20 Great Things to Do in Bali for Your Next Quick Australia Escape

Bali is the easiest international escape for Australians. From the east coast, the flight is about 6.5 hours, and from Perth it is closer to 4. That makes it just as good for a long weekend as it is for a full week away. Some travellers come for surf and beach clubs, some for rice terraces and temples, some for family time, and some simply to slow down for a few days.

This blog brings together 20 of the most worthwhile experiences across the island, so whether it is your first trip or your fifth, you know what is actually worth making time for.

For seasonal tips and packing guidance, read our blog Bali travel guide and advice on the best time to visit Bali before you book.

20 Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia: The Complete List

Whether it is your first trip or your fifth, these places to visit in Bali and Bali Indonesia tourist attractions belong on your itinerary. Here is everything to do in Bali, Indonesia, worth your time. These 20 great things to do in Bali represent the full range the island delivers, from the highlands to the coast.

#1. Tegallalang Rice Terraces

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces, about 10 km north of central Ubud, are the most photographed landscape in Bali. The stepped Subak irrigation system running down the valley has been farmed continuously for over 1,000 years. Entry costs approximately IDR 15,000 to 50,000, depending on the access path. Go before 8 am to beat the crowds and catch the light on the terraces before the tour buses arrive.

Several warungs line the terrace edges serving nasi campur, fresh coconut, and local black rice coffee directly over the rice fields. Swing platforms above the terraces are available for a separate small fee. It is easy to spend a slow morning here before heading north toward Kintamani or south back into Ubud.

#2. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

Mount Batur is an active volcano (last eruption: 2000) in the Kintamani highlands, rising to 1,717m. The sunrise trek departs at roughly 2 am and takes approximately two hours to the summit. A guide is strongly recommended: local guides charge an unofficial entry fee if you attempt the trail alone, and the path is genuinely confusing in the dark. Book a licensed guide in advance for a smoother, safer experience.

The reward at the summit is extraordinary: the full Kintamani caldera at dawn, with Mount Agung in the distance. Vendors at the top sell eggs and bananas cooked over volcanic steam vents, which makes for a genuinely strange and memorable breakfast above the clouds. Return by 9 am before the heat makes the descent uncomfortable.

#3. Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance

Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits on a 70m limestone cliff at the southern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. The sixth-century temple overlooks the Indian Ocean and is one of Bali's most spiritually significant sites. Entry costs IDR 50,000, and a sarong is provided. The Kecak fire dance is performed twice daily at the clifftop amphitheatre, and the combination of the chanting chorus, fire, and ocean sunset is unlike anything else on the island.

Local warungs below the temple sell satay, nasi goreng, and cold Bintang beer. Arrive by around 5 pm to explore the temple, find a seat for the dance, and stay for the sunset. Keep a firm grip on sunglasses and phones because the resident macaques are fast and have no interest in returning your belongings.

#4. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud is home to over 1,200 long-tailed Balinese macaques across 12.5 hectares of forested grounds. Three ancient Hindu temples sit within the forest, still actively used for ceremony. Entry is from IDR 100,000. Secure all bags, remove dangling jewellery, and pocket your sunglasses before entering.

Babi guling, the famous Balinese slow-roasted suckling pig from Ibu Oka warung, is two minutes from the sanctuary entrance and is one of Ubud's most celebrated food experiences. Pair a morning at the Monkey Forest with lunch at Ibu Oka and an afternoon walk through the Ubud Art Market for a full cultural day in the centre of town.

#5. Nusa Penida Day Trip

Nusa Penida is a 45-minute fast boat from Sanur Beach and delivers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Indonesia. Kelingking Beach, shaped like a T. rex silhouette from above, is one of the most photographed spots in all of Asia. Broken Beach is a natural rock arch with turquoise water below, and Angel Billabong is a crystal tidal pool at the cliff edge. Book a day tour with transport because the roads are rough, and self-navigating eats significantly into your time.

Local warungs on Nusa Penida serve fresh grilled fish and rice at beach stops along the tour route. The island is significantly less crowded than mainland Bali, and the difference in pace is immediately noticeable. If you can stretch to an overnight stay, the island changes completely after the day-trippers leave.

#6. Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is a 16th-century sea temple built on a rock formation about 300m offshore, accessible by a short walk at low tide. It is one of the most visited Bali island tourist attractions, particularly at sunset when the temple silhouettes against an orange sky over the Indian Ocean. An entry fee applies at the complex. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset for the best light and time to find a good vantage point.

