‘Lazy’ Aussie tourists blasted for ruining Bali: ‘Going to the same island five times’

Aussie tourists have been blasted for making overcrowding worse in Bali and branded ‘lazy’ for not exploring other parts of Indonesia.

Travel content creator Lauren Larsen said there were countless other destinations across Indonesia offering stunning scenery, beaches and experiences without the crowds.

Having visited Bali twice, Ms Larsen told Yahoo the popular holiday island had become ‘so overrated’.

She pointed out Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands are a short ferry ride from Bali.

‘I just really don’t understand why we’re not going to other places in Indonesia,’ Ms Larsen said.

‘Indonesia is absolutely stunning, and there’s plenty to do and see, so are we going to the same island five times?’

More than 1.6 million Australians visited Bali in 2025, with many drawn to popular hotspots such as Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu. 

She also had a theory about why so many Australians continue to flock to the same hotspots.

‘Everyone’s just very lazy,’ she said.

Bali has spent decades as one of Australia’s most popular overseas holiday destinations.

However, increasing numbers of visitors have complained about overcrowding, pollution, traffic and crime across the island.

A poll of nearly 4,000 Yahoo Lifestyle readers found 45 per cent felt Bali had become ‘dirty and overrun’.

A further 37 per cent said tourists had ‘ruined’ the island, while just 14 per cent believed it remained ‘cheap and beautiful’.

Some have also complained that the rise of trendy restaurants and bars means Bali is no longer as cheap as it once was.

Alex Stragalinos, manager of Jamberoo Cruise and Travel, urged Australians to look beyond Bali’s best-known tourist areas.

‘There is so much beauty not being experienced by Aussie tourists,’ he told Yahoo Lifestyle.

‘Bali, in particular, is so much more than Kuta and Bintangs. I actually believe it is an awful representation of the island.’

Mr Stragalinos said the island had ‘a lot to offer’ further afield from its popular tourist hotspots. 

On his most recent trip, he travelled about two hours north-east of Canggu to hike Mount Batur, an active volcano. 

He then explored an area surrounded by waterfalls, rice plantations, beaches and temples. 

‘It honestly felt like what Ubud would’ve been like 20 years ago,’ he said.

‘Very few tourists head up that way, so the ‘luxurious feel’ of some of the other places like Canggu and Ubud aren’t there, generally speaking, but it makes up for it for the authenticity and nature offering,’ he said.

Ms Larsen also noted that other countries, such as the Philippines and Thailand, offer stunning beaches, food and rich cultural experiences that Australians should explore more.

But she believes one reason Australians stick to Bali is the longer journey involved in travelling elsewhere.

‘They don’t want to be on a flight for any longer than they have to,’ she said.