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In July 2025, we enjoyed a wonderful two-week family holiday in Bali with my sister and her family. There were four adults and four kids travelling together, aged 14, 11, 11, and 8, making it a fun and busy trip full of special memories.
We started our holiday with a night at the Novotel Melbourne Airport, which made our early Jetstar flight to Bali much easier and stress-free. From there, our Bali adventure began.
Our first stop was four nights at Family Nest Villas in Uluwatu, where we settled into holiday mode and enjoyed having plenty of space for the kids. We then moved to Sanur for five nights at Kejora Villa Sanur, loving the relaxed vibe and easy family-friendly atmosphere. We finished our trip with three nights at Movenpick Jimbaran Resort, a great spot to end the holiday with resort facilities that everyone could enjoy.
In this travel diary, I’ll share what it was really like travelling to Bali with older kids and tweens, where we stayed and why Bali remains such a favourite destination for family holidays.
We always organise a few things before our Bali family holidays:
- Covermore Travel Insurance
- eVOA, Love Bali Payment and Customs Declaration
- eSIM with Klook
- Schedule for our Nannies and Drivers (Their details are at the end of this blog post)
Bali accommodation we stayed in during our family holiday to Bali:
Tuesday 15th July – Novotel Melbourne Airport
We decided to stay at the Novotel Melbourne Airport the night before our flight to Bali, since my sister’s family lives about 4 hours from the airport. It made everything much easier and took the pressure off an early morning drive. This trip was extra exciting for the kids. It was my niece’s very first time in Bali, and my nephew’s second; his last visit was when he was just one year old! The excitement really started to build as soon as we arrived.
We parked our car at Busy Beaver Airport Parking and were dropped off directly at the Novotel Melbourne Airport. Thanks to my Accor Plus membership, I had a free room to use (check out the link to join), so between the four of us, we had two rooms, which worked perfectly, especially for the teen!
Before settling in for the night, I bought and activated eSIMs on our phones through Klook. It was super easy to do and meant that as soon as we landed in Bali, our phones would be ready to go with no stress.
We kicked off the holiday with a drink at the hotel bar before taking the short walk over to the airport for dinner at McDonald’s and Grill’d, an easy win with the kids. After a big day, it was an early night to bed, ready for our Bali adventure to begin the next day.
Wednesday 16th July – Flying to Bali
We woke up at 5:30 am and met down in the hotel lobby at 6 am before taking the short shuttle bus ride to the international terminal. The airport is technically walking distance from Novotel Melbourne Airport, but the shuttle was ready and waiting, which made things even easier.
Check-in and bag drop with Jetstar was super easy. We had booked our flights using points, which meant we had so much included luggage, 30kg per person on a reward seat. Such a great, affordable way to travel to Bali during school holidays, if you can find availability. I was honestly surprised at how easy it was to secure eight seats with Jetstar in the first week of the holidays but I did book early back in December for our flights.
Once we cleared immigration and walked through duty-free, we headed straight to the Qantas Lounge to relax before our flight. I’m a Qantas Points Plus member, so I could get our family into the lounge and I also had four lounge passes that I gifted to my sister’s family. It was lovely to have plenty of space to spread out, enjoy breakfast, and have a coffee (or two!) before boarding.
Join Qantas Frequent Flyer Program for free
Our Jetstar flight departed on time, and the flight itself was great. The flight attendants were fantastic and very considerate of Mason, who was wearing his Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard. I know Jetstar can sometimes get a bad rap but we always seem to have great experiences even if the Neo seats aren’t as comfortable as they could be.
When we landed in Bali, we had to be bused to the terminal, which was a first for me since 2019. Thankfully, we didn’t have any toddlers with us this time! Because we had pre-organised our Visa on Arrival online before flying, we were able to skip the VOA line and use the smart gates for immigration, as everyone in our group was over five years old. From leaving the plane to reaching the baggage carousel took just 20 minutes, super quick.
Find out how to avoid the queues at Bali Airport
Our luggage took about 15 minutes to come out, which was pretty impressive considering we had eight suitcases. I used a couple of porters to help with the bags and gave them around $5 each using leftover rupiah from our last Bali trip.
We then met our driver, Alex, who took us to our 8-seater van. It’s always possible to get larger vans in Bali for bigger groups, just ask your driver to organise it.
