A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wollongong vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wollongong or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Wollongong or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Wollongong or Yakushima?

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Wollongong and Yakushima, we can see that Wollongong 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. Even though Wollongong is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit Wollongong or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yakushima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wollongong or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Wollongong during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Wollongong is generally cooler than Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Wollongong average around 23°C (74°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wollongong usually gets less rain in January than Yakushimain July. Wollongong gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wollongong or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wollongong and Yakushima. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Wollongong is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wollongong averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Wollongong usually receives less rain than Yakushimain October. Wollongong gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wollongong or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wollongong as well as Yakushima. Many travelers come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Wollongong is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wollongong in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Wollongong usually gets less rain in July than Yakushimain January. Wollongong gets 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wollongong or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Wollongong are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wollongong in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In October, Wollongong is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Wollongong average around 17°C (63°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In October, Wollongong usually receives less rain than Yakushimain April. Wollongong gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Wollongong