A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Torquay vs. Te Anau for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Torquay or Te Anau?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Torquay or Te Anau, 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. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Torquay is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Torquay travel costs.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a breathtaking, stunning, and pristine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come to Te Anau because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and hiking. See Te Anau travel costs.

Torquay and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Torquay or Te Anau?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Te Anau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Te Anau is more popular for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Te Anau is more touristy than Torquay and is known for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach.

How is Torquay different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Te Anau 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 Te Anau?

Torquay is a surf town with good options for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

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

Te Anau 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.

Te Anau has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

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 Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Torquay is a surf town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Torquay or Te Anau Better for Beaches?

Torquay is renowned for the beach. However, Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Is Torquay or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

Te Anau is renowned for hiking. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Te Anau draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

Torquay is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Torquay or Te Anau?

Torquay is a surf town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

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

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Torquay or Te Anau More Beautiful?

Te Anau is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Te Anau because of it's amazing beauty. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, world class national parks, and spectacular views.

Torquay offers plenty of beauty for visitors. There's a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and nice coastal walks.

Is Torquay or Te Anau Better for Families?

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

Te Anau is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

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 Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for couples.

Te Anau has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

Torquay is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Torquay or Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Te Anau 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 Te Anau. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

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 Te Anau 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, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Torquay has some public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Torquay or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Torquay is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options 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.

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Torquay?

How long in Torquay or Te Anau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Torquay and Te Anau. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Torquay, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.

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

One day in Torquay or Te Anau?

In Torquay, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This surf town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Te Anau is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Te Anau?

In Torquay, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Torquay has to offer.

Te Anau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Te Anau has to offer.

Five days in Torquay or Te Anau?

Torquay 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.

Te Anau 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 Te Anau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Torquay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Te Anau. Since Te Anau is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 10-Day Tours in Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 Te Anau, we can see that Te Anau 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 Te Anau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Torquay or Te Anau?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Torquay and Te Anau, 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.