We arrived at Family Nest Villas and checked in, but our villa wasn’t quite ready yet. While we waited, we went next door to Pangolin Kids Club and grabbed a sandwich and drink from Sando. The kids also had fun playing with the Lego wall in the lobby, such a great way to pass the time.
Not long after, we were taken to our villa, Villa O… and wow. It was stunning, with four bedrooms and plenty of space for both families. The pool was a huge hit straight away. We spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool, my sister headed straight to the onsite ATMOS spa for a massage, and I ordered burgers for the kids via Grab from Mr Smash Burger. After a big day of travel, it was an early night for everyone.
Don’t forget to organise travel insurance for your next trip
Thursday 17th July – Family Nest Villas Uluwatu
I woke up at 6 am to a quiet villa and headed out for my morning walk. One of my favourite parts of any Bali trip is that very first morning, exploring the area around where we’re staying and hunting down a good coffee.
I walked along Jl Labuansait, where there are lots of shops and restaurants, and grabbed a coffee from The Bakery. From there, I continued to Padang Padang Beach to enjoy the calm, early-morning atmosphere. It was absolutely stunning and so peaceful. The whole walk from the villa to the beach took about an hour.
I then grabbed a Grab motorbike back to the villa, where everyone was slowly waking up. Before long, the kids were in the pool, making the most of villa life, before we all jumped into Grab cars and headed out for breakfast at Milk & Madu.
We love Milk & Madu cafes all over Bali, and the Uluwatu location didn’t disappoint. Great food and drinks, plus a kids’ playground and activities, made it an easy win for our group.
After breakfast, it was time to head back to the villa with the kids while the boys went off to explore. We spent the afternoon relaxing in the pool before visiting the onsite Pangolin Kids Club. There was so much for the kids to do, with both indoor and outdoor play areas to explore.
Later in the day, us girls headed to Fresh Spa for manicures and pedicures. It was great value and so much fun, especially with the face masks! The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool and chilling in the villa because that’s exactly what holidays are about.
At 6:30 pm we caught a couple of Grab cars to Gabet’s Pub for an early dinner. It was the perfect family spot, with AFL on the big screen and pool tables, ping-pong, and games to keep everyone entertained while we waited for our food.
To finish the day, I snuck back to Atmos Spa, the onsite spa at Family Nest Villas, for a massage. Absolute bliss and very reasonably priced, the perfect way to end our first full day in Bali.
Friday 18th July – Go Kart fun and family photos
Mason joined me on my early morning walk today, and we headed in the direction of Bingin Beach. It was such a lovely way to start the day together. We stopped at Butterman for a coffee and a pastry before continuing through the streets and down the stairs to Bingin Beach.
Walking along the beach in the morning was beautiful and so peaceful. I first visited Bingin Beach in 2018, and I still love its chilled, laid-back vibe.
We eventually made our way back to Family Nest Villas and had a relaxed morning before hopping into a Grab car for Ohana Kid Paradise. It’s an excellent spot for food and drinks while the kids play on the outdoor playground. We had breakfast there, and everyone was pleased with their meals.
After that, the boys and I headed to the Go Karts Bali track in Jimbaran in a Grab car. Mason is a huge F1 fan, so anything to do with cars instantly grabs his attention. The boys had so much fun on the track, it cost IDR 200,000 for 10 minutes, and helmets and gloves were provided. Definitely worth wearing enclosed-toe shoes.
GO Kart Bali What’s App number +62 812 3899 3412
We headed back to the villa for a rest, and our nanny, Rina, arrived to help out. I then jumped on a Grab motorbike to the Gooseberry Restaurant, with Jed joining me shortly after. It’s a stunning French restaurant, and the food and cocktails were absolutely divine. After lunch, it was time for a bit of shopping along Jl Pantai Bingin near Magali Pascal Bingin, followed by some Bintangs by the pool back at the villa.
At 5 pm, our family photographer, Khushboo, arrived. I love getting family photos done in Bali, everyone is relaxed, happy and truly themselves. Mason always keeps us entertained with his pictures and this time he was keen for them to finish 😉 We started with photos around the villa and the grounds, then headed to Padang Padang Beach for sunset shots. It was definitely busier than my early morning walk, but I absolutely love how the photos turned out.
