Bali tourism has had its ups and downs but the island is still a magnet for Aussies.
Last year, nearly five million foreign visitors visited Bali, up one million from the year before.
And it holds the title of being best destination in the world, according to TripAdvisor reviewers.
So why, after all these years as Australia’s favourite escape, does Bali still hold such appeal?
Here are seven reasons Bali is better than ever.
1. IT’S STILL CHEAP
Let’s face it, price tends to be the No. 1 factor when booking a holiday, and Bali stacks up. One-way sale fares can be snapped up for under $100 from Darwin (or about $200 from Sydney and Melbourne). Indonesia led the rankings as the cheapest Asia-Pacific destination in a recent study by Cheapflights, with return fares averaging $528, down $60 from last year.
Accommodation wise, there’s more options than ever, which helps keep rates low. For a budget of about $50 a night, you can still score decent accommodation. One of the world’s top-rated hotels according to TripAdvisor, Tegal Sari, in Bali’s cultural centre of Ubud, averages about $74 a night.
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2. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT BOGANS
You may have crossed off Bali as “only for bogans”. And you wouldn’t be the only one. Many, like Meshel Laurie, who once admitted to Escape she “was a snob about Bali”, have changed their mind about it once they actually visited.
Although it’s true many Australians still go to Bali to party and drink cheap Bintang, a growing number are visiting to relax and rejuvenate thanks to the swell of interest in wellness coupled with the relative affordability of five-star resorts in Indonesia.
And, while you may encounter hordes of tattooed teens in Bintang singlets in some tourist hotspots, a whole wave of new luxury resorts and fancy dining spots is also taking the tone up a notch.
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3. IT’S NOT ALL MONKEYS AND BEACHES
Bali’s monkeys are one of the island’s best known attractions, but there are soooo many more things to do. New tourist attractions, activities and events are popping up all the time. Night surfing? Sure. Mountain biking? Of course. Freediving yoga? No worries. Then there’s Bali’s waterpark, Waterbom, which keeps adding new rides and slides to be rated among the world’s best. Or for something a little more sedate, how about chilling out by some of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful infinity pools? Oh and if it’s beaches you’re after, it’s not just about Kuta — give Gunung Payung or Balian beaches a whirl for a taste of Bali minus the crowds.
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4. THERE ARE STILL NEW SPOTS TO DISCOVER
Bali’s so popular that you’d think there’d be nothing left to “discover”, but you can still get off the beaten path. If you’re prepared to go beyond Seminyak and Kuta, you’ll be rewarded with some hidden gems. Try exploring the island’s hot springs, or its Mystery Boulder Beach. Or consider Lonely Planet’s hot tip of off-the-beaten-path destinations — Pemuteran, a small fishing village on Bali’s northwestern coast. “Don’t wait until everybody arrives; catch the buzz now from this alluring mix of art-filled resorts, inventive new restaurants and the mellowest vibe around,” is the hot tip from the guide book gurus.
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5. DID WE MENTION THE FOOD?
Nope, it’s not just a choice nasi goreng or mee goreng. Bali is home to a host of world-leading restaurants, covering every cuisine you might hanker for while on holiday. Aussie and international chefs have taken the island by storm, and there’s always a hot new spot to discover.
To get you started, it’s got stacks of family-friendly restaurants, awesome beach clubs all with decent dining options, not to mention brilliant burgers.
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6. IT’S A BASE FOR MORE AMAZING DESTINATIONS
If you’ve been there, done that in Bali, it’s time to go exploring beyond. Islands just off Bali, such as Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and the Gili Islands are gaining popularity as tourists look further afield for their “authentic” island escapes. Island-hopping adventures are gaining popularity, while Komodo Island — with its spectacular scenery, the opportunity to view komodo dragons and only 90 minutes by plane from Bali — is another hot tip from the travel experts. The Indonesian Government has also been getting in on the beyond-Bali action, identifying 10 “new Balis” — other Indonesian islands just waiting to be discovered.
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7. GETTING THERE IS EASIER THAN EVER
In recent years, extra flight options have sprung up, offering more competition on Bali routes. Besides the ill-fated Tigerair flights, which were canned earlier this year, AirAsia, Batik Air and Malindo Air are among operators now flying to Bali, complementing the majors — Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas and Garuda.
New international and domestic terminals opened in 2013-14 have replaced tired facilities and in March this year, Denpasar was awarded third place among airports of its size in the Airports Council International airport awards.
And these days, getting in Bali is easier and cheaper — last year, Indonesia scrapped its previous $50 entry fee, with Australians now allowed to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
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Love Bali? Share a top tip on how or where to experience Bali at its best, and go in the running to win our monthly reader prize. Email escape@news.com.au
