9 holiday spots in Indonesia that aren't Bali

17 January, 2024  By: Fleur Bainger

Bali was crowned the second-best travel destination in the world for 2024, according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards - and of all the nations in the world who visit, Australians sit at the top.

As undeniable as its charms are, Bali’s surrounding hotspots – some emerging, some long treasured by those in the know – deserve your attention. From the of the world’s last untouched aquatic gems to UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonders, we’ve put together a guide to where you should venture next, because Bali is far from your only option.

Yogyakarta

Known locally as Jogja, the safe, culturally zesty city of Yogyakarta is found on the Indonesian island of Java. On the map, it’s west of Bali and east of Jakarta.

Soak up the sizzling fragrance of Pajar Beringharjo market or peruse the wares spilling from street stalls and hop between bars at Malioboro Street. Hit the coast for Parangtritis Beach, hike up Merapi volcano or explore the 80m deep Goa Jomblang cave.

Perhaps the strongest lure is for the ornate and enchanting temple of Borobudur - the largest Buddhist monument in the world dating from the 8th and 9th centuries. Closer to Yogyakarta is Prambanan - the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia. Both are UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Whichever you choose, arrive at sunrise for a breathtakingly serene sight.

Lombok

Directly east of Bali and roughly the same size, quieter Lombok has long been a magnet for surfers and divers. Over the past decade, leisure travellers have been trying out this Bali-alternative and finding its beaches, snorkel spots and tranquil resorts stack up.

Seek out soft, white sand at Tanjung A’an, Pandanan Beach and Mawun Beach. If you’re chasing waves, head to Selong Belanak Beach, Kuta Beach and Desert Point. In the north, Mount Rinjani – a UNESCO Geopark - is the equivalent of Bali’s Mount Agung; the challenging trek to the summit passes waterfalls and weaves through rainforest before reaching the crater rim.

Island culture thrives on Lombok, with indigenous Sasak villages, temples and rice fields able to be visited. In contrast, Indonesia’s MotoGP is held in Lombok’s south, at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit track, which opened in 2021.

Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are made up of three popular ‘gilis,’ or small islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, each with their own distinct personality and each car-free.

Gili Trawangan is the place to go to party, with plenty of bars ready to stoke the vibe, but it also has excellent diving spots, including a sunken ship. Gili Air is decidedly more sedate, luring loved up couples who interchange beach and books with snorkels for sea turtles chased by an afternoon massage. Gili Meno, only 2km wide, looks like a postcard above the water, and below, there’s a famous circular sculpture of 48 life-size statues of couples embracing, which was placed on the sea floor in 2017.

There’s plenty of coral reef and colourful fish at all the islands. Don’t leave without doing a sunset cruise.

Nusa Lembongan

Pale sandy beaches edged with volcanic rock, seaweed farms that resemble a patchwork of greens and clusters of small streetside cafes and cliff clutching restaurants are what awaits at Nusa Lembongan. The small island to Bali’s east is like a micro-Bali with a far more laid-back vibe.

Along with photogenic beaches such as Mushroom Bay, Coconut Beach and Lago Beach (for surf), it has a penchant for large, floating pontoons that might be topped with a 35m waterslide, coral rehab project and scuba centre (Bali Hai), or beanbags and a solar-powered bar (Lago).

And while many of Lembongan’s shops and warungs are small and rustic, the main village above Jungutbatu Beach has a row of chic restaurants leading to a decidedly posh, ocean-facing massage haven that does a roaring trade – Spring Spa is not to be missed. For a fun night out, catch the sunset at Why Not bar and chase it with a fancy dinner at Hai Ri Zen restaurant.

Raja Ampat Islands

Images of this remote archipelago in Indonesia’s far east sets the heart a-fluttering. Some 1500 jungle-smothered isles, shoals and cays rise from turquoise ocean, edged with bone-hued sands and rimmed by coral reef.

Set in biodiversity hot spot, the Coral Triangle, this place is regarded as one of the world’s last untouched aquatic nirvanas.

There are four main islands frequented by travellers: Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo (with its satellite islands Gam, Kri and Arborek). The latter hosts the region’s capital, Waisai and is where most visitors start. It’s also where you can glimpse the flamboyantly coloured birds-of-paradise, studied by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, based here in 1860.

He and Charles Darwin went on to jointly publish the theory of evolution. Misool is much further flung, but its confetti of karsts and subsea wonders are worth the effort for divers – think manta rays, dugongs, giant clams, and quirky parrotfish, as well as staghorn and brain coral.

Bintan Island

Closer to Singapore than Bali, this Indonesian island has positioned itself as a luxury getaway of ivory white sands and pancake flat waters.

It caters to diverse interests: water sports fans can hit the 6.3hectare, man-made Treasure Bay Lagoon sports playground and glamping hub. Golfers can make a beeline for one of Asia’s top golf courses, Ria Bintan. The health and wellness crowd have yoga, fresh juices and zen spaces in leafy surrounds.

For time out on the sand, head to Trikora Beach, or if local culture is what you’re craving, go to the traditional fishing village of Senggarang, which is imbued with Chinese heritage and stilt houses, and Sebung village for the island’s best seafood.

Lake Toba

Crystal clear Lake Toba is enormous. We’re talking 1145 square kilometres of enormous. It’s also 450m deep. Together, that makes it the largest crater lake in the world. And right bang in the middle is Samosir Island – itself nearly the size of Singapore.

This is where most visitors base themselves, enjoying the streets filled with bars and restaurants and the staggering views of a super volcano that’s been dormant for some 74,000 years, called Mount Toba.

Activities here are simple and about soaking up the surrounding Sumatran landscape. Head to Binangalom waterfall, swim in the lake and check out the angular Batak tribe houses and Batak museum at Tomok Village, between hikes to Holbung Hill and Pusuk Buhit.

Flores

Flores has long been seen as the gateway to Komodo National Park, which lies to its east, but lately it’s been coming into its own as a travel destination.

Like its neighbouring islands, it bears volcanoes, and crystalline ocean teeming with turtles, dolphins and manta rays, but it’s more arid than Bali. There are at least 50 spectacular dive sites, as well as lakes and waterfalls to splash in.

Kayaking along the craggy coastline and mangroves is popular, as is exploring Rangko Cave, or Mount Kelimutu with its tri-coloured lakes. Visit island communities such as Wae Rebo, a remote Manggarai tribe village some 1,200 meters above sea level. Take a boat tour to see the thousands of flying foxes that blacken the skies at night. Hike to a viewing point over the captivating rice fields.

Komodo National Park

Known as the land of Komodo dragons, the largest lizard species in the world is found nowhere else but Komodo National Park. Some 2500-3000 of them stalk between jungle and beach, yet they’re far from the only wildlife – tiny Komodo is also home to wild buffalo, horses, deer, snakes, monkeys and birds.

Captivating nature takes many forms: Komodo also bears one of only seven pink beaches in the world, typically called Pantai Merah, or Pink Beach. Off the island’s shores are coral reefs and marine life observed through transparent waters.