Click here to book family photos in Bali with Khushboo
After the photos finished, Charlotte and I headed out for a girls’ night, walking down Jl Labuansait. We stopped at Pavo Lounge for cocktails and mocktails, which was the perfect spot to sit back and watch the world go by. Travelling with teens can be so much fun, I really love having the time and space to chat properly together.
We then managed to get a table at KALA Uluwatu, a Greek restaurant with delicious food and a great atmosphere. It was such a lovely night, made even better when I returned to the villa to find our laundry had already been delivered. A long soak in the bathtub was a brilliant way to end the day.
Saturday 19th July – Massages and exploring Uluwatu
Mason and I headed out early again this morning, with just a short walk to Road Trip Eatery, which opens at 7 am, for my morning coffee.
After that, I relaxed by the pool while everyone else slowly woke up, before we all jumped in a Grab car and headed to Lemanja Uluwatu for breakfast. My coffee was good and strong, but unfortunately, my avocado smash missed the mark. You win some, you lose some!
We headed back to the villa, where our nanny, Rina, arrived to look after Mason. Charlotte and I then made our way to the ATMOS Steam Club, located at the spa at Family Nest Villas. You can buy a day pass to relax and explore the steam huts and cold plunge pools, and they also have a healthy menu with really yummy food.
Later in the day, we took my sister’s family to Sundays Beach Club, at Ungasan Resort, which was about a 15-minute drive away. Unfortunately, when we arrived around 2 pm, it was fully booked, with only a couple of bar bench seats available. Note to self, always book ahead! Instead, my sister’s family spent some time swimming in the pool next to the WAATU restaurant.
Charlotte and I then took a Grab car back, where she had a hair treatment at Esthetic Uluwatu. I jumped on a Grab motorbike and went off exploring on my own. First stop was Suka Espresso Uluwatu for a strong coffee; they never disappoint. I then headed towards Thomas Beach, but by 3:30 pm, in the heat of the day, there was no way I was going to walk down all those steps. It’s a beautiful spot to spend the day, but definitely one to keep in mind if you’re travelling with younger kids, as there are a lot of stairs.
Next stop was Ulu Fish Market for sushi and a juice, such a great spot with fantastic food and a playground for kids. I did a bit of market shopping before stopping for an espresso martini at Ulu Garden. This area is full of great food and shops, but the prices definitely match the location. I couldn’t resist a browse at Ulu Shop before jumping on a Grab motorbike back to the villa.
Later in the afternoon, Jed, Mason and I headed down to Bingin Beach for sunset. It was stunning, but also a little bittersweet. Bingin Beach was about to change, as from Monday morning the government was due to begin demolishing the beachfront buildings, declaring them illegal for lack of permits. For now, we felt fortunate to enjoy one of the last stunning sunsets there with a Bintang in hand.
After sunset, we grabbed a bike to The Bench Brewery for dinner. We love this place, sports on the big screens, live music, delicious food and drinks, great vibes, and plenty of space for kids to run around.
We finished the night back at the villa with nighttime swims, which were so much fun and the perfect way to end the day.
Sunday 20th July – Lazy River at Grand Mirage and Sanur
I headed out early this morning for a solo walk down to Bingin Beach. The sunrise was beautiful and it felt special seeing Bingin Beach one last time before it changed forever.
We then headed to The Cashew Tree Collective for breakfast. I love this place! Beautiful gardens to sit in, a great playground for the kids, plus fantastic food and drinks. It’s such an easy win for the whole family.
After breakfast, it was back to Family Nest Villas to pack up and check out at 11 am. It was hard to leave such a beautiful place and we will definitely be back. Especially once the new restaurant with a pool is finished.
Our driver, Alit, picked us up and drove us about 45 minutes to The Grand Mirage Resort in Tanjung Benoa. We enjoyed a buffet lunch at the Grand Cafe restaurant before exploring the new lazy river. It was so much fun and such a great addition to the resort.
I then snuck away for some much-needed rest and relaxation by the main pool, where I also enjoyed a complimentary snack. After that, we said goodbye to the lovely staff and continued on to Sanur, with the drive to our villa taking around 50 minutes.
