A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Torquay for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Matsue or Torquay?

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 Torquay 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 historic, quiet, and peaceful town. The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Matsue travel costs.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Torquay is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Torquay travel costs.

Matsue and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Torquay than Matsue, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Torquay is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Matsue is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Matsue is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Also, Torquay is famous for Bells Beach.

How is Matsue different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Torquay 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 Torquay?

Matsue is great for its historical sights. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Matsue can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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.

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

Matsue is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Matsue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. 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.

Is Matsue or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Torquay is a surf town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Torquay has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

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 Torquay Better for Beaches?

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

Torquay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Torquay Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. 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.

Torquay does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay 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 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.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Torquay?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Torquay and Matsue.

Matsue offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

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

Is Matsue or Torquay More Beautiful?

Matsue 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 Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

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

Is Matsue or Torquay Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Torquay are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Matsue. 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.

Torquay offers lots of family activities. 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 Matsue or Torquay Better for Couples?

Torquay is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

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 Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Matsue and Torquay are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of backpackers 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 Matsue or Torquay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its public transit.

Matsue has some very good public transit options. 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.

Torquay has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Matsue or Torquay a more walkable city?

Matsue and Torquay both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Matsue is a very walkable town. 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.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Torquay?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Torquay than Matsue. 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 Matsue than Torquay 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 Matsue.

One day in Matsue or Torquay?

In Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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 Torquay?

In Matsue, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Matsue has to offer.

Torquay 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 Matsue or Torquay?

Matsue is a great place to explore. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Torquay. 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 Matsue or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the casual destination of Torquay. This surf 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, 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 Matsue and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 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 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Torquay?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay 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 Torquayin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Torquay. The autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the autumn, Matsue is cooler than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Torquay. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. In January, Matsue is generally much colder than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Torquayin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Matsue is much colder than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Matsue