Travelling to Bali from Australia. The Lowdown

While it’s true Australians can often be found adventuring very far from home, one of their favourite destinations Bali in Indonesia is just a short flight away.

Australians love to travel with some 10 million Aussies travelling overseas for short-term visits in 2023 and of this number around 1.37 million went to Indonesia.¹ Most often headed to Bali to indulge in delicious local food, bask in tropical temperatures and relax by luxurious pools and on palm-lined beaches, it is easy to see why it is so appealing.

If you’ve yet to experience this popular destination, this guide will help you prepare for your introduction to the island of Bali. Delving into visas, vaccines, currency, must-sees, safety and more, you’ll be ready to enjoy its rich culture and diverse number of experiences with ease.

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Indonesia entry requirement for Australians and Australian residents

Any Australian or Australian resident entering Indonesia, whether arriving in Bali or another port must meet the basic entry requirements. This means you will need:²

• A current Australian or foreign passport with at least 6 months validity from the date you enter
• A valid Visa (e-Visa, or Visa on Arrival)
• A completed e-customs declaration

When using Bali as your entry point, a foreign tourist levy must also be paid as part of the entry requirements. This can be done online or via one of the dedicated payment counters within the airport.²

Do Australians or Australian residents need a visa to visit Bali?

Yes, all Australian visitors to Indonesia and therefore, Bali require a visa (e-Visa requested online or Visa on Arrival).²

This same visa requirement also applies to most foreign passport holders, however, some nationalities can enter visa-free. If you are an Australian resident, we recommend checking the requirements for your passport country online before travel.

Customs in Bali, Indonesia

Clearing customs in Bali and wider Indonesia requires careful adherence to relevant legislation, much of which is similar to Australian customs regulations.

You must declare any goods that exceed the permitted allowance and be prepared to pay any duty and/or tax owing on these. This includes alcohol, tobacco products, food, beverages and any personal medications among other items.³

If you are carrying cash or other means of payment exceeding 100 million Rupiah, this must also be declared to customs officers. This is roughly equivalent to AUD$9,500 based on today’s mid-market exchange rate used by Wise.

Prohibited Items

Some goods are not prohibited or restricted from being imported to Indonesia. This includes³:

1. Illicit drugs
2. Firearms, ammunition or explosives
3. Materials for chemical weapons;
4. Counterfeit currency and forged credit cards
5. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish or other raw food products
6. Secondhand goods (phones/laptops and other communication devices limited to two per person)

It should be stressed that Indonesia enforces strict penalties regarding drug offences. As a result, should you be travelling with medications you must declare these. It is requested by immigration that you present a valid prescription that outlines the dosage and that the medication brought in does not exceed this prescribed amount.⁴

Some medications with prohibited ingredients such as those found in ADHD and cold and flu medications or cannabis-based products may not be legal even with a prescription. As such you should make sure your medication is legal in Indonesia in advance of travel.²

How to apply for Visas, e-visas or entry permits

You can obtain a visa on arrival to Bali either at the airport or at major seaports or, the easier solution is to apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) online at least 48 hours before you travel.

To apply, you will need to⁴:

• Complete the online application form
• Upload a recent passport photo and a picture of your passport photo page
• Have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
• Show proof of your onward journey (flight itinerary)
• Have a method of payment for the visa
• Provide a valid email for the visa confirmation to be sent to

Costs for entry and required permits

At the time of writing, the cost to apply for a single-entry tourist visa as an Australian resident in 2024 is IDR 500,000 which is roughly AUD $50.⁴

As noted above, a tourist levy must also be paid for entry to Bali, which is currently set at IDR 150,000 or around AUD $15.²

Vaccinations required to travel to Bali from Australia

There are no published requirements regarding enforced vaccinations for entry into Indonesia or Bali.

While proof of vaccination against COVID-19 was previously required, this was revoked in mid-2023.⁵

However, it is recommended to check that your routine vaccinations are up to date. You may also wish to discuss with your doctor whether additional vaccinations for common illnesses or insect-borne diseases present in Bali are advisable.

Flying to Bali from Australia

Getting to Bali from Australia is relatively straightforward with direct flights available from several major cities. While some airlines fly this route daily, others may only offer flights on select days or from certain cities.

Direct flying time from Australia’s East Coast is approximately 6.5 hours with even shorter flight durations available from Perth totalling just 3.5 hours.

The below table shows major airlines that fly from Australia directly to Bali and from which cities you can depart.

Airlines	Departure Cities
Virgin Australia	Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide
Jetstar	Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Perth
Qantas	Sydney
Garuda Indonesia	Sydney, Melbourne

As seen on 11 June 2024

Currency in Indonesia and accepted payment methods

The currency used in Bali, Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR/Rp)

At the time of writing, based on the mid-market exchange rate used by Wise, AUD$1.00 is equivalent to Rp10,736.21.

Cash, credit and debit cards are all accepted forms of payment in Bali. Pre-paid travel money cards and non-bank debit cards are also accepted wherever you see the Visa or Mastercard logo.

However, as cash is most often the preferred payment method, you may find it challenging to use card alternatives when not at larger hotels or businesses. Ideally, you should have some local currency with you at all times, including smaller denominations for low-value purchases.

English spoken

A tourist mecca, English is considered to be the third most common language in Bali behind Indonesian and Balinese.⁶ Many vendors in popular tourist spots speak English with a high degree of fluency and within hotels and restaurants, this is also the case.

