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

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Torquay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao is a undiscovered, secluded, and remote island. The beauty of Koh Tarutao is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches and hiking. See Koh Tarutao travel costs.

Torquay

Torquay is a laid back, hip, and thriving surf town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Torquay offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Torquay travel costs.

Koh Tarutao and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Torquay. Although Koh Tarutao and Torquay are both popular with visitors, Torquay has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Torquay is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Koh Tarutao is known for its resorts and impressive beauty. Torquay is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also home to Bells Beach. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Torquay is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Torquay. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

Koh Tarutao offers a few options for museum-goers. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.

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

Torquay is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Torquay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Torquay is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Koh Tarutao is mediocre for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay is not a resort destination.

There isn't the widest selection of resorts in Koh Tarutao, but you'll find a few options to choose from. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao and Torquay both offer world-class beaches.

Koh Tarutao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Torquay. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koh Tarutao and Torquay, and they are great.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Torquay. 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 Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Torquay is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Torquay has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay More Beautiful?

Koh Tarutao is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Koh Tarutao is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Beautiful undeveloped beaches and stunning natural environments make this a truly unique destination.

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

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Families?

Both Koh Tarutao and Torquay are good family-friendly destinations.

Koh Tarutao is a family-friendly island. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Torquay. 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 Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao and Torquay both great destinations for a couple.

Koh Tarutao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.

Couples visit Torquay frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tarutao and Torquay are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Torquay. 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 Koh Tarutao or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Torquay is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tarutao 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 generally limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.

Is Koh Tarutao or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Torquay is a very walkable destination. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

Koh Tarutao is generally not very walkable. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Tarutao and Torquay. In our opinion, Torquay has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Torquay than Koh Tarutao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Torquay than Koh Tarutao 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 Torquay.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back surf town of Torquay. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

In Koh Tarutao, you'll find . 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 Koh Tarutao has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Torquay. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This surf town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Koh Tarutao 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.

The trendy surf town of Torquay offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tarutao. Many people enjoy the when visiting Koh Tarutao. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Torquay. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Torquay, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Tarutao is in Asia and Torquay 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 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 Koh Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao than you might in Torquay.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay?

Torquay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Torquayin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Torquay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Torquayin January. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Torquay. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Torquay because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Torquay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay in the Winter?

Both Torquay and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the winter, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Torquay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Torquay averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Torquayin July. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Koh Tarutao during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Torquayin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Koh Tarutao