Check out this deal to stay at Grand Mirage Resort
We had chosen Kejora Villa 3, which features 5 bedrooms. The layout includes two king-sized bedrooms next to each other (not interconnecting), one king-sized bedroom connected to a twin room, and one queen room. Jed tried sleeping in the queen room, but it was quite musty, so I would realistically consider the villa to comfortably offer three king rooms and one twin room, sleeping eight people. We also hired an awesome waterslide from Bali Kidz Hire and other games from Bali Games Hire to keep the whole family entertained!
The villa has a separate indoor living, dining and kitchen area with air conditioning, plus a great outdoor living space to relax in. While the villa isn’t brand new, it was comfortable and in an amazing location, right next to Icon Mall. Our villa was only about a 20-metre walk to the main street, and it was also super easy to walk down the driveway to the beach. There were lounge chairs on the beach just for Kejora Villa and Suite guests, which was a lovely touch.
After settling in, we headed over to Icon Mall for a look around, where Mason quickly found the sushi train for an early dinner at Akari Sushi. We then visited the Market City supermarket in the basement to stock up on supplies for the villa. It had a great range of food and products, plus a café and ready-made sushi.
After a big day of travel, it was an early night back at the villa, relaxing and watching TV.
Monday 21st July – Kejora Villas Sanur
One of my favourite things to do in Bali is walking along the Sanur beach path at sunrise. Being on the beach around 6am and watching the colours slowly change is so special and never gets old.
I walked along the path to Byrdhouse, knowing they open at 6:30 am and make a really good coffee. It’s such a beautiful place to sit and watch the world go by. Byrdhouse is connected to Segara Village Hotel and features an outdoor playground for kids, making it perfect for families.
When I got back to the villa, Mason was awake and keen for a morning walk too. As breakfast wasn’t included at the villa, it gave us the perfect excuse to try some of the great cafes nearby. This morning we chose Soul on the Beach, a lovely cafe right on the sand with great food and coffee.
Later in the morning, I had arranged hair braiding for my niece with the girls from Ellyeyelashext, who came directly to our villa. Honestly, this is the only way to do it; her whole head took 2 hours and 15 minutes, with two ladies working at the same time! Having it done at the villa made it so much easier, with her comfy on the couch while mum relaxed by the pool and ordered room service from the Glasshouse.
Charlotte and I then escaped for some downtime at Nest Spa for a one-hour Balinese massage. I’ve been going to this spa for years, and it’s always great value. My next stop was the Shampoo Lounge for a gel pedicure. Once again, excellent service, and you can even enjoy a cocktail while you’re there.
When I returned to the villa, both the little and big kids were having a great time at Timezone. I couldn’t resist grabbing some Japanese pancakes to tide me over until dinner, so good!
For dinner, we took the kids to Shotgun Social. It’s an easy walk along the beach path and then up the street. It’s such a great family spot, with a huge tree playground and even kids’ movies playing. The menu is fantastic, and while the kids enjoyed their dinner, we snuck in a cheeky cocktail or two.
Our nanny, Rina, then took the kids back to the villa while us adults and Charlotte headed to Forketta for dinner. Great vibes and delicious Italian food made for the perfect adults-only dinner. After a quick Grab ride back to the villa, we were well and truly ready for bed.
Tuesday 22nd July – Trans Studio Themepark
We started the day with breakfast at Byrdhouse, where I had the loaded croissant and Mason had the waffles. So yummy!
After breakfast, we left the villa at 9:30 am and arrived at Trans Studio Mall right at 10 am.
We were there to visit Trans Studio Theme Park, but as it doesn’t open until 11 am, we spent some time exploring the mall first. There’s a playground for younger kids and Funtosee has VR games on site, which made the wait easy. Mason loved the F1 simulator, so he was very happy.
BOOK TICKETS TO TRANS STUDIO BALI HERE
Once the theme park opened at 11 am, we headed straight to the go-karts. We had VIP tickets, which meant no waiting, always a win. Even though the go-karts aren’t super fast, they’re still a lot of fun, especially for younger kids, as they can ride in the double karts.
We spent the next few hours exploring the theme park, watching the cultural show and enjoying lunch, which was surprisingly good. The older kids loved the rollercoaster on the roof, and one of my favourite rides was Flying Indonesia, where you get to “fly” over different parts of the country.
To finish the day, Jed and all four kids gave iFLY a go. It was so much fun and absolutely hilarious watching them try to master it. We ended up spending about 6 hours at Trans Studio, which was the perfect amount of time.
