A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Wollongong for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Ise or Wollongong?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ise and Wollongong can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Ise

Ise is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and overlooked city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches. See Ise travel costs.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a vibrant, student-friendly, and trendy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wollongong travel costs.

Ise and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ise or Wollongong?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wollongong than Ise, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ise is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. Wollongong is popular for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also home to Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Ise different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ise or Wollongong?

Wollongong is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ise. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

Is the Food Better in Ise or Wollongong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ise and Wollongong offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Ise. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

Wollongong has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

Wollongong is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Wollongong is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is well known for the beach. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches at Wollongong attract visitors from all over. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Ise offers a nice beach destination. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Wollongong is a coastal city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Wollongong?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wollongong and Ise.

Ise offers some nice shopping areas. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Wollongong has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Families?

Wollongong is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Wollongong is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Ise offers lots of family activities. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Couples?

Wollongong is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Wollongong frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Ise is a good city for couples to visit. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ise and Wollongong are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ise is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

Plenty of backpackers visit Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is a coastal city with good options for students. However, Ise is not popular with students.

Wollongong is popular with students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Ise is not popular with students.

Is Ise or Wollongong Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wollongong is well known for its public transit. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Wollongong has some very good public transit options. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

While Ise offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

Is Ise or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Wollongong is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Wollongong is a very walkable coastal city. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

Ise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

For even more information, also check out Is Ise Worth Visiting? and Is Wollongong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Ise?

How long in Ise or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Ise or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wollongong due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ise, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wollongong.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wollongong than Ise 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 Wollongong.

One day in Ise or Wollongong?

With museums and food around the authentic city of Ise, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ise, one day is sufficent for most.

With nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Wollongong, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Ise or Wollongong?

With food and shopping around the destination of Ise, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many people visit Wollongong for a weekend. With food and shopping around the student-friendly coastal city of Wollongong, there's plenty to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Ise or Wollongong?

Ise, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The destination of Wollongong offers shopping and museums. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Ise or Wollongong?

Ise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wollongong, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ise and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Ise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ise is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ise 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Ise.

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

Which is Bigger, Ise or Wollongong?

Wollongong has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Wollongong, 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 Ise or Wollongong?

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 Ise has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Ise or Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Ise during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ise is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ise in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Ise often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin January. Ise gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. Ise usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Ise gets 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ise or Wollongong in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ise and Wollongong. Many visitors come to Ise in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

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

Ise usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during autumn. Ise gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ise usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Ise gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ise or Wollongong in the Winter?

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

Ise can be very cold during winter. Ise is much colder than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the winter, Ise often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Ise gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

Ise usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Wollongongin July. Ise gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ise or Wollongong in the Spring?

Both Wollongong and Ise are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Ise because of the beaches. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

In the spring, Ise is cooler than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ise in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Ise usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during spring. Ise gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Ise. In April, Ise usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Ise gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Ise