You can see Bali in Lombok, but you can not see
Lombok in Bali
This phrase was written in the early 1990s by an Australian-born writer, Barbara Cahyadi who decided to live in Lombok
and become an Indonesian citizen.
The Lombok Guide website provides comprehensive
information about Lombok
About the writer
Barbara Cahyadi is an Australian writer who has lives in Lombok, Indonesia for over 30 years. She has been writing about Lombok and beyond since the late 1990s, and together with her Indonesian husband, Dian Cahyadi, published a monthly tourism magazine from 2007 to 2026.
This website is her legacy for Lombok and visitors from all around the world.
THIS IS LOMBOK
Lombok – unspoiled natural beauty, stunning uncrowded beaches and laid-back charm defines the island’s essence…
Just a brief 40-minute flight east of Bali, Lombok is the new Indonesian destination and a haven for those seeking the pleasures of an authentic tropical island getaway.
Despite often being referred to as “Bali 20 years ago”, this is only true in terms of development. Lombok boasts landscapes, people and a culture uniquely its own.
Stretching across 4,619 square kilometres, Lombok is almost as large as Bali and has a wide range of attractions and activities for all types of travellers.
From the exceptional beauty of the beaches fringed with coconut palms to the densely forested interior, the island unfolds in a series of breathtaking vistas. Drive almost anywhere and you can be assured of your own personal deserted beach.
East Lombok
The east of the island is the least visited and developed area of Lombok, although there are large towns and a thriving local population. Most people visit the area to catch inter-island ferries across to neighbouring Sumbawa, en-route to the islands of Komodo and Flores in the east.
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Central Lombok
Lombok is divided into four governmental regions: West, Central, East and North Lombok regency. The south of the island, except for those areas bordering the west and east coasts, are therefore classified as “Central Lombok” – although if development plans go ahead, it is likely that a new regency will be formed for the south in the next few years. For this reason, we have included a separate “South Coast” section in this magazine.
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West Lombok
West Lombok is the most developed area of the island for tourism and the largest governmental district, as it encompasses the entire west coast of Lombok, the cities and the inland villages that border the southwest slopes of the Rinjani mountain range. The region has an established infrastructure for travelers, with good roads, small cities, shops, restaurants and hotels.
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North Lombok
Dominated by the majesty of Mt Rinjani and the surrounding mountain ranges, North Lombok offers stunning landscapes for travellers who like to go “off the beaten path”.
Jungles and rainforest with towering old-growth trees provide wonderful opportunities for trekking and ecotourism. The many waterfalls and rivers, and the unique flora and fauna of the region, together with long curves of deserted beaches, make the north coast an ideal destination for those who appreciate true natural beauty.
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The South Coast
Located around 60 km south of Mataram, Kuta (sometimes spelt Kute) is the main town and tourism centre on the south coast of Lombok, and is the gateway for exploring the fantastic south coast and the many places of interest in the region.
The Lombok International Airport (LIA) is the only commercial airport on Lombok and is located just 25 minutes’ drive north of Kuta, making access to the south very easy.
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The South West Coast
A long meandering coastline of pristine white sand beaches, rolling hills, quaint villages, and sparkling ocean as far as the eye can see… that’s Southwest Lombok!
Off the coast, thirteen small islands – the Southwest Gilis – float in the turquoise waters just waiting to be discovered.
Unlike the famous ‘Gili Islands’ in northwest Lombok, the Southwest Gilis are largely uninhabited and have yet to be discovered by most travellers… that’s why we call them ‘The Secret Gilis’!
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Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, or “Gili T” as its affectionately known, is the largest and most developed of the three Gilis, with the greatest range of facilities and activities. It is the furthest island from the mainland, but is easily reached from Bali in less than 2 hours and is only 10 minutes by speedboat from Lombok.
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Gili Meno
Gili Meno in contrast, exudes serenity, with its pristine white sands and turquoise waters creating an intimate haven for those seeking seclusion and romance.
Located between Gili Air and Gili T, Meno is the smallest island and has the lowest population of the three Gilis.
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Gili Air
Gili Air has a relaxed, friendly and attractive bohemian vibe, quite distinct from the other islands. It offers a good balance between the buzz of Gili T and the chill of Gili Meno, and draws guests to return year after year.
Gili Air is the island closest to the mainland and can be reached in around 20 minutes by local boat or five minutes by speedboat.
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BEST IN LOMBOK
THE MAGNIFICENT WATERFALLS OF CENTRAL LOMBOK
Lombok offers visitors stunningly beautiful natural landscapes and
some of the most popular tours for travellers include trekking through the jungles and rainforests to visit the island’s spectacular waterfalls.
Two very special waterfalls are located in Central Lombok, around an hour and a half drive from either Senggigi or Kuta.
These waterfalls are located in the village of Aik Berik in Central Lombok, about 27 km east of Mataram and less than one hour’s drive from the capital. The village is easily reached by car or motorbike and is set amongst pretty scenery, with green rice fields and verdant fruit orchards.
SURF’S UP LOMBOK!
It’s that time of the year again when the winds are blowing “just right” and the waves are calling all surfers to come on board!
Although inevitably compared to Bali, surfing in Lombok is a much more relaxed experience, without the crowded lineups and aggressive competition for waves.
The best part about surfing in Lombok is that the island offers something for everyone – from beginners to intermediate to surf pros!