After such a big day, it was back to the villa for a swim, takeaway for dinner and an early night.
Wednesday 23rd July – Waterbom Waterpark
Mason and Jed joined me for my morning walk today, and we ended up at Batujimbar Cafe for breakfast. Mason chose the pancakes, while I went with the French toast, which was delicious. After breakfast, I wandered back to the villa on my own and stopped at Kopi Kiosk for a coffee. They do great, cheap coffee, and it’s definitely one I recommend.
We then took a Grab car over to Waterbom in Kuta, arriving at 9 am. Wow, the line was already huge, stretching right out into the car park. Thankfully, we had a VIP gazebo in the Oasis Garden area, so we were taken straight in with no waiting. You can find our comprehensive Waterbom Bali review here.
Want cheap tickets to Waterbom? Click here to buy
I loaded $100 AUD onto a couple of Splash wristbands so the kids could easily buy food and drinks throughout the day, and off they went. Our nanny, Rina, stayed with Mason, while we headed over to the new kids zone to check out the amazing Zuulu Hill rides. It’s such a great addition to Waterbom, and I love how they’re always expanding and improving. It really is the best day out with kids in Bali.
We enjoyed food throughout the day, and I even managed to escape for a relaxing back massage. The kids convinced me to go on a couple of rides too, but the lazy river is still my favourite.
By the time we left at around 5 pm, we were all happily exhausted after such a big day. Back in Sanur, I grabbed a delicious nasi goreng from Happy Monkeys, just a short walk from the villa, with great prices and very tasty. After such a full-on day, it was another early night for everyone.
Thursday 24th July – Relaxing Sanur day
Today was a much-needed rest day after a very busy few days. We slept in and didn’t head out for our morning walk until around 7:30 am, strolling along the beach path and enjoying the slower pace.
Breakfast was at Kayumanis Seaside, with delicious food and great coffee. After that, we spent some time relaxing in the villa pool before Jed woke up and we headed to Soul on the Beach so he could have breakfast and I could sneak in another coffee. It was such a brilliant morning, sitting in the sun and enjoying the view.
Later in the morning, I took the kids to Clip ’n Climb for some fun and adventure. It’s a great spot and super easy to get to from Sanur by car. The kids absolutely loved it, and the café has a good range of food and drinks if you need to refuel afterwards.
We headed back to the villa for more pool time, because that’s what holidays are all about. I then escaped for some me-time with a facial at The Nest Spa, which was absolutely divine.
In the afternoon, I met my sister at Andaz Sanur Resort, where we enjoyed a drink and a tour of the rooms before wandering through the Hyatt Sanur next door. Both are fantastic beachfront properties for families, with kids’ clubs and plenty of activities.
We then walked along the beach path to Genius Cafe and enjoyed a cocktail right on the beach. It’s such a great spot with yummy food and drinks and a relaxed vibe.
We finally made it back to the villa in time for dinner at L’Osteria Pizza e Cucina, just a short walk from our villa on the beach side of Icon Mall. The Italian food was amazing, the vibe was great and the kids’ menu was so much fun; hello Mickey Mouse pizzas!
Gelato for the kids for dessert and a delicious panna cotta for me was the perfect way to finish off a relaxed and happy day in Sanur.
Friday 25th July – AeroxSpace and Movenpick Jimbaran
I woke up at 6 am to the sound of rain, the first rain we’d had the entire trip. Even so, it didn’t stop my morning walk, especially as it was our last morning in Sanur. I walked along the wet beach path to check out The Meru Resort. It’s a high-end property and looks like a beautiful luxury option, while still being only a five-minute walk from the main restaurants and shops in Sanur.
When I got back to the villa, Mason and Jed joined me for another walk, and we had breakfast at Farmors Cafe. Great coffee and such a cute Danish-style cafe, with traditional dishes that were really tasty.
I then headed out for a solo walk towards Artasedana Market. Downstairs there’s a bookshop, supermarket and clothing stores, while upstairs there is a wide range of goods to browse. From there, I walked over to Prime Plaza Suites Sanur to have a look around. We haven’t stayed there since 2019, but it was great to see it’s still a very family-friendly resort. I love their huge apartment-style rooms, which are great value for money.
