Bali is extraordinary — we've established that. But Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with 17,508 islands, 300 ethnic groups and some of the most spectacular natural environments on earth. For Australians who've done Bali and want more, these are the destinations that deliver.

Lombok — Bali's Less Crowded Neighbour

Lombok sits just east of Bali, a 25-minute flight or 4-hour fast boat away. It has everything Bali has — beautiful beaches, rice terraces, surf breaks, waterfalls — with roughly one-tenth of the tourist infrastructure. The Gili Islands (Trawangan, Air, Meno) sit off Lombok's northwest coast and are among Southeast Asia's best snorkelling destinations. No motorised vehicles on the islands, crystal water, and sea turtles visible from the beach.

Mount Rinjani (3,726m) is Indonesia's second-highest volcano and one of the region's great trekking experiences — a 2-3 day summit trek through cloud forest to a caldera lake. AUD $150–250 for a guided 2-day trek including permits.

Komodo National Park — See Dragons in the Wild

Komodo dragons — the world's largest lizards at up to 3 metres and 70kg — exist only in the wild on the islands of Komodo and Rinca in eastern Indonesia. Seeing them in their natural habitat is one of travel's genuinely bucket-list experiences. Flying to Labuan Bajo (gateway to Komodo) from Bali takes 1.5 hours. Liveaboard tours of the national park (2–3 nights, AUD $300–600 all-inclusive) combine dragon trekking with world-class diving and snorkelling — manta rays, whale sharks and extraordinary coral.

Raja Ampat — The World's Best Diving

Raja Ampat in West Papua has the highest marine biodiversity on earth — more fish species have been recorded here than anywhere else in the world. It's remote (fly Bali–Sorong, then boat) and not cheap, but for divers and serious snorkellers, no destination compares. Liveaboard diving trips from AUD $2,000–4,000 for 7–10 days. Worth every cent for the right traveller.

Yogyakarta — Java's Cultural Capital

Yogyakarta (Jogja) is Java's artistic and intellectual heart — the centre of traditional Javanese culture, batik, wayang puppet theatre, and gamelan music. It's also the base for two of the world's great archaeological sites: Borobudur (the world's largest Buddhist monument, dating from the 9th century) and Prambanan (a spectacular 9th-century Hindu temple complex). Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and genuinely awe-inspiring at sunrise. Day trips from Jogja cost AUD $30–60 with transport and guide. Flight from Bali takes 1.5 hours.

Getting Around Indonesia

Lion Air, Citilink and Garuda Indonesia have extensive domestic networks connecting all major Indonesian destinations. Fares between islands are often AUD $30–80 — flying is almost always faster and more comfortable than overland options in Java or inter-island ferries. Book through Tiket.com or Traveloka for the best Indonesian domestic flight prices.

For accommodation across Indonesia, Booking.com has excellent coverage including guesthouses and boutique properties that don't appear on other platforms.

The Indonesian Islands Worth Adding to a Bali Trip

Indonesia has 17,000+ islands and the majority of Australian visitors see only Bali. The additions that require the least additional effort: Lombok and the Gili Islands (fast boat from Bali, 2-3 hours, AUD $30-45) for pristine beaches and Mount Rinjani trekking. Komodo Island and Flores (Garuda or Wings Air from Bali to Labuan Bajo, AUD $60-100 each way, 1.5 hours) for Komodo dragon encounters and the world-class diving at the Komodo National Park -- the underwater biodiversity here rivals the Coral Triangle. Sulawesi (Garuda flight from Bali to Makassar, 2 hours) for the Torajan funeral ceremonies (September-November peak season) and the extraordinary Tana Toraja highland culture.

Java: The Cultural Core

Java is Indonesia's most populous and historically significant island and almost completely off the radar for Australian tourists who stick to the Bali-Gili route. The highlights: Borobudur (the world's largest Buddhist temple, a 9th-century monument in a volcanic landscape, accessible from Yogyakarta) and Prambanan (the rival Hindu temple complex 30 minutes east). Yogyakarta ('Jogja') is a city of artists, batik workshops, wayang puppet performances and one of Indonesia's best street food scenes. The Ijen volcanic crater (East Java, pre-dawn hike to see the famous blue sulfuric flames) is one of Asia's most extraordinary natural spectacles. Java is best accessed by flying from Bali to Yogyakarta (Garuda, AUD $40-70, 1 hour) -- the sea crossing by ferry is possible but takes 10-12 hours.

Flores and Komodo: The Australian Itinerary

The Flores and Komodo itinerary is best structured as an addition to a Bali trip rather than a standalone destination -- the logistics from Bali are straightforward (Garuda or Wings Air to Labuan Bajo, 1.5 hours, AUD $60-100 each way) and the contrast between Bali's Hindu culture and Flores' Catholic heritage provides genuine variety. Labuan Bajo is the departure point for Komodo liveaboard trips (2-3 days, AUD $200-500 per person, visits multiple Komodo dragon sites and the best diving spots). The dragons themselves are extraordinary -- seeing a 2-metre 70kg prehistoric reptile in its natural habitat at close range is unlike any other wildlife encounter available to Australian travellers. The diving at sites including Crystal Rock, Batu Bolong, and Manta Point is consistently rated among the world's best, with strong currents delivering nutrient-rich water that supports exceptional biodiversity.

Java's culinary diversity is genuinely exceptional. Javanese food uses coconut milk, palm sugar and tamarind in combinations that distinguish it clearly from Balinese and Sumatran cooking. The gudeg (slow-cooked jackfruit in coconut milk, a Yogyakarta specialty), the soto (spiced broth soup with regional variations in every city), and the batik festival snacks of Solo (the adjacent royal city to Yogyakarta) are all specific to Java and unavailable in their authentic form in Bali or internationally. For Australian food travellers who have visited Bali multiple times and want an Indonesian experience that is genuinely different, Java's combination of archaeological significance, cultural depth, and culinary distinctiveness provides the most rewarding Indonesian alternative.

Indonesia beyond Bali rewards the Australian traveller who has visited Bali multiple times and wants to understand the archipelago's genuine diversity -- Java's temples, Flores' dragons, Sulawesi's culture and the Gili Islands' reef each represent a completely distinct Indonesian experience. The Indonesian archipelago's diversity -- from Java's temple culture to Flores' dragons to Sulawesi's Torajan traditions -- rewards the Australian traveller who uses Bali as a gateway rather than a destination, treating the island as the introduction to a far larger and more varied country.

Lombok is one of the most accessible and rewarding Indonesian islands beyond Bali. Our complete Lombok travel guide for Australians covers everything you need — flights from Australian cities, visa requirements, Rinjani trekking, the best beaches and ready-to-use itineraries.

Planning your trip? Make sure you have the right travel insurance sorted before you go. See our destination-specific guides: travel insurance for Bali, Japan, Thailand, and adventure activities.