Family adventures – Bali style
Expedia’s Aussie family travellers love Bali – often staying for 6 to 7 nights. And why not? It has a wonderful tropical climate, with lots to do and see, great food and shopping, and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
Bali is also a great value destination, so you can enjoy treats like massages on the beach, a nanny for nights out without the kids, or even a driver to take the stress out of getting around. The most popular times for Expedia’s Aussie travellers to visit are around Dec/Jan and during the June school holidays, but there’s plenty to do year round.
If you’ve got kids or teens with an adventurous attitude to life, Bali will get them outside and off their video games. Here are a few activities you can do as a whole family that will get everyone’s hearts racing.
Climb an active volcano
Mount Batur (Ganung Batur) is an active volcano standing at 1,717m. If you don’t mind an early start, arrange a guided trip to the top for sunrise. If the kids aren’t keen to get out of bed, remind them it’s not every day they’ll get to climb an active volcano!
White Water Rafting
I have great memories of dong this as a teen on my first visit to Bali. The Ayung River, a one hour drive from most tourist centres, is a popular place to raft. You can raft down class II and III rapids, enjoying views of lush rainforest, rice paddy terraces and stunning gorges at the same time. Children will need to be at least seven years old and comfortable in the water to raft with most companies.
Learn to Surf
Bali has great surf beaches, with plenty of surf schools offering family lessons. Why should the kids have all the fun? If you’d rather shop than “hang ten”, book the 7-12 year olds into a ‘kids only’ lesson for the morning.
Elephant Safari
At the Elephant Safari Park north of Denpasar, you can ride on a magnificent Sumatran elephant or stay overnight at the Elephant Safari Park Lodge to really soak up the experience of being with these beautiful and endangered animals.
Get on your bike
Cycling is a great way to explore the countryside. You’ll escape the hustle and bustle of tourist centres and on this tour, visit a traditional house and temple, receive a cooking lesson from locals, and tuck into an Indonesian buffet lunch.
Bali Treetop Adventure Park
Located in Bedugal (about 60 minutes from Ubud or 75 minutes from Kuta, Legian, or Sanur), this adventure park is sure to be a winner with the whole family. There are seven “treetop” Adventure Circuits, some suitable for children as young as four. Suspended bridges, Spider Nets, Tarzan Jumps, Flying-Fox, and Flying Swings will ensure your children sleep very well that night! Bedugal is a located near a volcanic mountain and the Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Beratan is simply beautiful – so save some time to explore while you’re in the area.
Swim with Dolphins
What child wouldn’t want the chance to hug, kiss or play with a dolphin? At Bali Dolphins you can spend 40 minutes with these beautiful, gentle creatures in a purpose built ocean enclosure near Sanur. If the kids aren’t keen on getting wet, a Dolphin Cruise will get them up close without having to get in the water.
Where to stay
Expedia offer an array of great, family-friendly hotels in Bali including the Grand Mirage Resort Thalasso Bali in Nusa Dua and the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, which has some pretty fun kids rooms. Think with wild wallpaper and fun bunk beds. If you’re looking for more inspiration on holidaying with the family in Bali, check out these blogs: 5 reasons to visit Bali with families and Ubud for families.
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