Next stop was Tootsie Restaurant for a second, lighter breakfast and coffee, great value and always reliable. I then visited Eyerizz Eyewear on the main street. Jed had already ordered glasses, and I decided to get a pair of prescription glasses too. The process was super easy. They check your eyesight, help you choose frames and then organise delivery straight to your home in Australia, all for a great price.
Back at the villa, it was time to pack up. The girls kept themselves entertained with games from Bali Game Hire while we waited. At 11 am, Alit and Gede arrived to pick us up and drive us to AeroXspace, which was only about a 15-minute drive away.
Whenever we transfer between accommodations, I like to plan activities to fill in the time between check-out and check-in, and AeroXspace was a great choice. It was fun for both kids and adults. We had an unlimited pass, plus add-ons for the VR flying cinema and space coaster, and spent around three hours exploring. We also enjoyed the food and drinks on-site. It’s the perfect spot for primary school kids and older, and I loved the upstairs lounge area where you can relax while the kids play.
Book tickets to AeroXspace Bali here
From there, it was about a 30-minute drive to our final stop, Movenpick Resort Jimbaran. I’m a huge fan of Movenpick, so it was wonderful to be back. We checked into our Family Prestige Room, which comprises two interconnecting ground-floor rooms. Our room numbers were 1106 and 1102, located close to the gym and kids’ club, making it super easy to access the restaurant and pool.
Check out our full review of Movenpick Resort Jimbaran
The first thing we did was head to Chocolate Hour. Every day from 4–5 pm, the resort offers chocolate fountains, popcorn and plenty of sweet treats and the best part is it’s completely free for guests. Bali Bird Park was also there, with beautiful birds to hold, which was a lot of fun. We even met the Movenpick resort dogs, absolutely gorgeous.
After that, it was finally pool time. We relaxed by the pool with a cocktail as the sun set, such a beautiful pool area.
Dinner was at Anarasa Restaurant, where the food was excellent. Mason loved the sushi and then spent time in the kids’ area watching TV, which made it easy for us to enjoy our meal too.
After dinner, I enjoyed a stroll around Samasta Lifestyle Village, where I watched a Balinese cultural show. It’s so nice that they have these performances on regularly, making it easy for guests to experience Balinese culture.
Saturday 26th July – Relaxing at Movenpick Jimbaran
It was a 6 am start for a short walk down to Jimbaran Beach before breakfast opened at Movenpick. Such a peaceful way to begin the day.
Breakfast at Movenpick is fantastic, with a huge range of options. I was really pleased to see plenty of healthier choices, and I also loved the plated eggs benedict, definitely a highlight.
Today was all about pool time, and the Movenpick pool is a great place to spend the day. It’s huge, with lots of different areas to explore, and the kids loved the inflatable fun. Mason especially loved hiring the underwater scooter and spent his 30-minute session happily exploring the pool.
Lunch was at Anarasa Restaurant, which has a massive menu with a great range of food and drinks. My pumpkin salad was delicious, and, of course, Mason chose sushi again.
After lunch, our nanny Rina arrived to hang out with the kids. The adults used this time to relax by the pool, listen to Triple J and soak up holiday mode. One thing to note, you can hire a gazebo, but I recommend organising this through the reservations team before your stay, especially if you plan a full pool day early in your trip. All the gazebos were booked, but we still managed to find lounge chairs together and settled in comfortably.
At around 5:30 pm, we headed back to the room for a quick shower and change before making our way up to Adriana Cocina & Bar for sunset drinks and dinner. Wow, this space has had such an incredible upgrade. The last time we visited was back in 2017 for my birthday, when it was a completely different rooftop bar.
The colours, the atmosphere, and the sunset were absolutely stunning, and there’s even a small pool up there now. The drinks were amazing, the dinner was delicious, but the highlight for me was definitely dessert. Add in a DJ playing tunes and it made for such a fun night.
I’d highly recommend a visit to Adrianna Rooftop Bar, even if you’re not staying at Movenpick. We wandered back to our room around 9 pm and promptly fell into a very happy food coma.
Sunday 27th July – Surfing and Timezone
Our last full day in Bali started with a 6 am solo walk to explore Jimbaran. I walked along Jimbaran Beach before stopping in at the InterContinental Resort to have a look around. It’s a fantastic beachfront option for families, and the breakfast staff were kind enough to show me through their impressive buffet. Kids are very well catered for here.
