The Bali alternative you don't even need a passport to visit
Bali has always been - and will probably be for years to come - a classic holiday spot for Aussies chasing the sun.
In fact, Indonesia accounted for 14 per cent of all Aussie international holidays in 2024/25.
But what if we told you that you could get the same tropical vibes without any long passport lines or the risk of Bali Belly?
READ MORE: 'The one filter I always use when looking for holiday accommodation'
Nothing beats a tropical holiday - but it's even better when it's just a short flight away. Tourism and Events Queensland
For Australians seeking a sun-soaked and laid-back holiday right here at home, Cairns is emerging as a great alternative to Bali.
With its chill vibes, palm-lined streets, beachfront dining, and an array of accommodation options from luxury to budget, the Queensland holiday spot is a viable stand-in for the Indonesian island.
So if your passport is about to expire or you really can't be bothered dealing with the hassle of visa paperwork, perhaps a holiday to Cairns could be on the cards?
Anyone who's been to Bali - or anywhere in Southeast Asia - knows that a major drawcard is the cost factor. Yes, Cairns is definitely going to be a more expensive holiday than Bali.
But there are ways to explore the coastal city on a budget.
READ MORE: The best Aussie destinations that deliver Euro summer vibes in spades
A trip to Cairns doesn't have to be expensive. Tourism and Events Queensland
The main place you'll be spending money is on accommodation, so look for low-cost options like holiday parks.
Big4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut makes a great base for travellers to Cairns who want a budget-friendly holiday.
With waterslides and mini golf on-site, if you've got kids, then there are half your activities planned already.
A holiday park is a good way to save money. BIG4
For the rest of your itinerary, there are plenty of Bali-adjacent experiences you can try out, from island hopping to rainforest retreats.
READ MORE: The best New Zealand spots to add to your itinerary if you're visiting the north island
Get up in the air
Bali is famous for sunrise hot air balloons over Ubud's lush rice paddies, and Cairns offers a similar adventure over the Atherton Tablelands - soaring above rainforest, farmland, and rolling hills as the sun comes up.
Take a day trip to the reef. Tourism and Events Queensland
Swap beach clubs for Palm Cove
Bali's Seminyak is famous for beach clubs, sun, and laid-back dining - and Palm Cove offers the same vibe, with blindingly sunny beaches and cafés right on the sand.
Jump on a boat
Bali's island escapes, like Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, are snorkelling and beach havens. Cairns offers the same at Fitzroy and Green Island, with snorkelling, swimming, and pristine beaches to rival Bali's.
Trade in temples for a traditional experience
While Cairns doesn't have the Hindu temples of Bali, it has a deep, ancient spiritual connection to the land. Take a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge, where you participate in a traditional smoking ceremony with a Kuku Yalanji guide.
Wandering through the rainforest while learning about sacred sites and traditional plant medicine offers that same "spiritual grounding" that many Aussies seek when they head to the hills of Bali.
The Daintree is spectacular. Tourism and Events Queensland
Explore the rainforest
In Bali, people flock to Ubud for luxury villas perched over the Ayung River and lush jungle views. And in Cairns, you're perfectly located to explore the world's oldest tropical rainforest, the Daintree. Similar jungle vibe, but with an 180-million-year-old World Heritage rainforest instead of rice paddies.
Take a drive
Swap Bali's Uluwatu drive for Cairns' Great Barrier Reef Drive - beaches, coastal cafés, and adventure await from Cairns to Port Douglas or all the way to Cape Tribulation, a full day's drive of around 4–5 hours one way.
There's plenty to explore along the coast. Tourism and Events Queensland
Hit the river
White water rafting through the jungle is a staple Bali day trip. The Cairns swap is a trip to the Barron River, which offers a half-day "jungle" rafting experience that feels remarkably similar to the Ayung River near Ubud: drifting through dense rainforest and tackling rapids.
