Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Surfers Paradise vs. Coffs Harbour for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise 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.
Where Should I go: Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour?
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $106Coffs Harbour $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $106, 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Surfers Paradise and Coffs Harbour in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $67Coffs Harbour $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $134Coffs Harbour $128
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Coffs Harbour
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise 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.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $11Coffs Harbour $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30
- Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177
- Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour?
Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour and Surfers Paradise 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
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Food Meals for one daySurfers Paradise $27Coffs Harbour $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner: $40
- Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast: $70
- Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $24Coffs Harbour $42
Typical Entertainment prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
- Aquaduck Secrets, Scandals and Sunset Tour: $47
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast: $160
- Byron Bay and the Crystal Castle Day Tour from Gold Coast: $97
- Full Day Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $126
- Full-Day Moreton Island 4x4 Sightseeing Tour: $259
- Glow Worms Private Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk: $466
- Glow Worms Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk - Small Group: $78
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $20
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $21
- Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours: $131
- Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18
Typical Entertainment prices in Coffs Harbour
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surfing Museum (for 2)$7.27
Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour
For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Coastal Adventure: $116
- Coffs Harbour - Jetty by Bike Tour: $43
- 1-Hour All Terrain Segway Tour: $57
- Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $11Coffs Harbour $8.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:
- Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain: $119
- Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour: $154
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 Surfers Paradise and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.
When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour in the Summer?
Both Coffs Harbour and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surfers Paradise in January are around 25°C (77°F), and Coffs Harbour is about 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually receives more sunshine than Coffs Harbour during summer. Surfers Paradise gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In January, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySurfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?
Both Coffs Harbour and Surfers Paradise during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 22°C (71°F), and Coffs Harbour stays around 20°C (67°F).
In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Surfers Paradise often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 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 Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSurfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Coffs Harbour.
Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 15°C (59°F) in July, and Coffs Harbour stays around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. Surfers Paradise usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during winter. Surfers Paradise gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySurfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Coffs Harbour.
In the spring, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surfers Paradise in October are around 21°C (69°F), and Coffs Harbour is about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In the spring, Surfers Paradise often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Coffs Harbour. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSurfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Surfers Paradise
| Surfers Paradise | Coffs Harbour | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 215 mm (8.5 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
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