I then grabbed a coffee from Bull’s Coffee and walked along Uluwatu Street back towards Movenpick. There are lots of handy spots along this strip, including Vietnamese restaurants, Circle K stores, L’Osteria Pizza e Cucina, laundries and massage places.
Next stop was Sandpiper Bali, after hearing they play live sport upstairs, perfect timing as the F1 was on that night. The coffee was strong and excellent, and it’s a great place to watch AFL, rugby and F1. Highly recommend.
After that, it was back to Mövenpick for breakfast and then straight to the pool for more swimming and another turn on the underwater scooter.
My nephew was keen to try surfing, so I organised a one-on-one lesson through JBR Surf School on Jimbaran Beach. It cost $30 AUD for a one-hour private lesson. The instructor was lovely, and the waves were perfect for beginners, he had an amazing time catching waves. There are plenty of surf schools along the beach to choose from.
For lunch, the kids were keen to try Adriana Rooftop after missing out the night before. Once again, the food was great and the churros were a big hit.
Our nanny, Rina, then took Mason to Timezone for some fun, a great indoor activity and a nice break from the sun and pool. I had a manicure and pedicure at Nails Story next door. They provide a great service with good prices.
Meanwhile, my sister and her kids enjoyed the Lontar writing activity at the resort. They got ready at the kids’ club in traditional Balinese dress. It was a beautiful way to learn about Balinese culture, and Arik was a wonderful teacher. My niece was especially good at it! There are really so many activities at Movenpick, including the kids’ club, stingless bee house, and rabbit hut.
At around 5:45 pm, we headed down to Jimbaran Beach for sunset. We were so lucky on our final night; it was absolutely stunning. We enjoyed a Bintang while the kids ran around, the perfect way to end our Bali trip.
After sunset, the kids stayed with Rina and had dinner back at the resort, while we headed out to enjoy the Kecak Dance performance at Samasta Lifestyle Village. It was amazing. Our final dinner was at Bebek Bengil at Samasta, where we enjoyed traditional Balinese food. We then enjoyed a delicious gelato from Gaya Gelatolab, yum!
It was an early night for us all, ready for our flight home the next day.
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Monday 28th July – Flying Home
Our last morning in Bali and the first time I actually slept in. After many Bali trips, I’ve learnt that the best way to spend the final morning is to slow right down and not try to squeeze too much in before flying. Hubby delivered me an almond latte from Sandpiper Cafe, and it was the perfect way to start our last day in Bali.
We enjoyed another yummy breakfast at the resort before fitting in one last swim in the pool. I then managed a bit of final shopping at Samasta Lifestyle Village before we ordered room service for lunch and checked out at 1 pm.
Our drivers, Made and Putu, organised by our friend Alex, picked us up and drove us the 30 minutes to the airport. Our flight home was with Virgin, and it was my first time flying with Virgin to Bali since 2015.
The security lines leading to immigration were quite long, and from being dropped off at the airport to reaching the Duty Free entrance took around 50 minutes. Once we boarded, we then sat on the tarmac for about 30 minutes, always fun… not.
The flight itself was fine, although having only two toilets at the back of the plane for all economy passengers wasn’t ideal. Unfortunately, one of the flight attendants was unnecessarily rude to passengers, which wasn’t needed and put a bit of a dampener on the experience.
The flight time home was just five hours, and once we landed in Melbourne, things improved quickly. We were through immigration and had our luggage in hand within 20 minutes, record time. Well done, Melbourne Airport.
It was then time to say goodbye to my sister’s family, as we all live in different parts of Victoria. Thanks so much for following along on our Bali family holiday. What an incredible trip it was.
Trying to decide on where to stay in Bali with kids? Check out our blog post to help decide
We hope this diary-style blog gives you real insight into what it’s like to travel to Bali with kids: the highlights, the busy days, the quieter moments, and everything in between. If you’re planning your own Bali family holiday, we hope our experiences help you find the right place to stay and inspire your next adventure.
Our Driver and Nanny details:
Alex Driver +62 813 3749 7178
Alit Driver +62 877 6160 4525
Berta Nanny +62 813 3810 8760
As always, thank you for following along and supporting our journey. We can’t wait to share our next Bali family holiday, and if you like this diary, you might like our April/May Bali trip diary. Feel free to join our Facebook Group to get even more tips.
Kate xx
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