The Cunninghams · Bali 2026
Know before
you go.
Visas, rupiah, sun safety and a few Bahasa phrases. Get the practical bits sorted so the only surprises in Bali are the good kind.
A little prep goes a long way.
Australian citizens are very welcome in Bali. Entry is straightforward, the resort handles the hard bits, and most of what is here is a 15-minute scan. Oliver, William and Emily will never know how much planning went into this.
Verify details closer to travel. Entry rules, fees and health requirements can change. Cross-check the Australian Government Smartraveller site (smartraveller.gov.au) and imigrasi.go.id a few weeks before you fly.
Getting in
Good news: entry is simple. Spend five minutes on this before you fly and you will sail through Denpasar Airport.
Passport validity
All five passports need at least six months validity beyond the return date of 15 October 2026. Check them now and save a last-minute panic at the airport.
Visa on Arrival
Australian passport holders buy a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Ngurah Rai International Airport on the day. The fee is approximately IDR 500,000 per person (roughly AUD 50), single entry, valid for 30 days with one 30-day extension available. You can also purchase it online in advance as an e-VOA via the official Molina system (molina.imigrasi.go.id) to skip the queue on arrival. For a party of five, that is worth doing. Check current fees closer to travel.
Bali Tourist Levy
Bali charges a one-off tourist levy of approximately IDR 150,000 per person (roughly AUD 15). Pay online before you fly at the Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) and keep the receipt, or pay on arrival. Check the Love Bali site for the current age exemptions for young children. Check closer to travel.
Electronic customs declaration
Indonesia requires all arriving passengers to complete an electronic customs declaration (e-CD) before landing. Fill it in online within a couple of days before arrival via the official Indonesian customs portal. One declaration per person.
Entry checklist
- Passports valid 6+ months beyond 15 Oct 2026
- Purchase e-VOA online before flying, or queue on arrival
- Pay Bali tourist levy via Love Bali portal
- Complete online customs declaration within 2 days of arrival
- Screenshot or print QR codes for all of the above
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Visa on Arrival (VOA) or e-VOA |
| Who qualifies | Australian passport holders |
| Fee (approximate) | IDR 500,000 per person |
| Validity | 30 days, extendable once |
| Entry | Single entry |
| Tourist levy | IDR 150,000 per person |
Rupiah and how to spend it
The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Notes come in large denominations so your wallet gets thick fast. Plan for some cash and some card.
How much is that in rupiah?
Approximate rate only: roughly 1 AUD = 10,400 IDR. Check current rates closer to travel.
Bali notes have a lot of zeros. Double-check amounts before handing over cash. It is easy to confuse 50,000 with 500,000 when you are new to rupiah.
Practical money tips
- Carry some IDR cash for warungs, markets, drivers and smaller spots that do not take cards
- Cards work fine at the resort, malls and most larger restaurants
- Use bank ATMs inside malls or at the resort for better rates and lower fees than street machines
- The resort has a money changer on site
- Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory: rounding up or 5 to 10 percent is plenty
- Avoid street-stall money changers with suspiciously good rates
- Watch withdrawal limits per transaction as fees add up on small amounts
Staying connected
The resort has free WiFi throughout. For everything else, here is how to stay in touch without a painful roaming bill.
Local eSIM
Buy a Bali or Indonesia eSIM before you fly through providers like Airalo or Holafly. Install and activate on landing. No physical SIM swap, works on most modern unlocked phones. Best option if your phone supports eSIM.
Telkomsel SIM on arrival
Telkomsel is the largest local network with great coverage across Bali. Physical SIM cards are available at the airport arrivals hall and at phone shops everywhere in Kuta. Bring your passport as registration is required by Indonesian law. Inexpensive data packs available.
WhatsApp is king
WhatsApp is the primary way Bali locals, guides, drivers and businesses communicate. Save the resort number there, and if you book any drivers or tours, expect WhatsApp as the main contact channel.
Set your clocks
Bali runs on WITA (UTC+8). Brisbane (no daylight saving) is 2 hours ahead. October is when Melbourne shifts to daylight saving (AEDT, UTC+11), so Bali is 3 hours behind Melbourne during the trip. Switch phones to local time on landing.
Health and safety
with young kids
Bali is a wonderful family destination. A little preparation goes a long way. See a GP or travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks before you fly for vaccinations, medications and personalised advice for Oliver, William and Emily.