The complex surrounding the temple is lined with restaurants and warungs serving cold drinks and seafood with direct views of the rock. The light changes fast at Tanah Lot, and what looks like a cloudy afternoon can turn extraordinary in the final 20 minutes before dark. It is worth staying past what seems like the best moment.

#7. Tirta Empul Water Temple

Pura Tirta Empul near Tampaksiring was built in 962 CE around a sacred spring that still flows today. Balinese Hindus come to perform the melukat purification ritual in the spring-fed pools. Visitors are welcome to join: dress respectfully, move through the pools quietly, and follow the guidance of temple staff. Entry is IDR 50,000, and sarongs are available.

The hillside around the temple has traditional warung restaurants with views over the surrounding rice paddies. Allow at least half a day to visit Tirta Empul alongside the nearby presidential palace views above the temple at Puri Saren Tampaksiring. The combination of spiritual experience and highland scenery makes this one of the most distinctive half-days available anywhere near Ubud.

#8. Waterbom Bali

Waterbom Bali in Kuta is consistently ranked among Asia's top water parks across 3.8 hectares of tropical landscaped grounds. Sixteen slides and rides range from family-friendly to genuinely terrifying, with a lazy river, swim-up bar, and a children's splash zone. It is one of the best things to do in Bali with kids and remains excellent for adults who do not mind queuing for 30 seconds of freefall.

The park's food court serves fresh Indonesian dishes, including Bali bowls, which are rice, tempeh, satay, and mixed vegetables served at reasonable prices. Book tickets online in advance as same-day tickets cost more at the gate. Set aside a full day because most visitors underestimate how long they will stay.

#9. White Water Rafting on the Ayung River

The Ayung River runs through a dramatic 9km gorge of jungle, rice terraces, and ancient stone carvings beneath Ubud. Class II to III rapids make it accessible for beginners while still delivering a proper adrenaline experience. Most tours last about two hours on the water, depart at 9 am, and include hotel pick-up from Ubud, Seminyak, or Kuta.

Almost all Ayung River rafting packages include a buffet lunch at the riverside warung after the run: fresh Indonesian rice dishes, noodles, satay, and tropical fruit in an open-air jungle setting. The whole package, including transfers and lunch, typically costs AUD $30 to $50 per person, making it one of the best-value full-morning experiences on the island.

#10. Seminyak and Canggu Beach Clubs

Bali's beach clubs are a category of their own. In Seminyak, Ku De Ta, Potato Head Beach Club, and Motel Mexicola have global reputations for design, DJ lineups, and sunset service. Canggu's La Brisa and Atlas Beach Club are equally impressive in a more open, surf-town setting. Most operate on a minimum spend model rather than a cover charge: allocate AUD $30 to $50 per person for an afternoon session.

Menus at Bali's best beach clubs lean into Japanese-Balinese fusion, fresh seafood, and tropical cocktails built around local spirits. The food is seriously good at this level and easily matches Sydney or Melbourne equivalents at a fraction of the price. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset to secure a daybed and settle in properly.

#11. Balinese Cooking Class

A half-day Balinese cooking class is one of the most rewarding ways to spend a morning in Ubud. Most classes start with a visit to a local market to source ingredients, then move to an open-air kitchen for hands-on instruction in nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay, tempeh, and traditional sambal from scratch. Classes typically run three to four hours and cost AUD $30 to $50 per person.

The class ends with eating everything you have made, usually in a traditional garden setting. The sambal alone reframes the concept of chilli heat for most Australians. A Balinese cooking class is one of those experiences among the places to visit in Bali that becomes one of your favourite memories from the whole trip, and the recipes come home with you.

#12. Campuhan Ridge Walk

The Campuhan Ridge Walk starts near the centre of Ubud and runs for about 2km along a jungle ridge above the Campuhan river valley, with a longer 9km loop extending to Bangkiang Sidem village for those who want a full morning out. It is free, always accessible, and completely quiet before 8 am. Coconut palms, light jungle, and open rice fields stretch along both sides of the narrow path.

Returning from the ridge, local breakfast warungs serve bubur ayam (Balinese rice porridge), fresh fruit juice, and banana pancakes on the main strip before the tourist restaurants open. This is the version of Ubud most visitors staying in Seminyak never experience, and it is worth the early alarm.

#13. Surfing at Kuta, Canggu, or Uluwatu

Kuta Beach is the best learning break in Bali: consistent, forgiving waves, hundreds of qualified instructors, and board rental from around AUD $8 to $15 per hour, depending on board type and season. Canggu's Echo Beach and Batu Bolong are ideal for intermediate surfers. Uluwatu and Padang Padang on the Bukit Peninsula offer powerful reef breaks that are among the best wave experiences in Asia for experienced surfers.

