Bali is compact enough that a good trip is about where you base yourself, not how much you move. These are the ways we shape a Balinese stay for Australian travellers.
Ubud and the coast
Two or three bases — Ubud for culture and rice terraces, then the south for beaches and sunsets.
- Typically 7–10 days
- Private driver included
- Two or three bases only
- Works as a short break
Wellness and villas
Yoga, spa treatments and a private pool villa, with as little scheduled as you want.
- Ubud or the Bukit peninsula
- Retreat options
- Villa with staff
- Airport transfers included
Bali for families
A villa with a pool, calm swimming at Sanur or Nusa Dua, and short drives rather than flights.
- Villa over hotel rooms
- Calm east-coast beaches
- Waterfalls and rice-field walks
- Short transfer times
Nusa Penida and the islands
Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan by fast boat — worth two nights rather than the exhausting day trip.
- Overnight beats a day trip
- Kelingking and Diamond Beach
- Manta diving in season
- Rough roads on Penida
Bali and beyond
Combining Bali with Thailand, or with the Gili Islands off Lombok.
- Gilis: no cars, good snorkelling
- Thailand pairs well
- Longer itineraries
- Enquire for options
Australians need a visa for Indonesia — there is no visa-free arrangement. Budget roughly AUD 65 per person: the e-VOA at about AUD 50, plus the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy, plus the free All Indonesia arrival form. Apply through official .go.id sites only.
Where this leads
Blog attracts, things to do informs, tours convert — in that order.