Planning Bali holidays for families
The Bali province of Indonesia is packed full of unforgettable adventures that your family will absolutely adore. You’ll find stunning beaches, bustling towns and a rich history to explore. Given how often travellers come through the area, accommodation options tend to be quite varied with a focus on luxurious rentals. You’ll still find plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options as well, so this destination can cater to several different kinds of holiday experiences. A favourite of Australians, Bali is exotic, fun and relatively easy to get to. Discover how to get the most out of Bali holidays for families to create the ultimate experience.
Getting to Bali
Before you can enjoy the wonders that this Indonesian paradise has to offer, you’ll have to get here. Fortunately, getting to Bali is fairly easy from Australia, and it’s just a matter of booking the right kind of travel. In the vast majority of cases, you’ll want to simply book a flight and fly straight here, but you can always opt for a more slow-paced trip instead if that better suits the kind of holiday experience you’re going for.
Flying to Bali
The easiest way to reach Bali holidays for families is to book a flight. You’ll find plenty of flights available throughout all of Australia, though direct flights are most often available in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Virtually every Australian city, however, offers easy connecting flights to Bali. If you’re flying from the west coast, it takes about 4 hours to reach Bali, with a much longer time frame if you’re flying from the east coast. Quite a few Australian and Indonesian airlines offer these flights, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding availability in most cases. When you arrive in Bali, you’ll be landing at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as the Denpasar Airport, about 13 kilometres south of the city of the same name. The airport is much closer to Kuta, being just 2.5 kilometres away from the city centre there.
Cruising to Bali
If you’re looking for a more relaxed and slow-paced experience, or you want to include Bali as part of a larger adventure, you may be more interested in booking a cruise. Keep in mind, however, that cruises tend to include Bali as part of a larger trip to other destinations like coastal Australian cities, Singapore and Hong Kong. Additionally, booking a cruise will put you on a time limit in Bali with most stops here lasting anywhere from 1 to 4 days in total. To enjoy Bali at your own pace, you’ll want to fly.
Where to stay in Bali
Bali may be a relatively small island, but there’s still a variety of towns and neighbourhoods to choose from when finding a place to stay. If you want to keep your family happy, you’ll want to find the places that best suit your family’s unique interests. Some areas cater to families with kids more than others, and you’ll need to keep that in mind when determining which option is best. Fortunately, you likely won’t have to travel more than an hour or 2 to see anything you might want to in Bali no matter where you’re staying, though traffic can change that timetable every now and then.
Relax in Jimbaran
Far from the most popular area of Bali, Jimbaran is one of the most appropriate places for family travellers. This fishing village has a relaxed and quaint atmosphere in stark contrast to the more bustling parts of Bali’s urban centres. Don’t think that means you have to miss out on the beach, however, as the beaches here are notably inviting with soft sands and shining waters. Plus, you can reach Jimbaran after just a short drive from the airport.
Splash around in Nusa Dua
When you book your stay around Nusa Dua, you’ll find an area seemingly set up for kids with special clubs and water slides for them to enjoy while you relax at the beach. Located on the south side of the island, this beachfront area tends to be quite upscale with most rentals coming with waterfront views and even room service in some situations. This area alone can make your holiday easier than you might have expected, which can be particularly useful if your family has many kids.
Find adventure in Ubud
If you have a particularly adventurous family, Ubud may be your best bet. This Bali destination is nothing short of a natural wonderland with plenty of room for you and your family to explore its nature. The Sacred Monkey Forest is especially popular with families, though the local galleries and water temples only tend to draw in older kids. Among this area, you’ll find opportunities for whitewater rafting, quad-biking and even treks through rice paddies, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of its wide range of adventure options.
Enjoy kid-friendly fun in Canggu
The community of Canggu is located just outside of Seminyak, one of the most popular destinations on the island. While Seminyak is famed for its thrilling nightlife, Canggu takes a more family-friendly approach with a beach, surfing opportunities, markets and theme parks. Additionally, many of the local cafes offer kid-friendly options suitable for those picky eaters who are only used to food found commonly in Australia. Just keep in mind that this area isn’t all that pedestrian-friendly, so you’ll need a car rental or private driver.
