Indonesia is the largest Muslim nation on earth and arguably our most important Asian neighbour; certainly it is the closest one. For many Australians Indonesia, or more accurately, Bali represents holiday paradise and the tourist haven of Kuta was once a virtual Australian suburb.

But relations with Indonesia have been rocky lately at least as far as the public are concerned. Islamic extremist bomb attacks in Bali (twice) and in Jakarta have clearly been aimed at westerners of whom Australians are the most visible. Add to that the furore surrounding the drug busts of Schapelle Corby and the 'Bali Nine'.

Australian visitors to Bali have dropped significantly and Indonesia is one of the few countries that the Australian government advises against all 'non-essential travel'.

Jakarta International Airport is the capital city’s airport, however, Denpasar airport in Bali is where most Australians enter Indonesia.

Qantas offer direct flights into Jakarta from Australia. Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Malaysian Airlines (via Malaysia) and Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) offer the most popular indirect services. Jetstar offer direct flights into Bali as does Indonesia's national airline; Garuda.

The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (Approximately 7,091 IDR to 1 Australian Dollar)

Bali is of course the favourite destination in Indonesia. Bali offers an image of paradise, stunning scenery, gentle sarong-clad people and legendary sunsets. Bali itself is fairly big, the main beach resorts being around Sanur , Nusa Dua and Kuta. Inland is the town of Ubud, which is Bali’s cultural centre, with many handicrafts and arts on display; it also has some fantastic restaurants. Inland Bali offers the chance to see still active volcanoes in the north of the island.

On Peaceful Lombok, life moves at a slower pace, while bustling Jakarta exhibits Indonesia's cosmopolitan, modern face. Komodo Island's 'living dinosaurs' and the entrancing 'sea gardens' of Suwalesi invite exploration, as do Borobudur's architectural treasures, which include 5km (3 miles) of Buddhist relief carvings. Adventure-seekers head for Kalimantan's remote jungle interior or explore Sumatra, with its teeming wildlife and wealth of tribal groups.

The main things to see and do in other parts of Indonesia include diving off the coastline. Caves on Java, including Luweng Jaran, stretching over 20km (125 miles) beneath the Gunung Seuw mountain range; Gua Barat, which has the longest underground river system in the southern hemisphere; and Gombong, whose stone towers rise spectacularly to some 40m (132ft) above sea level. Take a tour up the great Mahakam River in Kalimantan, Borneo. Trek up an active volcano, on Java island, hike Krakatoa, Mount Bromo (the most visited of Indonesia's volcanoes) and Kawah Ijen.

Australian passport holders can obtain a 30 day tourist visa on arrival for around US$25. Bizarrely this charge was only introduced after the first Bali bombings in October 2002 (yeah great way to re-stimulate tourism guys - make it more expensive to travel there) and was introduced despite the protests of many Bali hoteliers. And make sure you have exactly US$25 in cash on arrival - they do not give change!

Australians needing help can contact our embassy in Jakarta or the consulate in Bali:

Australian Embassy,

Jalan H.R Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16,

Jakarta Selantan 12940

Telephone +62 21 2550 5555 Fax +62 21 2550 5467

Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Nos 88B,
Tanjung Bungkak, Denpasar,
Bali, 80234
Telephone +62 361 241 118
Fax +62 361 221 195

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