Canggu has developed into Bali's strongest food and cafe destination alongside its surf culture. Post-surf acai bowls, cold brew, fresh coconut, and avocado toast at dozens of cafes along Batu Bolong beach make it a full day destination even for non-surfers. The combination of surf, food, and the relaxed, creative energy of the neighbourhood is the reason many Australians return to Canggu specifically.

#14. Traditional Balinese Spa Treatment

A one-hour traditional Balinese massage, combining long strokes, palm and thumb pressure, and gentle stretches, costs between AUD $10 and $20 at reputable local spas in Ubud and Seminyak. Luxury spa experiences at properties such as COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud or Katamama in Seminyak cost from AUD $60 upwards and represent world-class treatments at well below comparable international prices.

Most traditional spas serve complimentary jamu before or after treatment: the Indonesian herbal tonic made from turmeric, ginger, tamarind, and palm sugar. Balinese healing traditions have deep roots in the island's Hindu-Animist culture, and even the most tourist-focused spa draws on those traditions. A spa treatment in Bali is not an indulgence. It is part of how the island works.

#15. Pura Besakih (Mother Temple)

Pura Besakih is the largest and most spiritually important temple complex in Bali, sitting at approximately 1,000m on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung. The complex contains 23 separate temples across a stepped hillside. Entry costs IDR 90,000 per person, which includes a mandatory guide, a shuttle from the car park to the main temple, and a sarong. Note: local women sometimes approach visitors claiming that purchased offerings are required for entry. They are not.

The road to Besakih passes through Rendang village, known for producing some of Bali's finest rendang: the slow-cooked beef curry that most Australians know from Indonesian restaurants at home but rarely taste in its most authentic form. A warung lunch in Rendang on the way down from the temple is one of those unplanned meals that becomes the most memorable food experience of the trip.

#16. Diving and Snorkelling: Tulamben Wreck and Manta Point

The USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben in East Bali is one of the most accessible dive sites in Asia. The wreck starts at just 5m depth and extends to over 30m: snorkellers access the shallow end directly from the black-sand beach while divers explore the full length of the ship. Marine life includes reef sharks, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, and over 400 species of fish. Nusa Penida's Manta Point offers near-guaranteed sightings of manta rays year-round, reaching up to 4 metres in width.

Amed and Tulamben on East Bali's black-sand coast have excellent beachside warungs serving fresh grilled fish, prawn soup, and Indonesian corn fritters from the daily catch. Staying overnight in Amed rather than doing it as a day trip from Ubud gives you early morning dives when visibility is best, and the sites are nearly empty before the tour groups arrive from the south.

#17. Ubud Art Market and Royal Palace

The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) sells handwoven textiles, batik sarongs, silver jewellery, hand-painted canvases, wood carvings, and traditional crafts. Bargaining is expected and appropriate: start at about 40% of the first price offered and find a middle ground that works for both sides. Directly across the street: the 17th-century Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren), which is free to enter during daylight hours.

The market area is also the best in Ubud for food beyond resort dining. Locavore on Jalan Dewi Sita is among Bali's most acclaimed fine dining restaurants, with tasting menus from approximately AUD $50 per person, which is remarkable value for the quality. Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, a short walk away, represents the equally compelling other end of the local food spectrum.

#18. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage)

Jatiluwih in Tabanan is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed rice terrace landscape covering over 600 hectares, significantly larger and considerably less visited than Tegallalang. The traditional Subak cooperative irrigation system here is the most intact example on the island, and the terraces are actively farmed year-round. Entry is IDR 40,000, and walking trails wind through the working fields for several kilometres.

Several open-air restaurants sit directly on the terrace edges, serving traditional Tabanan-style dishes with views across the rice fields toward the coast. A full Balinese meal here, which is rice, lawar, satay, and fresh vegetables, costs AUD $5 to $10, and the setting competes with any restaurant in the world. Plan Jatiluwih as a half-day or full-day trip, not a quick stop.

#19. Coffee Plantation Tour (Kintamani Highlands)

The hillside coffee and spice plantations in the Kintamani highlands above Ubud offer free tastings of 12 to 14 varieties of locally grown coffee and tea: vanilla, cacao, cinnamon, ginger, ginseng, turmeric, and more are grown alongside the coffee plants. The tasting is complimentary, and luwak coffee is typically charged separately.

