A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Torquay vs. Picton for Beaches, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Torquay or Picton?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Torquay or Picton, 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 outdoorsy, trendy, and casual surf town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque, scenic, and quaint town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Torquay and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Torquay or Picton?

Both Picton and Torquay have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Torquay is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Picton is known for its food. Picton is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Torquay is popular for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere.

How is Torquay different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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 Picton. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Picton is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Picton has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. 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.

Is Torquay or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Torquay is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Torquay or Picton Better for Beaches?

Torquay is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Torquay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Torquay or Picton Better for Hiking?

Torquay and Picton are both places where visitors can find great 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.

Picton is a popular spot for hiking. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Torquay or Picton?

If you're looking to go shopping, Torquay and Picton both offer plenty of good 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 Picton to go shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Torquay or Picton Better for Families?

Picton 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, Picton is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

Torquay and Picton are both great 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.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Torquay or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Torquay is a good surf town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Torquay and Picton both offer good public transit to get you around.

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.

Picton has a few public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Torquay or Picton a more walkable city?

Torquay and Picton are great when it comes to walkability.

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.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Torquay?

How long in Torquay or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Torquay or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Torquay than Picton 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 Picton.

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

Couples should spend more time in Torquay than Picton. 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 Picton than Torquay 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 Picton.

One day in Torquay or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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.

In Picton, you'll find museums and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Picton?

Torquay is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Picton, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Picton has to offer.

Five days in Torquay or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Picton is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the trendy destination of Torquay. This surf town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Picton. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Picton. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Torquay and Picton, we can see that Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Torquay or Picton?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Torquay and Picton, 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 Torquay or Picton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Torquay or Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton and Torquay during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Picton in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Torquay is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Torquay in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Torquay. Torquay usually gets more rain in January than Picton. Torquay gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Torquay or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Torquay and Picton. Many visitors come to Torquay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In April, Torquay is generally much warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Torquay average around 22°C (72°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Torquay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Picton. Torquay gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Torquay or Picton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Torquay as well as Picton. Most visitors come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Picton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Torquay is much warmer than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Torquay averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Picton. Torquay usually gets less rain in July than Picton. Torquay gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Torquay or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Torquay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In the spring, Torquay is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Torquay in October average around 21°C (71°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Torquay usually receives less rain than Picton. Torquay gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Torquay