There’s a reason Bali sits at the top of so many Australian family bucket lists – for couples, young families, and increasingly, multi-generational holidays. From warm weather and beautiful resorts to genuinely kid-friendly experiences – it’s a destination that delivers again and again.
If a Bali family holiday is on your radar, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you go, from airport tips to on-the-ground essentials, and why you should consider travel insurance.
Let’s get into it.
To celebrate all things Bali, and make planning your next Bali family holiday a whole lot easier, our friends at Travel Insurance Direct (TID) are giving 3 lucky Mum Central readers a chance to win a $500 e-Gift Card! Scroll on to find out how to enter, but first, let’s cover everything you need to know before heading to Bali.
First Things First: What You Need Before You Fly
Before Bali becomes all sunsets and smoothies, there’s the unglamorous admin to be done.
Government resource Smart Traveller is a great place to start. They can outline entry requirements and any other important information you need to know before you go.
Travel Insurance
SIM Cards, Apps & Getting Around
Phone & Data
International roaming with providers like Vodafone or Optus (around $5 a day) and Telstra (around $10 a day) is an easy option, but it’s important to keep an eye on data usage. Alternatively, you can pick up an eSIM at the airport, with plenty of stalls offering clear pricing and no surprise bills. Just note that your Australian number won’t work unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
Must-Have Apps
- Grab & Gojek – Bali’s Uber equivalents. Download before you arrive so you can book rides straight away and meet drivers at the designated Grab Lounge at the airport.
- Google Translate – Download Indonesian offline so you can scan menus, signs and labels without needing data.
- Bali Buddies – A handy local site for recommendations, tips and what’s happening around the island.
- WhatsApp – Widely used in Bali and the easiest way to communicate with drivers, accommodation and tour operators without phone charges.
- Klook – Great for booking attractions, experiences, airport transfers and tickets in advance, often at discounted rates.
- Wise – Ideal for spending and ATM withdrawals overseas, with competitive exchange rates and low fees.
- Google Maps – Essential for navigating Bali, checking travel times and saving locations ahead of time.
Getting Around Bali Without Losing Your Mind
Once you’re officially out in Bali, getting around is surprisingly easy. Grab and Gojek work much like Uber at home, and downloading the apps before you arrive makes life infinitely smoother. You can even pre-book your ride from the airport and meet your driver at the designated Grab Lounge.
Getting around the island itself is another area where preparation pays off. Hiring a private driver for the day is incredibly affordable by Australian standards (averaging $90 a day from central Kuta) and removes so much stress. They’ll wait while you explore, help you navigate unfamiliar areas, translate when needed and often double as unofficial tour guides.
Scooters, while tempting, come with serious caveats. Without a full motorbike licence and an international driving permit, most travel insurance policies won’t cover you at all. It’s not worth the risk, particularly with kids involved.
Touching Down in Bali: What the Airport Is Really Like
By the time you actually touch down at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, you’ll already be warm, slightly sweaty, probably overstimulated, and very aware that your children have suddenly forgotten how to walk in a straight line. Bali airport can feel like a lot … the lights, the queues, the noise, the sheer volume of people … but once you know the rhythm, it’s actually pretty efficient.
Families with kids aged 6+ can head straight for the glowing fluorescent eGates, which feel oddly futuristic and mercifully quick. If you’re travelling with younger children, there’s a staffed assistance lane for manual processing, and staff are generally patient and kind with families who look mildly shell-shocked.
Welcome to the “Bali Red Carpet Walk of Fame” (IYKYK)
Once immigration is done and your bags are collected, you’ll step out into what seasoned Bali travellers affectionately call the “red carpet walk of fame”. This is where drivers, hotel staff and villa hosts line up holding signs, all smiling, all calling out names, all at once. It’s loud, busy and a bit overwhelming, especially with kids, but don’t panic.
If you’ve pre-booked a transfer, this is where you’ll find them. Keep scanning from the moment you exit customs, as some resorts still have small desks inside the terminal itself. And if you’re juggling kids, prams and luggage, paying a porter a few dollars to help you navigate the chaos is one of the best-value decisions you’ll make all trip.