Luwak coffee is produced by Asian palm civets that eat and partially digest coffee cherries: the beans are collected from their droppings. At commercially oriented tourist farms, civets are often caged. Ask your driver or tour operator specifically whether the civets at your chosen plantation are wild or free-ranging before you book, because ethical options exist and are easy to find with a single question in advance.

#20. Bali Swing (Ubud Area)

The Bali Swing is a series of oversized jungle swings suspended above river valleys and rice terraces in the hills west of Ubud. Multiple operators offer the experience, and Aloha Ubud Swing is among the most established. Swing heights range from a few metres to genuinely vertiginous, and experience packages typically cost from approximately IDR 300,000 to 400,000 (AUD $30 to $40) depending on the number of swings included.

Most Bali Swing venues now have full jungle restaurants and smoothie bars serving acai bowls, tropical smoothies, and Indonesian rice plates in open-air jungle settings. Combine the swing with the Campuhan Ridge Walk for a good half-day loop through the hills and rice paddies west of central Ubud: both are within easy reach of each other.

For Australians comparing options, the best eSIM for Bali is the one that works before you land, keeps the essentials running, and avoids the usual roaming costs. If your trip goes beyond Bali, Jetpac also works well as a practical choice for travellers looking for the Best eSIM for Asia Travel, especially when comparing coverage, pricing, and regional plans across multiple countries.

Pack Your Bag and Go

The things to do in Bali are impossible to exhaust in one trip. That is the point. For Australians, no international destination combines this level of variety, accessibility, affordability, and sensory experience at a 6.5-hour flight distance. The 20 great things to do in Bali on this list cover the island's full range: volcanic summits and UNESCO-listed rice terraces, beach clubs, manta rays, and jungle swings. Pick ten for your first trip. Return for the other ten. The best things to do in Bali always leave you with a reason to come back.

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FAQs

What are the best things to do in Bali from Australia?

The best things to do in Bali for Australian visitors include the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Campuhan Ridge Walk near Ubud, the Mount Batur sunrise trek, the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu, a Nusa Penida day trip for Kelingking Beach and manta ray snorkelling, and the beach clubs of Seminyak and Canggu. For first-timers from Australia, a 7-day trip covering Ubud, Seminyak, or Canggu, and a day on Nusa Penida covers the essential Bali tourist attractions without rushing.

What to do in Bali on a first visit?

On a first visit, prioritise Ubud for culture (Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, cooking class, ridge walk), the Bukit Peninsula for temples and surf (Uluwatu, Padang Padang), and Seminyak or Canggu for beach clubs and food. A Nusa Penida day trip rounds out the island experience. Most first-timers underestimate Ubud and overspend time in Kuta: the reverse allocation makes for a significantly better trip.

Is Bali worth it for a quick trip from Australia?

Absolutely. Bali is specifically well-suited to short escapes from Australia. The flight time from the East Coast is around 6.5 hours and from Perth about 4 hours. The e-VOA process is straightforward, and the best places to visit in Bali are accessible within a 5 to 7-day trip without rushing. Bali rewards longer stays but delivers real value on short ones.

What stuff to do in Bali, Indonesia, is free or low-cost?

A significant number of the best stuff to do in Bali, Indonesia, cost very little. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is free. Temple visits cost IDR 50,000 (approximately AUD $5). White water rafting tours, including transfer and lunch, run AUD $30 to $50. A full traditional Balinese massage is AUD $10 to $20. Even the premium experiences, such as cooking classes, beach clubs, and spa treatments, cost a fraction of their Australian equivalents.

What is the best eSIM for Bali?

Jetpac is the best eSIM for Bali for Australian travellers. It activates via QR code before departure, runs on major Indonesian networks on 4G and 5G, includes unlimited hotspot sharing, and offers 24/7 WhatsApp and email support throughout your trip. As an eSIM Indonesia plan, it also covers the rest of the archipelago if your trip extends beyond Bali.

Disclaimer 

Entry requirements, visa fees, tourist levies, and entry form requirements for Indonesia are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at the official Indonesian immigration portal and Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) before travelling. The official e-VOA portal URL is subject to change: confirm the current official URL at the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration website before applying. Temple entry fees and activity prices are approximate and quoted in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) with Australian Dollar (AUD) conversions based on approximate exchange rates at the time of writing: actual amounts may vary. The animal welfare note regarding luwak coffee reflects publicly available concerns and is provided for informational purposes only. Jetpac is not responsible for network variations or connectivity issues in any destination. No product endorsement of any operator, activity provider, or restaurant is implied or intended.