Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Torquay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Torquay vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Torquay or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Torquay or Surfers Paradise, 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: Torquay or Surfers Paradise?
Torquay
Located on the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a seaside town of Victoria famous for its surfing and beaches. Surf town through and through, it is also the headquarters for the Quiksilver and Rip Curl surf gear companies, and home to the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world's longest running surf contest held on Bells Beach.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTorquay $86Surfers Paradise $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Torquay is $86, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $103. 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 Torquay and Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTorquay $39Surfers Paradise $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTorquay $78Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Torquay and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Torquay or Surfers Paradise? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Torquay $39Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $308
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $226
- Private Transfer Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast 4-6 Passengers: $170
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $147
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $105
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $88
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $49
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Torquay or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Torquay 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 dayTorquay $25Surfers Paradise $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Torquay $11Surfers Paradise $23
Tours and Activities in Torquay
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Torquay.
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $52
- Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $66
- Fraser Island West Coast BBQ Lunch Cruise from Hervey Bay Including Kayaking and Swimming: $79
- Great Sandy Marine Park, Turtle Discovery & Cultural Ecotour: $82
- Hervey Bay Fun Cruise: $39
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $85
- Milbi Sunset Cruise with Local Indigenous Guide: $56
- Sandy Straits Scenic & Wildlife Cruise: $56
- Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $85
- Sunset Twilight Cruise in Hervey Bay: $36
- Three-Quarter Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise: $111
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$77
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $71
- 1.5hr Jetski Tour with island stopover - SELF DRIVE - NO LICENCE NEEDED: $177
- 1hr JetSki Tour Gold Coast - No Licence Required - Self Drive - Surfers Paradise: $138
- 2-Hour Farmers Market Tour with Kayak: $47
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $256
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $150
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast : $98
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $58
- Bush Tucker and Crab Adventure Cruise: $49
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $52
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $65
- Glow Worms Private Tour - Nocturnal Rainforest Walk: $452
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTorquay $7.35Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Torquay and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Torquay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torquay 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise than you might in Torquay.
Which is Bigger, Torquay or Surfers Paradise?
Torquay is bigger, and its population is about 2.6 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the population of Torquay vs. Surfers Paradise, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Torquay or Surfers Paradise?
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 Torquay or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Torquay and Surfers Paradise.
In the summer, Torquay is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Torquay in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Torquay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Torquay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Surfers Paradise. Torquay gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryTorquay 26°C (78°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Torquay or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Torquay as well as Surfers Paradise.
In April, Torquay is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Daily temperatures in Torquay average around 22°C (72°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Torquay usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradise. Torquay gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilTorquay 22°C (72°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Torquay or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Torquay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Torquay is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Torquay averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In July, Torquay usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradise. Torquay gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyTorquay 15°C (59°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Torquay or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
Both Surfers Paradise and Torquay during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Torquay is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Torquay in October average around 21°C (71°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F).
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Torquay usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradise. Torquay gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberTorquay 21°C (71°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Torquay
| Torquay | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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