Cash, Cards & Currency (Don’t Get Caught Out)
Just be aware that while Bali has plenty of ATMs, cash is still king. You’ll need it for markets, small shops, beachside massages and plenty of day-to-day expenses, so always have some on you.
Cash is still widely used in Bali, so it’s a good idea to have some on hand. You can withdraw money before you leave or exchange cash once you arrive, but avoid changing everything at once as rates vary by day and location.
A WISE card is a popular option for families travelling to Bali, especially for shopping and ATM withdrawals. It offers competitive exchange rates that are often better than those you’ll find at airport exchange counters, along with low-fee transactions that help keep costs predictable. Wise also allows several free ATM withdrawals each month (limits apply), making it easy to access cash as you need it without being hit with unexpected fees. It’s a simple, transparent way to manage spending overseas and avoid nasty surprises when you get home.
Water, Food and the Truth About Bali Belly (Listen Closely)
And now, the part every parent really needs to hear: DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER. Not even a sip. Not for brushing teeth, not for rinsing toothbrushes, not “just this once”. Bottled water is incredibly cheap, often less than a dollar for a large bottle, and should be used for everything that goes in your mouth.
Ice at reputable resorts and restaurants is generally safe, but fresh salads and unpeeled fruit can be hit-and-miss, and babies’ hands have a magical ability to end up in their mouths at the worst possible moments. Vigilance matters.
If Bali belly does strike, speed matters more than toughness. Diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps aren’t things to wait out heroically. Head straight to a chemist, grab diarrhoea medication and charcoal tablets, and start treating it immediately.
Villa or Hotel?
One of Bali’s biggest strengths is just how family-friendly it is, and that extends to accommodation options. Villas are hugely popular, especially if you’re travelling with extended family or friends. Splitting the cost often works out incredibly well, and many villas come with a host who can help organise drivers, laundry, meals and tours. Some even offer optional extras like a private chef, driver or butler, and honestly, if there was ever a place to lean into holiday mode, this is it.
Hotels and resorts, on the other hand, are a great choice for families who want everything in one place. Kids’ clubs, pools with slides, daily activities and on-site dining make life easy, particularly if you’re travelling with younger children. Resorts also tend to offer more structure and predictability, which can be a win if you don’t want to think too hard while you’re away.
The good news? There’s no wrong choice – it really comes down to how much space, flexibility and support you want during your Bali family holiday.
Don’t Skip This: First Aid & Health Essentials
A small, well-stocked first aid kit can make a huge difference when travelling with kids, especially in Bali, where you want to act fast if something pops up. Pack the basics from home so you’re not scrambling to find them when you need them most.
Include pain relief like Nurofen and Panadol, gastro medication such as Gastrostop, Travelan, Bonjela (or other teething medication if necessary) and a handful of Band-Aids. Hand hygiene is also key, so bring Dettol hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes for plane trays and high-touch surfaces, and liquid hand wash (most hotels and villas only provide a bar of soap, and liquid is far easier with kids).
Travelan is worth taking daily (adults can take three per day so take one before each meal) to help reduce the risk of tummy issues when eating out. A strong insect repellent like Bushman’s is a must, and mosquito repellent stickers on kids’ clothing can be helpful in the evenings. Hydralyte tablets and ice blocks are great to have on hand if anyone gets dehydrated, and sunscreen is far cheaper to bring from home than buy once you arrive.
If you need Gastrostop, you’ll want it immediately, so don’t leave it behind.
Other Things to Pack (and What to Leave at Home)
Packing smart also makes a huge difference. Bali heat is relentless, kids tire faster than you expect, and even children who haven’t used a pram in years will suddenly be very grateful for one.
Parents of Babies & Kids
- BABY GEAR: A large range of baby equipment can be hired locally, saving you from hauling bulky items through airports, and if your villa has a pool, you can even hire portable pool fencing to keep the kids safe and give you the ultimate peace of mind.
- NAPPIES: Don’t overpack on these as they can easily fill a suitcase! Day nappies are fine to be purchased locally – there are lots of options and prices are fair. Bring your preferred overnight nappies, especially if your child is prone to leaking. At least you’re not bringing them home as you’re secretly prepping space in your bag for your shopping!
