Bali News｜September 17, 2026

✈️ TransNusa Expands Australian Routes! Daily Direct Flights from Melbourne to Bali Starting October 19

Bali and Australia are set to gain another flight option. TransNusa has announced it will operate daily direct flights from Melbourne to Bali starting October 19, 2026, further expanding its presence in the Australian market.

This route is significant for Bali’s tourism sector, as Australia remains one of the island’s largest overseas source markets, and Melbourne is a key Australian travel hub. TransNusa is also introducing a new Premium Plus service, with introductory fares starting from AUD299.

For travelers from Taiwan, the biggest takeaway from this news isn’t just another route—it’s that Bali is becoming an increasingly important aviation transit hub in Southeast Asia.

TransNusa has also launched a new Premium Plus service, with introductory fares starting from AUD299.

For Taiwanese travelers, the real significance of this news is not that ‘there’s one more route from Taiwan,’ but rather:

Bali is becoming an increasingly important aviation hub in Southeast Asia.

If airlines improve their transfer connections in the future, Bali could become more than just a final destination—it might also serve as a transit hub for travelers heading to other cities in Australia.

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🏞️ Northwest Bali Launches a 4-Day, 3-Night Hiking Route! Traverse National Parks, Mangroves, and Coral Reefs

If you’ve already been to Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud and are looking for a completely different side of Bali, here’s an exciting travel update.

Astungkara Way has announced the upcoming Northwest Bali Trail, a route stretching from Pemuteran to West Bali National Park. Covering about 16 kilometers, the journey is designed as a 4-day, 3-night small-group experience.

This isn’t your typical ‘walk and sightsee’ trail.

The itinerary combines:

Forests, farms, mangroves, coral reefs, community culture, and conservation activities.

In addition to hiking, travelers will take part in coral reef restoration, mangrove planting, and a ranger-led nature observation inside West Bali National Park.

The company is now accepting bookings for November, with a maximum of 10 people per group.

If your Bali travel guide aims to introduce ‘a different side of Bali,’ this route is worth noting.

It offers a completely different experience from the resort-style tourism in South Bali.

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🐒 Wild Monkeys Frequently Invade Farmland in Nyalian! Klungkung Authorities to Collaborate with BKSDA

In the Nyalian Village of Klungkung, Bali, troops of monkeys have been frequently entering farmland recently.

Local residents report that groups of long-tailed macaques often raid agricultural fields, causing crop damage and distress to some villagers.

Klungkung BPBD has received a request for action from the village government and stated it will coordinate with BKSDA (the Natural Resources Conservation Agency) to address the issue.

Authorities note that the problem is not easy to handle, as these are wild animals with large numbers and constantly shifting activity ranges.

This has little impact on most tourists, but if you visit rural areas, temples, or forests around Klungkung and encounter monkeys, keep these tips in mind:

Do not feed them, do not tease them with food, and do not get too close for photos.

Especially don’t treat all wild monkeys as tourist attractions just because some famous temple monkeys in Bali seem ‘used to visitors.’

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🧂 Kusamba’s Traditional Sea Salt Industry in Crisis! Farmers Halt Production Due to Declining Sales

The Kusamba traditional sea salt in Klungkung, Bali, is facing an awkward situation.

Just today, while French tourists made a special trip to Kusamba to learn about traditional salt-making methods and buy local sea salt, some local salt farmers have stopped production due to fewer buyers and poor sales.

Kusamba sea salt is made using a very traditional method, employing salt troughs (palungan) made from coconut wood and evaporating seawater under the sun.

Another detikBali report today noted that a French couple specifically traveled to Kusamba because they were interested in this traditional salt-making process, eventually buying 2 kilograms of local sea salt at 50,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram.

This is actually a phenomenon worth pondering for the tourism industry:

Tourist interest doesn’t guarantee the survival of a traditional industry.

If Kusamba sea salt could be integrated into cultural tourism, experiential activities, and the souvenir market in the future, it might give this traditional industry a new lease on life.

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👮‍♀️ International Women Police Conference Next Week in Bali! Representatives from 75 Countries to Gather in Nusa Dua

This is a news event worth noting for travelers starting tomorrow, not an event that has already ended.

The International Association of Women Police (IAWP) 2026 Annual Conference will be held from September 20 to 24 at the Westin Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali.

This international conference will bring together police and law enforcement personnel from around the world, with official data showing participation from 75 countries, under the theme ‘Women Leading Global Change.’

Indonesian police have already made advance security arrangements.

The conference venue is located in Nusa Dua, so if you happen to be staying in Nusa Dua or heading to the BTDC area from September 20 to 24, you may see more police presence than usual, along with related traffic and security measures.

Unlike a large concert, this news does not mean Nusa Dua will be closed off or that tourists cannot enter—rather, security will be tighter during this international conference.