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Beyond Bali With Nine Indonesian Travel Destinations

You'll never go to the monkey forest again.
Forget Bali, take me to Belitung Island.
JS Callahan/tropicalpix / Alamy
Forget Bali, take me to Belitung Island.

We get it, Bali is close and it's cheap and sure, there are crowds, but you know you'll be able to get a Bonsoy latte after hot yoga on the beach.

Bali has nailed everything on the average Australian's wish list -- but it's time to look beyond Legian and the Potato Head Beach Club. It's time to venture into Indonesia proper.

Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism aims to up its annual Australian tourism from about 1 million to 1.4 million and they're hoping to make up the numbers by showing us places to visit other than Bali.

Lake Toba in North Sumatra

It's the largest volcanic lake in the world with nearby hot springs and a relaxed local atmosphere.

Samosir Island on Lake Toba which is the biggest volcano lake in the world.
Photo by Sayid Budhi
Samosir Island on Lake Toba which is the biggest volcano lake in the world.

Lake Toba and the monstrous volcano behind.
Getty Images
Lake Toba and the monstrous volcano behind.

Bangka and Belitung Islands east of Sumatra

You'll often find the shores of these islands popping up in lists of the best beaches in the world and for good reason.

Crowds? Not here at Belitung Island.
Moment Editorial/Getty Images
Crowds? Not here at Belitung Island.
The view from the lighthouse at Lengkuas Island.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
The view from the lighthouse at Lengkuas Island.

Tanjung Lesung, Banten

This Java paradise has scuba diving, snorkeling and hiking aplenty and you may meet a turtle on one of your swims.

You may see turtles in Tanjung Lesung, West Java.
Yamtono_Sardi
You may see turtles in Tanjung Lesung, West Java.
See the real Tanjung Lesung Bay at Cipanon Fisherman Village.
Barry Kusuma
See the real Tanjung Lesung Bay at Cipanon Fisherman Village.

Thousand Islands near Jakarta

From above, this island chain looks like leopard spots on a turquoise sea but up close, you'll find fishing villages and deserted coastlines.

A fish farm in Thousand Islands, Indonesia.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
A fish farm in Thousand Islands, Indonesia.
You can see how Thousand Islands got its name.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
You can see how Thousand Islands got its name.

Borobudur temple complex, Central Java

This momentous 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple overlooks verdant tropical hills and hazy skies.

Ranking with Pagan and Angkor as one of the greatest Southeast Asian monuments, Borobodor is an enormous construction standing majestically on a hill.
Antonia Tozer
Ranking with Pagan and Angkor as one of the greatest Southeast Asian monuments, Borobodor is an enormous construction standing majestically on a hill.
They're called 'stupas'.
Antonia Tozer
They're called 'stupas'.

Mount Bromo, eastern Java

Yes, it's an active volcano, but that doesn't mean you can't climb Mount Bromo. If your legs aren't made for walking, there are also horse rides and cycling trips.

A horseman at Mount Bromo.
martin westlake / Alamy
A horseman at Mount Bromo.
It's an active volcano.
RooM the Agency / Alamy
It's an active volcano.

Mandalika and Labuan Bajo in Nusa Tenggara

These new tourism regions will give travellers a taste of authentic Indonesian life. Oh, and there are Komodo dragons.

Mandalika beach, Lombok, Indonesia
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Mandalika beach, Lombok, Indonesia

See Komodo Dragons on the beach at Horseshoe Bay.
Mike Veitch / Alamy
See Komodo Dragons on the beach at Horseshoe Bay.

Wakatobi in South Sulawesi

This designated UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve is teeming with life for swimmers and divers yet while on land, island life is relaxed.

Find Nemo at Wakatobi.
Getty Images
Find Nemo at Wakatobi.
Wakatobi is an acronym for the four main islands of Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko.
AFP/Getty Images
Wakatobi is an acronym for the four main islands of Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko.

Morotai in North Maluku

There's uncrowded surf breaks and chilled beach life at Morotai.

There's good surf in North Maluku, Morotai.
Getty Images
There's good surf in North Maluku, Morotai.
There's also fishing.
John Seaton Callahan
There's also fishing.
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