- FORMULA: bring enough from home as Aussie brands are pricey and limited
- WIPES: These can be heavily fragranced, so if you have a preference, maybe bring some with you.
- TRAVEL PRAM: If you’re planning to walk a lot … and in Bali, you will … a lightweight travel pram is non-negotiable. The heat, humidity, and long days mean kids tire quickly, even those who don’t usually use a pram at home. Bringing one can be the difference between a relaxed day out and a very long, very miserable afternoon.
- COLOURED PACKING CUBES are a quiet parenting hack … assign each child a colour, and you’ll always know whose clothes are whose.
General Packing
- BATTERY PACKS are essential. Bring one or two with you and charge up overnight each night, so you will never get caught with a flat device, especially as we can chew up some serious battery charge taking photos and videos across the day!
- LAUNDRY SERVICES are so affordable at about $3 per kg on the street, far cheaper than resort pricing. For those who travel light, it’s a great way to pack less and keep your clothing fresh during the trip. For others, leave it until the end of the trip so you come home to next to no laundry. #winning
The Bottom Line: Prepare Well and Enjoy the Magic
Bali isn’t perfect, and travelling there with kids comes with a learning curve. But with realistic expectations and smart preparation, it can be one of the easiest and most rewarding family destinations you can choose.
It’s the kind of place where kids are welcomed, parents can actually relax, and memories are made in between pool dips, sunset dinners and very affordable massages. Get the basics right, protect your family properly, and Bali will do the rest.
Bali will still be Bali. But you’ll be ready for it.
Why Travel Insurance Is the Backup You Hope You Never Need
No one books a Bali holiday expecting things to go wrong. You picture beach days, family dinners, massages squeezed in between kid activities — not doctors, pharmacies or emergency phone calls from a hotel room.
But travelling overseas, especially with kids, has a way of throwing up the unexpected. A stomach bug that hits fast. A fall by the pool. A lost bag with half your family’s clothes inside. Or a cancelled flight that snowballs into extra nights and extra costs you hadn’t budgeted for.
Travel Insurance Direct (TID) has been helping Aussies since 2005, offering travel insurance plans that let you focus on the fun, not the what-ifs. Travelling with family? Consider TID, with eligible policies covering dependent children and grandchildren for free when they’re travelling with you on the same itinerary.^
When you’re navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, language barriers and the stress that comes with sick or injured kids overseas, having access to 24/7 emergency assistance, cover for overseas medical expenses, and support for medical evacuation or repatriation can make an overwhelming situation far more manageable.
TID also offers cover for things families commonly face while travelling – from stolen or lost luggage, to trip cancellations due to specific insured events, to cruising (which is included as standard, not an add-on^). Many existing medical conditions are automatically covered too, provided the criteria are met, which can be helpful for parents managing health considerations while away from home.
Because overseas holidays don’t always go to plan, Mum Central readers can save 15%* on travel insurance with Travel Insurance Direct. Use code 15MUM at checkout and consider a plan for your family so you can focus on the fun.
Win 1 of 3 $500 e-Gift Cards+
To celebrate travel season and help families plan smarter, Travel Insurance Direct are giving Mum Central readers the chance to Win 1 of 3 x $500 EGift cards. Whether you put it towards travel costs, experiences, or simply easing the budget blow of family holidays, it’s a little extra breathing room for your next adventure.
To enter, simply complete the entry form below, and you could be one of our lucky winners!
GOOD LUCK!
This is a sponsored giveaway for Travel Insurance Direct.
^This is a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions as set out in the PDS.
Discount disclaimer
*15% discount offer valid from 6th March until 23rd April 2026 11:59 PM AEST. The discount applies to the total TID travel insurance premium when getting a quote using promo code 15MUM. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty, charitable donations or any changes you make to the policy. Travel Insurance Direct has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.
TID Disclaimer
Travel Insurance Direct © is a registered trademark of Travel Insurance Direct Pty Limited. Travel Insurance Direct Pty Limited ABN 30 121 659 470 AR305589 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib) ABN 81 115 932 173, AFS Licence No. 308461 and act as nib’s agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.
