I am planning to take a short holiday overseas which I do (EVERY 2 MONTHS) and usually for only 5-6 days max as work is quite hectic... I usually go to HK/Macau, Phuket and (been to Singapore 6x in the past 2 years alone). Since these are short trips, I try to maximise my time and take an evening flight arriving back to SYD around 7-9am and head straight to the office with my luggage in toe.
I love Singapore and never get disappointed with each and every trip even if I've been there as many times as I've said however I was thinking of going to a different destination (with average flight time of 8+-) to which my co-worker suggested BALI!
This is were I need a little HELP or ADVISE!
One of the reasons I haven't gone is basically because a few friends said the beaches are not as clean, a tourist hotspot for Aussies, and a little over crowded. (I know this isn't the case everywhere but I wanted peoples thoughts).
I need help on things such as >
1. Beaches (what are the cleanest/nicest beaches at and also the worst to stay away from)
2. Where to stay/Accommodation (I've seen small and very clean 4star accommodation for $60 and then go upto $200+) I'd like to be walking distance to beach and spend around $100 a night but can spend $200 if need be. (don't know what norm is to spend for 4star property but want the best value of course and I'm not picky as long as its clean and relaxing)
3. Things to do/see (don't want to be smack bang in the centre of bars/tourist areas but at least a short 5min trip or 20min walk)
4. Cost of food/drinks and transport (taxi)
WOW I'm typing a lot. I hope I've provided enough info for your all to share your thought and previous experiences in Bali. Looking forward to your response. Thanks.
Most of those questions can be answered online with many travel blogs, but I'll give you one advice - choose a widebody aircraft for you evening flight back, for the layflat business class or better economy seats to let you sleep. You don't want to sleep on a 737.
My opinion is that Nusa Dua has the cleanest beaches because it's quite an exclusive area and there's people hired to pick up rubbish every day
Things to do include going to Ubud rice terrace, lots of good beach clubs, Omnia pool Club, La Favella bar night club
Food can be cheap or expensive depending on your pick
Alcohol can be between $4AUD to $20AUD per glass depending on place
Taxi is pretty cheap about 70c/km officially
You can use Grab app which is similar to Uber - Uber no longer operates in Bali
I guess that would be my 2 cents
Thank you for reply. I'm just trying to get a sense of the place and what things might cost... Again with every travel I always keep an open mind. Cheers! :)
Avoid Kuta (I’ve never been and will continue to avoid it like the plague) look at nusa dua, Uluwatu, I enjoyed mountain area of Ubud and recommend looking at air bnbs for private villas also. Most of them are in complexes and run like hotels but offer more variety then a run of the mill hotel room. Ive only ever travelled to Bali for long weekends for a bit of RnR to break up work until the next holiday. Close enough from Perth to do this.
As another poster said avoid Kuta and Legian is also pretty bad for the beaches, I stayed in Sanur late last year and really liked that area. Seemed more European tourists than Aussie there, the beaches were clean over there everyday. If I was to go back to Bali I would stay in Sanur, I did go to Uluwatu for a wedding and that area was nicer, but just seemed a little isolated to me.
1. Avoid Seminyak, during the times of year when the wind blows from the west certainly. I've never seen such a filthy beach as all the trash that enters the sea from the island waterways is just deposited back onshore. And the sea is generally not particularly safe either.
As others have mentioned, Nusa Dua beaches are generally much cleaner as they tend to be combed and cleaned daily. The sand is much nicer than Seminyak etc. too.
Jimbaran Bay is our 'go to' place - quieter and lovely beaches. Your budget is a bit 'skinny' for any of the 4-5* resorts there though. The people are very friendly. Wine is VERY expensive!
Australian's won't be your problem outside of Kuta/Seminyak - Chinese tourism is booming there.
I would still suggest seminyak or canggu as it’s more vibrant than further south. Lots of top end Australian restaurants and beach clubs give an alternative to the ocean which can be wiffy. Potato Head Ku de ta, Miss Sippy and Tropicola all examples. Check out @the seminyak snob on instagram for every tip possible. Melb woman travels between bi weekly. Great resource.
A day trip I recommend is to Karma Kandara ( or Finns Beach Club) right on the southern tip of the Island. Day hire a mini van and driver for the 60 to 90 min drive. Cable car down the cliff to a beautiful restaurant and beach. Sparkling blue water great food. Can return via Bulgari Hotel or Omni for a squiz and a sunset drink. Happy travels.