Regardless, learning some Balinese phrases is advisable and can help to show respect and consideration for the local population.

Useful apps to have before travelling to Bali

For even greater appreciation and enjoyment of Bali, some handy mobile apps are worth downloading before you travel.

1. WhatsApp

Favoured as the main communication tool in Bali, everything from restaurant reservations, day trips, hotel rooms and daybed booking at popular beach clubs can all be booked using this app. Need a dentist or emergency doctor appointment? WhatsApp is your go-to for these too while in Bali.

2. Grab

A transport app akin to Uber, Grab provides you with safe and reliable transport options for the island without the need to barter. Also facilitating the ordering and delivery of food, groceries and other essentials, it permits cash or online payments for added ease and flexibility.

3. Google Maps

While there are plenty of signposts and directions posted around the island of Bali, these are not always easy to follow or may not accurately represent the distances involved. For this reason a reliable map app is recommended to ensure you can more accurately plot your journey, plan your travel or avoid getting lost!

4. Info BMKG

Developed by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency this app provides updates on the latest earthquakes or volcanic activity present in Bali and wider Indonesia. Information on tsunami warnings, air quality and other weather-related concerns is also accessible via this app.

Top tourist locations in Bali

Despite its relatively small size, Bali offers a wealth of things to do and see, if you’re short on time or unsure where to begin exploring the island, consider starting with these top tourist locations:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace
• Tanah Lot Temple
• Uluwatu Temple
• Tirta Empul Temple
• Jatiluwih Green Land
• Waterbom Park
• Tirta Gangga
• Mount Batur
• Ubud
• Campuhan Ridge Walk

Hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit

If you’re someone who prefers to avoid the typical tourist haunts and hunt down hidden gems in new destinations, we suggest visiting:

Nusa Penida Island. A small island located off the Southeast coast of Bali, this location is rich in culture and offers access to breathtaking landscapes, lagoons, and Hindu temples. Home to some of the most insta-worthy sights, Angela Billabong, Kelingking Beach Broken Beach, and Diamond Beach are all worth a visit.

Amed, a small coastal village located on the far eastern side of Bali in the Karangasem Regency is often ranked as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places to visit in Bali. Visitors here can enjoy snorkelling on coral reefs fringed by black sand beaches or a hike to the top of Mount Agung among other outstanding activities.

Munduk Waterfall. Perfect for when you’ve had enough of beaches and pools, a hike to this waterfall in the rich interior jungles of Bali offers spectacular scenery and tranquillity. Taking between 4 and 6 hours to complete, this hike is best suited to those with a high level of fitness.

Local etiquette or customs to respect

To avoid annoying or offending the local Balinese people, foreign visitors to Bali should have an awareness of and follow some basic rules such as:

• Not using your left hand to eat, give change, or pass any other object as this hand is considered impure
• Not crossing your legs while seated at a restaurant or while in someone's home, as this is considered a sign of mistrust and disrespect
• Dress and behave modestly when entering sacred or holy sites
• Do not climb sacred trees
• Observe and respect religious holiday restrictions such as those present on Nyepi day

Safety in Bali

There is an ongoing risk of terrorist attacks in Bali. You should pay attention and adhere to official advice regarding this at all times.

Pickpocketing and other opportunistic petty crime can be common and travellers are advised to remain vigilant in crowded places due to this.

Additionally, as a destination with several active volcanoes, eruptions and associated natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis are a real risk. Use of the Info BMKG app and attention to local updates or guidance regarding these are strongly recommended.

Getting around in Bali

Traversing the island is made easy thanks to the presence of tuk-tuks, taxis and private cars which are easily booked using the Grab app. Tour and shuttle buses are also available to select locations.

While many Aussies and other foreign tourists rent scooters to get around, extreme caution should be taken if doing this. Licensing laws, improper insurance or lack of adherence to your insurer's fine print can see you caught out if you are in an accident or injured.

Keep in mind before you leave

Ready to head off on your dream Bali escape? Here are some last things to keep in mind before you travel.

• Make sure you have sufficient insurance to cover any accidents or emergencies, this is especially important if you are planning to hire a scooter or motorbike
• Advise your bank of your travel plans to avoid being locked out of your accounts due to suspected fraud
• Make sure your credit, debit or travel money cards will not expire while overseas and replace them as needed
• Organise a mixture of cash and cards to use while away, this will ensure you can cater to any vendor payment preference

Indonesian embassy addresses and contacts in Australia

To speak with your nearest Indonesian Embassy or consulate in Australia regarding your travel, you can contact them as follows:

Embassy	Address	Phone
Embassy of Indonesia, Canberra	8, Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla A.C.T. 2600, Canberra, Australia	02 6250 8600
Indonesian Consulate General, Sydney	236-238 Maroubra Road - Maroubra - New South Wales 2035	02 9314 0872
Indonesian Honorary Consulate, Brisbane	Level 20, Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane Qld 4001, Australia	07 3309 0888
Indonesian Consulate General, Melbourne	72 Queens Road, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia	03 9525 2755

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Sources:

1. Australian Bureau Of Statistics - Australian Tourists In Indonesia
2. Smartraveller - Travel to Indonesia & Bali
3. Indonesian Immigration - Customs Regulations
4. Indonesian Immigration - Applying For A Visa
5. Consulate General for Indonesia - Vaccinations
6. Bali.com - Language In Bali

Sources checked on: 11 June 2024