine Javanese, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian cuisines. Dishes include a lot of vegetables as well as tofu and tempeh. Many dishes are also sweet in flavor or incredibly spicy.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Surabaya has a few options to choose from. Like the rest of the city, the nightlife scene has a local vibe. There are night markets, fascinating neighborhoods, and some lively clubs and bars.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its resorts. However, Surabaya is not a resort destination.

Coffs Harbour is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Surabaya is not a resort destination.

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

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Surabaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Coffs Harbour. 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.

Surabaya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Surabaya is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Coffs Harbour. 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.

Many people head to Surabaya to enjoy the beach. You'll find a few beaches within a short drive of the city center. Some of the popular ones include Ria Kenjeran Beach, Bentar Beach, and Delegan Beach.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Surabaya 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.

Surabaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Coffs Harbour and Surabaya.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Surabaya. The city has a great mix of air-conditioned mega-malls and colorful street markets. Bratang Market has become a favorite but it's also worth checking out Tugu Pahlawan Market and Ampel Market.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Coffs Harbour. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour More Beautiful?

Coffs Harbour is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Coffs Harbour offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its beautiful coastline and nice mountain landscapes, there is plenty of beauty to explore. There are also nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries where you can immerse yourself in the natural environment.

Surabaya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Coffs Harbour is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

For families, Surabaya is not always the best place to visit. You'll like be passing through this city enroute to somewhere else, but if you have some time to kill, check out the Submarine Museum. You can also wander through the market area of Qubah or explore Chinatown.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for couples. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for romance.

Couples visit Coffs Harbour frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Surabaya is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are some sights an museums that you can visit while you're in town.

Is Surabaya or Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour is a great destination for backpackers. However, Surabaya is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Coffs Harbour is a very popular vacation town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Surabaya is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town but most backpackers don't spend more than a night in town.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Surabaya and Coffs Harbour.

Public transit is generally limited in Surabaya. There's a bus system, but it's mostly used by locals. There are two types of buses - normal buses and patas buses, which are express.

Public transit is mostly 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 Surabaya or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Surabaya is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Surabaya is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in Indonesia and it has the feel of a bunch of neighborhoods combined together.

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable city. 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 Surabaya Worth Visiting? and Is Coffs Harbour Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Surabaya?

How long in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

Both Surabaya and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour than in Surabaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Surabaya, and 3-7 days is enough time in Coffs Harbour.

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

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

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

Surabaya is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The vacation town of Coffs Harbour offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surabaya. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Coffs Harbour is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the undiscovered big city of Surabaya. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Coffs Harbour is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Coffs Harbour, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the city of Surabaya. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Coffs Harbour is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Coffs Harbour has to offer. This vacation town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Coffs Harbour?

Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya 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.