Finding kids’ activities in Bali
Once you find yourself in Bali, you’ll need fun things to do. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of options around the island that kids and adults alike can enjoy. All you have to do is sort through the available options and find the ones that your family will enjoy. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventure or relaxation, you’ll never have to travel far to find something worthwhile. Take a look at the top kids’ activities in Bali.
See incredible animals at Bali Safari and Marine Park
At Bali Safari and Marine Park, your family can embark on an adventure that will take you close to a variety of fascinating exotic animals in an experience that’s as exciting as it is educational. More than 100 species can be found here including some endangered and rare species like the Bali starling, the orangutan and the Komodo dragon. Most safari tours are in a vehicle, of course, but you’ll also find elephant-back safaris that let you and your family ride these majestic beasts.
Enjoy the calm shores of Jimbaran Bay
The beach is likely going to play a major part in your Bali holiday, but not all local beaches are created equal. For a family-friendly option, you may want to check out Jimbaran Bay. This area offers calm waters that are safe to swim in, letting your little ones splash around without having to worry about strong rip currents. Meanwhile, the sands are notably soft with plenty of room to simply lie out and relax if that’s what you’re interested in.
Find thrills at Waterbom Bali
Waterbom Bali is a stunning water park that’s often considered one of the best in all of Asia with 3.8 hectares of space and attractions for kids and adults alike. You can take on the adrenaline-pumping slides or let your little ones relax at the kids’ fun park designed particularly for young kids. This water park also has wave pools and lazy river rides suitable for all ages, so don’t hesitate to let the whole family splash around at this aquatic paradise.
Catch the waves at Echo Beach
If you’re travelling with older kids on your holiday, you may want to fit Echo Beach into your itinerary. The surfing waves here are quite popular, and experienced surfers, including teens who have spent plenty of time on the board, can tackle some of the best waves around the island here. This black sand beach is also home to quite a few seafood restaurants, letting you grab a bite to eat without having to travel far. Additionally, you’ll find some special opportunities here including horseback riding on the beach, which is something even younger kids can take part in.
Find the best family accommodation in Bali
No holiday would be complete without booking a proper rental. When you’re looking for the best family accommodation in Bali, you’ll need to consider the kind of experience you want. Once you’ve settled on a particular kind of rental, there are still a few factors that are universally required in any family accommodation. For example, you’ll need enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably, as well as amenities that will keep kids happy like central heating and cooling along with WiFi. Fortunately, that’s standard in most Bali rentals.
Discover family resorts in Bali
Family resorts in Bali are state of the art and packed full of exciting amenities that your whole family will enjoy. There’s plenty of room within the rentals, and you’ll find an accompanying service that will clean for you and can even bring you food in some cases. Included breakfast is common along with WiFi and access to a well-maintained pool. Resorts also often have their own kids’ clubs that let your little ones enjoy a variety of activities and experiences, including Lego-building and conservation programs.
Book a family villa in Bali
When you book a family villa in Bali, you’ll find quite a few unique features you won’t get to enjoy anywhere else. Unlike a resort, a villa is typically entirely self-contained rather than being part of a larger complex, but you still get the benefit of a full-time staff that offers exceptional service. Villas also tend to come with a full kitchen and plenty of space that not only allows your entire family to sleep comfortably but also offers privacy. Keep in mind that villas can vary in size quite a bit, so it’s best to find something that fits your family rather than opting for the biggest one you can find. Additionally, the pools at most villas don’t have their own fences, so you may want to keep that in mind if you’re travelling with particularly young kids.
Consider beachfront family accommodation in Bali
Chances are your family is going to find its way to the beach at some point during your Bali holiday. Because the beaches are one of the most popular destinations on the island, it only makes sense that you should book family accommodation in Bali that’s close. Fortunately, you’ll find no shortage of beachfront rentals available around the coast. These can come in many different forms, from beachfront kids’ resorts to villas with private paths to the coast. You can even find small apartment rentals that are just a few steps away from the beach, so you can even book by the beach on a budget.