Bali | Locations | Exclusive Holiday Getaways

In a few hours you trade the commute for rice terraces, temple ceremonies, surf breaks and sunsets over Seminyak, with a cocktail costing less than a coffee back home.

But Bali is only one of Indonesia's 17,000-odd islands. Just across the strait, Lombok and the Gili Islands offer quieter beaches and some of the clearest water in the region. Further afield are Komodo's dragons and Java's volcanoes.

Whether it's a villa with a private pool, a family resort in Nusa Dua or a yoga retreat in Ubud, Indonesia delivers more holiday per dollar than almost anywhere within easy reach of Australia.

Exclusive Holiday Getaways members can win Bali escapes in our weekly holiday giveaways, save on everyday spending with member rewards, and support our charity partners with every membership.

How to Get There from Australia

Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar is one of the best-connected holiday airports for Australians. Direct flights run from every major capital with Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air.

Perth: about 3 hours 45 minutes
Darwin: about 2 hours 30 minutes
Adelaide: about 5 hours
Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane: about 6 to 6.5 hours

Bali runs on Central Indonesian Time, two to three hours behind the east coast depending on daylight saving, so there's barely any jet lag.

Getting around Bali

Private driver: the easiest way to explore Bali. A driver for the day is good value and saves you navigating busy roads.
Ride-hailing apps: Grab and Gojek cover most tourist areas for short trips, by car or motorbike.
Fast boats: run from Sanur and Padang Bai to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands and Lombok. Book reputable operators and avoid crossings in rough weather.
Domestic flights: connect Bali with Lombok, Labuan Bajo (for Komodo), Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
Scooters: popular but risky. Only ride if you're licensed and experienced, and check your travel insurance covers it.

Best Time to Visit

Dry season (April to October): sunny days, lower humidity and calm seas. This is peak season, especially over Australian school holidays in July and September.

Wet season (November to March): short, heavy afternoon downpours, lush green landscapes and lower prices. Christmas and New Year are still busy.

Shoulder months (April to June, September to October): the sweet spot for good weather, fewer crowds and better villa rates.

Nyepi (Bali's Day of Silence): usually in March. The whole island, including the airport, shuts down for 24 hours. Check the date before booking flights.

Things to Do

Ubud and Central Bali

Tegallalang Rice Terraces: go early, before the tour buses, for the classic emerald-green views.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: temples and banyan trees, home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Keep sunglasses and snacks out of reach.
Tirta Empul: join locals in the purification ritual at this holy spring temple.
Campuhan Ridge Walk: an easy morning walk along a grassy ridge just outside town.
Cooking class: visit a local market, then learn to make Balinese favourites like babi guling and sambal matah.
Mount Batur sunrise trek: a pre-dawn climb up an active volcano, rewarded with sunrise over the lake.

Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu

Beach clubs: spend a day at one of Seminyak's or Canggu's famous beach clubs, with pool, DJ and sunset.

Surfing: beginners learn at Kuta and Canggu; experienced surfers head to Uluwatu and Padang Padang.
Uluwatu Temple: a clifftop temple with a traditional Kecak fire dance at sunset.
Jimbaran Bay: a seafood dinner on the sand, cooked over coconut husks.
Shopping and dining: Seminyak's boutiques and restaurants rival anything in Sydney or Melbourne, for a fraction of the price.

Nusa Dua, Sanur and the Nusa Islands

Nusa Dua: calm, patrolled beaches and big resorts, ideal for families.

Sanur: a relaxed, older-style beach town with a long seaside path for cycling.
Nusa Penida: day-trip by fast boat to Kelingking Beach's dinosaur-shaped cliff and snorkel with manta rays.
Nusa Lembongan: mangrove kayaking, cliff-top bars and laid-back island life.

Lombok and the Gili Islands

Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air: car-free islands where you get around by bicycle or horse cart. Snorkel with turtles straight off the beach.
Lombok's south coast: quiet beaches and world-class surf around Kuta Lombok.
Mount Rinjani: a challenging multi-day trek up Indonesia's second-highest volcano, for the adventurous.

Where to Stay

Ubud: for jungle views and wellness. Stay in a private pool villa overlooking the Ayung River valley or the rice fields, or try a boutique retreat with daily yoga.

Seminyak and Canggu: for dining, beach clubs and nightlife. Villas with private pools are the standout value here, and work well for couples and groups.

Nusa Dua and Sanur: for families. Big resorts offer kids' clubs, calm beaches and everything on site.

Uluwatu and Jimbaran: for clifftop luxury and sunsets. Bali's top-end resorts are here.

Gili Islands: for barefoot island stays, from beachfront bungalows to small boutique resorts.

Budget Guide

Bali suits almost any budget. As a rough guide per person, per day, excluding flights:

Budget: around A$60–100 for a guesthouse, local warungs (eateries) and scooter rides
Mid-range: around A$150–250 for a boutique hotel or shared villa, restaurant meals and a private driver
Luxury: A$400+ for a private pool villa or five-star resort, fine dining and spa treatments

The sweet spot is mid-range. A private pool villa that would cost a fortune in Australia is often surprisingly affordable in Bali, especially outside school holidays.

Past Giveaways

Dreaming of Bali? Browse our current holiday giveaways for your chance to win a villa stay, resort escape and more.