A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Wollongong?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Wollongong? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sandakan or Wollongong?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, 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 Sandakan and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan 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 Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Sandakan.

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

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Wollongong?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan 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 Sandakan or Wollongong?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Wollongong in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Wollongong. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongongin January. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sandakan is much warmer than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Wollongongin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Wollongong. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongong during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Sandakan