A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Torquay vs. Cromwell for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Torquay or Cromwell?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Torquay or Cromwell, 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.

Torquay

Torquay is a thriving, outdoorsy, and trendy surf town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Torquay and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Torquay or Cromwell?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Cromwell, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is better known for its beaches and impressive beauty, while Cromwell is more popular for its skiing. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach. Cromwell is well known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards.

How is Torquay different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Torquay is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Torquay is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Torquay or Cromwell?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Torquay and Cromwell.

Torquay offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

Is the Food Better in Torquay or Cromwell? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Torquay and Cromwell.

Torquay has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Torquay and Cromwell.

If you're looking for night time activities Torquay has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cromwell. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Torquay is very popular for the beache. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Torquay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Torquay and Cromwell are both places where visitors can find high quality hiking trails.

Many visitors go to Torquay for the hiking trails. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Cromwell is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Is the Shopping Better in Torquay or Cromwell?

If you're looking to go shopping, Torquay and Cromwell both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Torquay. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Many visitors go to Cromwell to go shopping. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Families?

Cromwell is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Cromwell is very family-friendly. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Torquay and Cromwell are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Torquay is a great surf town if you're traveling as a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Cromwell is a very popular place to visit for couples. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Torquay and Cromwell are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

Cromwell is a good surf town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

Is Torquay or Cromwell Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Torquay is a surf town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Torquay or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Torquay is a great surf town for its high level of walkability. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable surf town. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Torquay Worth Visiting? and Is Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Torquay?

How long in Torquay or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Torquay or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Torquay than Cromwell because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Torquay, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cromwell.

Families should spend more time in Cromwell than Torquay. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cromwell, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay than Cromwell 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 Torquay.

One day in Torquay or Cromwell?

The surf town of Torquay offers food and shopping. 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.

In Cromwell, you'll find shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Torquay or Cromwell?

Torquay is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this surf town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Torquay, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Cromwell, you'll find museums and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cromwell has to offer.

Five days in Torquay or Cromwell?

Torquay is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cromwell is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Torquay or Cromwell?

Torquay is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This surf town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cromwell. Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Cromwell. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Torquay and Cromwell, we can see that Torquay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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