A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Gold Coast for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Matsue or Gold Coast?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Gold Coast 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.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. With stunning beauty, Matsue attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Matsue travel costs.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a glamourous, vibrant, and colorful coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Gold Coast travel costs.

Matsue and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gold Coast than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Gold Coast is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Gold Coast is more touristy than Matsue and is popular for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Matsue different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Matsue and Gold Coast.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Gold Coast. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Gold Coast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Gold Coast can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Gold Coast has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Gold Coast is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Matsue is not a resort destination.

Gold Coast is a world class resort vacation destination. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gold Coast is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Gold Coast is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Gold Coast does not have a historic old town.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Gold Coast does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

Gold Coast is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Gold Coast is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast More Beautiful?

Matsue is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Gold Coast is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Matsue attracts visitors from all around. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

Gold Coast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Families?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular coastline to visit for families. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Gold Coast is a great coastline for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Gold Coast. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Matsue and Gold Coast.

Public transit in Matsue can get you to some places easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Gold Coast. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

Is Matsue or Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Matsue is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for its walkability.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Gold Coast is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Gold Coast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Both Matsue and Gold Coast have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Gold Coast than in Matsue. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 3-7 days is enough time in Gold Coast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast than Matsue 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Matsue or Gold Coast?

With museums and food around the historic town of Matsue, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. 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 Matsue or Gold Coast?

With food and shopping around the destination of Matsue, 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 town.

Gold Coast is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Matsue, a popular town, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gold Coast. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Gold Coast?

Matsue 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glamourous destination of Gold Coast. This coastline offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Gold Coast?

Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Gold Coast, 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 Matsue or Gold Coast?

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

Should I visit Matsue or Gold Coast in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Matsue is around the same temperature as Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin January. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun.

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Gold Coastin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Gold Coast. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Matsue is generally cooler than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Gold Coast in the Winter?

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

Matsue can be very cold during winter. Matsue is much colder than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin July. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Gold Coastin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Gold Coast in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Matsue is much colder than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Matsue