Things to do in Bali

More about Bali

Things to do in Bali

Sunrise volcano treks, jungle swings, sacred temples and spa days so good you’ll forget your own name - it’s all in Bali. You can raft rivers past rice paddies, learn to cook like a Balinese local or snorkel with manta rays off island coasts. Want something slower? Wander art markets in Ubud, sip kopi luwak in misty plantations or catch the Kecak fire dance as the sun dips behind a sea cliff. Whether you’re a team thrill-seeker, food-chaser or slow-scenery-sipper, Bali’s got a ton of adventures in store.

Unique Bali things you can’t do anywhere else

• Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking: Set the alarm for 2am and prepare to earn that banana pancake breakfast. Trek past torchlight to the summit, then watch the sky crack open over Bali’s smoky, steaming crater lake.
• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: They’re not just monkeys, but macaques with attitude. Wander through mossy ruins and viney jungles where cheeky tails rule among ancient temples.
• Lempuyang Temple and Gate of Heaven Tour: Climb to Bali’s selfie summit. Heaven’s Gate frames clouds and mountains like a dream. You bring the pose, and they bring the mirror trick.
• Balinese Cooking Class in Ubud: Your classroom? A garden kitchen. Chop, grind and stir your way through a full-flavoured feast. Bonus: you get to eat the homework.
• Luwak Coffee Plantation Visit: Ever wondered how civet coffee gets from forest to cup? Wander the groves, sip the goods, and find out why this brew stirs up chatter.

Best Bali attractions to see

• Bali Swing and Jungle Swing Experience: Strap in, hold tight, and swing out over a jungle drop like you’re in a perfume ad. The view? Green. The shot? Guaranteed gold.
• Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance: Think cliffs, crashing waves and a chorus of rhythmic chants. This sunset ritual is spiritual theatre - and a full sensory hit.
• Tirta Gangga Water Palace Visit: Tiptoe past koi, skip across stone fountains and pretend you're royalty in this dreamy maze of pools and rice-paddy reflections.
• Tanah Lot Temple Visit: Built on a rock, blessed by sea gods and backed by crimson sunsets. This offshore temple delivers drama with a spiritual side.
• Bali Safari and Marine Park: Hop on a safari tram through a jungle that roars to life. From Komodo dragons to white tigers, it’s Bali’s wild side, without needing to rough it.

Best Bali day trips and tours

• Nusa Penida Day Trip: Speedboat over to rugged islands. Instagram-famous cliff views at Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong and beaches are so good you’ll question flying home.
• Snorkelling at Blue Lagoon: Drift beside sea turtles and clownfish in calm reef waters. This dive into East Bali’s marine life combines sunsets and snorkelling vibes.
• ATV Quad Bike Adventure: Mud-splattered thrills through jungle tracks. It’s adrenaline inland, with flashes of Bali jungle all around.
• Bali Ubud Waterfall Tour: A short hike through jungle greenness brings you to a wide cascade you can swim under. 
• Ayung River Rafting: Paddle past rainforest cliffs, bamboo bridges and cheering locals. Class III rapids mix thrills with riverside rice-terrace views.

Free things to do in Bali

• Campuhan Ridge Walk (Ubud): Rise early and stroll this ridgeline above the valley mist. It’s a free reset with just you, the trail and that emerald sprawl.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace Visit: These steps nearby don’t charge an entry fee, but the views? Full Bali blockbuster. Get in early to skip the crowds
• Sunset at Jimbaran Bay: Golden sands, smoky seafood BBQs and a sun that knows how to put on a show. No ticket is needed. But if you’ve got an appetite, bring some cash for a seafood feast in the sand.
• Penglipuran Traditional Village Walk: Tidy lanes and bamboo houses. This heritage haven feels like a peaceful pause button on Bali.
• Kuta Beach Surfing Window: No board? No drama. Grab a coconut and settle in to watch locals ride the breaks. It’s a high-energy freebie, right on the sand.

Budgeting for things to do in Bali

Bali does affordable like a pro. Temples and ridge walks? Often free. Waterfall swims, market strolls and monkey antics? Usually under AU$10. For mid-range moves, like cooking classes, jungle swings or Blue Lagoon snorkels, you’re in the AU$35–75 sweet spot. Feeling flash? Island-hopping to Nusa Penida, sunrise hikes or a day at the safari park might stretch to AU$100–160, but the wow-factor return is high. From cheap-and-cheerful to splash-worthy, there’s a Bali experience for every kind of spender.