Tropical Escapes
Bali
Rice terraces, temples and jungle retreats, paired with clifftop villas and long lunches by the sea. The secret is choosing the right part of the island, or combining two.
Culture, food and beautiful places to stay.
Bali is so much more than a beach holiday. It's an island of temples and ceremonies, emerald rice terraces, outstanding food and some of the most beautiful villas and spas in the world.
Each area has a completely different feel. Seminyak is stylish and lively, Ubud is green and spiritual, Uluwatu has dramatic clifftops, and Nusa Dua is calm and made for families.
Choosing the right area, and how to combine them, is the most important decision you'll make, and it's where I can help most.
Find your place
Which area is best for your holiday?
Four areas compared side by side, each with something different to offer.
About 30 to 45 minutes from the airport
Seminyak and Canggu
Bali's stylish west coast, with beach clubs, boutiques and some of the best restaurants in Asia. Canggu, just to the north, is more laid-back, with cafés, surf and rice fields between the villas.
Beach and water: Long sandy beaches with surf. Wonderful for sunsets, but swimming can be rough.
The feel: Stylish, lively and social.
What's good: Food, shopping, beach clubs and a huge choice of villas.
Worth knowing: Traffic can be heavy, and it's busy rather than peaceful.
Things to do
Watch the sunset from a beach club, browse the boutiques, take a surf lesson, book a Balinese massage, or visit Tanah Lot temple on its sea rock.
Best for: Couples, friends and food lovers.
About 1.5 hours from the airport
Ubud
Bali's cultural heart, set among rice terraces, rivers and jungle. Ubud is full of temples, galleries, yoga studios and wellness retreats, with some of the island's most beautiful resorts hidden in the valleys.
Beach and water: No beach, but beautiful infinity pools overlooking jungle and rice fields.
The feel: Green, calm and spiritual.
What's good: Culture, nature, wellness and stunning resorts.
Worth knowing: It's inland and can be humid, so most people combine it with a few days by the sea.
Things to do
Walk the Tegallalang rice terraces, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, see a traditional dance performance, join a Balinese cooking class or take a sunrise trek on Mount Batur.
Best for: Couples, culture lovers and wellness.
About 30 to 45 minutes from the airport
Uluwatu and the Bukit
Bali's southern peninsula, with dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden coves and some of the island's most spectacular resorts. It's also home to the famous Uluwatu temple, perched high above the sea.
Beach and water: Beautiful small coves at the bottom of the cliffs, with clear water.
The feel: Dramatic, glamorous and relaxed.
What's good: Spectacular views, luxury villas and wonderful sunsets.
Worth knowing: Many beaches are reached by steep steps, and you'll need a driver to get around.
Things to do
Watch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset, relax at a clifftop beach club, explore Padang Padang and Bingin beaches, or surf one of the famous breaks.
Best for: Couples, honeymooners and luxury.
About 20 to 30 minutes from the airport
Nusa Dua and Sanur
On the calm east coast, Nusa Dua is a manicured resort enclave with large hotels on long, sheltered beaches. Sanur, just to the north, is a relaxed, old-fashioned seaside town with a lovely beachfront path.
Beach and water: Calm, gentle water, ideal for swimming and young children.
The feel: Peaceful, easy and safe.
What's good: The calmest swimming in Bali, big family resorts and quick airport access.
Worth knowing: It's quieter and less characterful than other areas.
Things to do
Cycle the Sanur beachfront path, take a day trip to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida, try snorkelling or paddleboarding, and visit the waterblow at Nusa Dua.
Best for: Families and travellers wanting calm.
A few ways it could look
Ways to build your Bali escape
Simple inspiration rather than fixed itineraries. Every trip is shaped around you.
7–10 nights · One area
One perfect villa
Settle into one beautiful place and properly unwind. Ideal when the villa itself is the holiday.
10 nights · Ubud → Seminyak
Jungle and beach
A few days among Ubud's rice terraces and temples, then finish by the sea in Seminyak.
10–12 nights · Ubud → Uluwatu
Culture and clifftops
Start in the green heart of Bali, then end with clifftop sunsets and a luxury villa.
10 nights · Nusa Dua → Ubud
A family Bali
Calm beaches and kids' clubs first, then a few days of culture and nature in Ubud.
Where you might stay
Some gorgeous places to stay in Bali
From family-friendly resorts to secluded villas, Bali offers accommodation for different budgets and styles of holiday. Here are eight worth considering.
Seminyak · Couples · $$$$
The Legian Seminyak
An elegant all-suite hotel on the beach, with gracious service and beautiful sunset views.
Seminyak · Couples and families · $$$
The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali
Traditional villas and lanais in tropical gardens, on a quieter stretch of Seminyak beach.
Ubud · Couples · $$$$
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Villas tucked into the jungle above the Ayung River, a few minutes from Ubud.
Ubud · Couples · $$$
COMO Uma Ubud
A calm, stylish retreat on the river valley, with excellent yoga and a lovely spa.
Uluwatu · Couples · $$$$
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Striking clifftop pool villas with sweeping ocean views and a wonderfully calm atmosphere.
Uluwatu · Couples and families · $$$
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort
Perched above Impossible Beach, with infinity pools, ocean views and spacious suites.
Nusa Dua · Families and couples · $$$$
The Mulia
A grand beachfront resort with several pools, excellent restaurants and plenty of space.
Nusa Dua · Families · $$$
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
On a calm, sandy beach, with a huge lagoon pool, a kids' club and lots to keep families busy.
Indicative price positioning only: $$ comfortable, $$$ premium, $$$$ luxury. Actual rates vary by season, room category, inclusions and transfers.
Practical tips
Planning your Bali escape
When to go
April to October
The dry season
Sunny days and lower humidity. July and August are the busiest months.
November to March
The wet season
Hotter and more humid, with heavy afternoon showers. Lush, green and quieter, with good value outside Christmas.
Peak times
Book early
Australian school holidays, Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive times.
A guide to costs
Bali suits every budget. Here's a simple guide to what you can expect at each level.
Comfortable
Good four-star resorts and private villas, often with family rooms and kids' clubs. Bali offers excellent value at this level.
Luxury
Five-star resorts and pool villas, with beautiful spas and wonderful restaurants.
Ultimate
Bali's most exceptional retreats, with private villas, personal butlers and outstanding food.
Prices change with the season, the room and how you get there, so these are a starting point only. My planning fee is $250, and I'll compare resorts and packages to find you the best value for your dates.
Getting there
Direct flights from Sydney take around six hours. Bali is three hours behind Sydney for most of the year, so there's little jet lag.
Which area?
Traffic in Bali can be slow, so where you stay matters. I'll choose areas that suit what you want to do, so you spend your time enjoying Bali rather than sitting in a car.
Is a meal plan worth it?
Usually not. Bali has wonderful restaurants and warungs, and eating out is easy and excellent value. Breakfast included is often all you need.
Villa or resort?
A private villa gives you space and privacy, while a resort offers restaurants, kids' clubs and facilities. I'll help you decide which suits your group best.
Made for you
Your Bali escape. Your way.
I'll help you choose the right area, the right resort or villa, and the right room, with transfers that get you there smoothly.
Tell me your dates, who's coming and the kind of holiday you have in mind, and I'll find the place to match.
All you need to do is pack.
Keep exploring