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Visiting Bali for the first time
benjo
benjo
Member since 17 Apr 2013
Total posts 63
HI Team, (SYD-BALI TRIP)
I am planning to take a short holiday overseas which I do (EVERY 2 MONTHS) and usually for only 5-6 days max as work is quite hectic... I usually go to HK/Macau, Phuket and (been to Singapore 6x in the past 2 years alone). Since these are short trips, I try to maximise my time and take an evening flight arriving back to SYD around 7-9am and head straight to the office with my luggage in toe.
I love Singapore and never get disappointed with each and every trip even if I've been there as many times as I've said however I was thinking of going to a different destination (with average flight time of 8+-) to which my co-worker suggested BALI!
This is were I need a little HELP or ADVISE!
One of the reasons I haven't gone is basically because a few friends said the beaches are not as clean, a tourist hotspot for Aussies, and a little over crowded. (I know this isn't the case everywhere but I wanted peoples thoughts).
I need help on things such as >
1. Beaches (what are the cleanest/nicest beaches at and also the worst to stay away from)
2. Where to stay/Accommodation (I've seen small and very clean 4star accommodation for $60 and then go upto $200+) I'd like to be walking distance to beach and spend around $100 a night but can spend $200 if need be. (don't know what norm is to spend for 4star property but want the best value of course and I'm not picky as long as its clean and relaxing)
3. Things to do/see (don't want to be smack bang in the centre of bars/tourist areas but at least a short 5min trip or 20min walk)
4. Cost of food/drinks and transport (taxi)
WOW I'm typing a lot. I hope I've provided enough info for your all to share your thought and previous experiences in Bali. Looking forward to your response. Thanks.
Benjie. :)
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Most of those questions can be answered online with many travel blogs, but I'll give you one advice - choose a widebody aircraft for you evening flight back, for the layflat business class or better economy seats to let you sleep. You don't want to sleep on a 737.
S
S
Member since 13 Sep 2013
Total posts 119
Think you might be on the wrong website Benjie
icejester
icejester
Member since 21 Aug 2016
Total posts 2
I just came back from Bali 2 weeks ago
benjo
benjo
Member since 17 Apr 2013
Total posts 63
Thank you for reply. I'm just trying to get a sense of the place and what things might cost... Again with every travel I always keep an open mind. Cheers! :)
Dan22
Dan22
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Aug 2013
Total posts 168
Avoid Kuta (I’ve never been and will continue to avoid it like the plague) look at nusa dua, Uluwatu, I enjoyed mountain area of Ubud and recommend looking at air bnbs for private villas also. Most of them are in complexes and run like hotels but offer more variety then a run of the mill hotel room. Ive only ever travelled to Bali for long weekends for a bit of RnR to break up work until the next holiday. Close enough from Perth to do this.
blaird
blaird
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Aug 2013
Total posts 36
As another poster said avoid Kuta and Legian is also pretty bad for the beaches, I stayed in Sanur late last year and really liked that area. Seemed more European tourists than Aussie there, the beaches were clean over there everyday. If I was to go back to Bali I would stay in Sanur, I did go to Uluwatu for a wedding and that area was nicer, but just seemed a little isolated to me.
Blake
Blake
Member since 03 May 2017
Total posts 39
bcworld
bcworld
Member since 07 Mar 2013
Total posts 6
1. Avoid Seminyak, during the times of year when the wind blows from the west certainly. I've never seen such a filthy beach as all the trash that enters the sea from the island waterways is just deposited back onshore. And the sea is generally not particularly safe either.
BJ01
BJ01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2015
Total posts 57
Jimbaran Bay is our 'go to' place - quieter and lovely beaches. Your budget is a bit 'skinny' for any of the 4-5* resorts there though. The people are very friendly. Wine is VERY expensive!
paulkaz
paulkaz
Member since 01 Mar 2011
Total posts 32
I would still suggest seminyak or canggu as it’s more vibrant than further south. Lots of top end Australian restaurants and beach clubs give an alternative to the ocean which can be wiffy. Potato Head Ku de ta, Miss Sippy and Tropicola all examples. Check out @the seminyak snob on instagram for every tip possible. Melb woman travels between bi weekly. Great resource.