Sun and heat
October is tropical and hot. Apply SPF 30 or higher and reapply regularly. Hats and UV-rated swimwear for the kids are essential. Avoid active outdoor play between 10am and 4pm when the sun is at its strongest. Drink plenty of water and watch younger kids for signs of dehydration.
Mosquitoes and dengue
Dengue is present year-round and the dengue mosquito bites by day, peaking in the early morning and late afternoon. Use air-conditioned or well-screened rooms and apply kid-safe repellent (DEET or picaridin) before outdoor time. See a doctor for any high fever within two weeks of returning home.
Bali belly
The most common issue for families. Bottled water only for drinking and teeth brushing. No ice unless you know it is filtered. Eat food hot and freshly cooked. Peel it, cook it, or leave it. Pack oral rehydration salts (ORS) sachets: the single most useful item in the bag for kids with a stomach upset.
Water and beach safety
The ocean around Kuta and Legian has strong currents and surf. Swim only between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches and obey lifeguard instructions. For the little ones, the hotel pool or calmer protected beaches such as Nusa Dua and Sanur are a safer bet than open surf beaches.
Animals and rabies
Rabies is present in Bali and carried by dogs and monkeys, particularly around temples. The rule is simple: no touching or feeding any animals. If a bite or scratch does occur, wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical care immediately. Do not wait and see.
Medical care and insurance
BIMC Hospital Kuta is the nearest international-standard hospital, open 24 hours with English-speaking staff, about a 10-minute drive from South Kuta. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential for a trip with three kids. Do not leave home without it.
A few Bahasa words
You will get by fine in English everywhere you go. But a few local words earn instant smiles and the kids will love showing off.
Questions you will ask
The quick answers to the ones that will inevitably come up.
What plugs do we need in Bali?
Indonesia uses Type C and Type F plugs (the round two-pin European style) at 230V. Australian plugs (Type I, flat angled pins) will not fit without an adapter. Bring a universal travel adapter; one is usually enough as most devices only need USB charging. The resort may have adapters to borrow, but do not rely on it.
What time zone is Bali on?
Bali operates on WITA (Waktu Indonesia Tengah, UTC+8). Brisbane (AEST, no daylight saving) is UTC+10, so Bali is 2 hours behind Brisbane. October is when Melbourne and Sydney move onto daylight saving (AEDT, UTC+11), so Bali will be 3 hours behind Melbourne during your trip. Set your phones to local Bali time on landing to avoid confusion with bookings and mealtimes.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
No. Do not drink tap water anywhere in Bali. This applies to all five of you, including teeth brushing. Use sealed bottled water or water provided and filtered by the resort at all times. Bottled water is cheap and widely available everywhere. This is non-negotiable with young kids.
Will we need cash or can we use cards?
You will need both. Cards work at the resort, large restaurants, malls and tour operators. Cash (IDR) is essential for local warungs, street markets, smaller shops and many smaller activities. Arrive with some IDR already in hand or withdraw at a bank ATM inside the airport. Aim to keep IDR 300,000 to 500,000 per adult in your pocket for daily incidentals.
Is October in the rainy season?
October falls at the tail end of Bali's dry season, so conditions are generally excellent. Expect warm sunny mornings ideal for pools and beaches, with the occasional short sharp shower in the late afternoon or evening. Full-day rain is uncommon in early October. Humidity is moderate. It is genuinely one of the best times to visit with kids.
How far is the resort from the airport?
Bali Dynasty Resort is in South Kuta, approximately 3.5 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport. In normal traffic the transfer takes about 10 minutes. The resort can arrange airport transfers. Organise one in advance so a driver is waiting when you land with five tired travellers in tow.
Can the kids drink from the pool or splash areas?
Resort pools are chlorinated and safe for swimming, but the same rule applies: do not swallow water intentionally. Rinse off after pool time and wash hands before eating poolside snacks. The family lagoon at Bali Dynasty is supervised, which makes it much easier to keep an eye on three kids at once.
What should we pack in a basic family first-aid kit?
Keep it practical and light. Essentials for a Bali family trip: oral rehydration salts (ORS sachets, the single most important item), children's paracetamol and ibuprofen, antihistamine cream and oral, antiseptic wipes and cream, adhesive bandages, antidiarrheal for adults, thermometer, and any prescription medications you use at home. Many pharmacies (Apotek) in Kuta stock basics, but having your own supply saves sorting things out when a kid is unwell at 10pm.
You are this close
to paradise.
You have done your homework. Now count down the days, pack the sunscreen and ORS sachets, sort the e-VOAs, and let the kids know Bali is getting closer by the second.
Selamat datang di Bali. You made it.