A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Noosa Heads for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lombok or Noosa Heads?

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 Lombok and Noosa Heads. 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.

Lombok

Lombok is a cultural, stunning, and peaceful island. Many visitors also come to Lombok because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Lombok travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a relaxed, peaceful, and scenic coastal town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of Noosa Heads is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Lombok and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Noosa Heads, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is better known for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Noosa Heads is more popular for its small town charm. Lombok is well known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Noosa Heads is well known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture.

How is Lombok different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Lombok is a island with good options for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Noosa Heads? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lombok and Noosa Heads both to be very good destinations.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dining out in Noosa Heads is an experience not to be missed. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Lombok and Noosa Heads.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Noosa Heads. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

In Lombok, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Lombok is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Lombok and Noosa Heads both offer fantastic beaches.

Lombok offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Noosa Heads. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Noosa Heads, and they are very good.

Many visitors go to Lombok for the hiking trails. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Noosa Heads is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Lombok is a great island for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Many visitors go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Lombok because of it's amazing beauty. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

With stunning beauty, Noosa Heads attracts visitors from all around. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Both Lombok and Noosa Heads are very good family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Noosa Heads is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for couples.

Lombok is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Noosa Heads is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Noosa Heads is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Noosa Heads is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Noosa Heads offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Is Lombok or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads is great for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Noosa Heads is a very walkable coastal town. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Lombok or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lombok due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Noosa Heads 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 Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the peaceful island of Lombok. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Noosa Heads might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Lombok. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the laid back island of Lombok. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Noosa Heads. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lombok. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. With so much to do, one week is probably not enough time to see everything.

Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Noosa Heads?

Noosa Heads has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Noosa Heads in the Summer?

Both Noosa Heads and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lombok is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Lombok is May to September.

Should I visit Lombok or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

Both Noosa Heads and Lombok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lombok. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Should I visit Lombok or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin July. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Noosa Heads. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Lombok is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to September in Lombok is the dry season. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Lombok