Travelling to Bali from Australia with Kids Checklist

Planning a tropical family getaway from Australia to the Island of the Gods? Bali remains Australia’s top international destination for families, offering warm hospitality, family-friendly resorts, and incredible cultural experiences.

However, navigating official entry requirements, digital arrival forms, and kid-specific travel logistics can quickly feel overwhelming. To make your family trip seamless, Aussie Bucket List has put together the ultimate, step-by-step checklist for travelling to Bali with kids—covering everything from mandatory paperwork to airport shortcuts and family survival essentials.

Key Entry Requirements at a Glance

• Passport: Must have at least 6 months’ validity remaining from your arrival date and be free from tears or damage.
• Visa: Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) online prior to departure, or Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Denpasar airport (approx. $50 AUD per person, including infants).
• Tourist Levy: IDR 150,000 (~$15 AUD) per person via the official Love Bali portal.
• Arrival Declaration: Complete the integrated All Indonesia Declaration Form online within 72 hours of departure.
• Proof of Departure: Confirmed return ticket back to Australia or onward destination.

1. Official Entry Requirements & Digital Paperwork Checklist

Completing as much documentation as possible before you step onto the plane will save you significant time at Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) with tired kids in tow.

Passport Check

• 6-Month Validity Rule: Every family member (including newborns) must hold a passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry.
• Passport Condition: Indonesian immigration is notoriously strict regarding passport physical condition. Check every page for water damage, minor tears, or lifted laminate. A tiny tear on the photo page can result in boarding refusal in Australia or deportation upon arrival.

Indonesian Tourist Visa (e-VOA vs. VoA)

Every Australian citizen requires a 30-day tourist visa to enter Bali. You have two options:

1. Option A: Pre-apply online for an e-VOA (Recommended for kids 6+). Apply online via the official Indonesian Immigration portal prior to travel. Automated Airport Gates (e-Gates): Travellers aged 6 years and older who pre-purchase an e-VOA and carry an electronic passport can use the automated e-Gates at Denpasar Airport to bypass manual immigration queues.
2. Option B: Pay Visa on Arrival (VoA) at the AirportIf traveling with children under 6 years old, you will need to go through manual immigration lines anyway. You can easily purchase your VoA at the designated airport counters upon landing using Australian dollars (cash) or credit card.  

Bali Tourist Levy

• Cost: IDR 150,000 per person (approximately $15 AUD).
• How to Pay: Pay online prior to arrival via the official Love Bali government website/app. Save a copy of the receipt and QR code to your phone or print a hard copy.  

All Indonesia Arrival Declaration

• Timing: Complete online within 72 hours before departure.
• Details: This integrated digital form combines customs declarations, biosecurity, and health declarations into a single submission.
• Outcome: You will receive a QR code upon submission. Take a screenshot or print a copy for every family member to scan at customs after collecting your luggage.

2. Health & Family Safety Preparation

Keeping the kids healthy ensures everyone enjoys the holiday. A little forward planning goes a long way toward preventing "Bali Belly" and managing tropical heat.

4 - 6 Weeks Before Flying

• Doctor Visit and Vaccinations

- Routine Aussie Immunisations are up to date

- Discuss Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Rabies

• Pack Family and Medical First Aid Kit

- Childrens Panadol and Nurofen

- Electrolyte sachets and probiotics

- DEET insect repellent and antiseptic cream

• Travel Insurance Activation

- Ensure policy covers medical evacuation

- Add ride-share / scooter protection

Essential Health Checks

• Water Safety: Tap water in Bali is not potable. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing baby bottles/teats.
• Probiotics & Hydration: Start taking a daily travel probiotic a week before departure to help prime stomach flora. Keep child-friendly electrolyte hydration powders in your daypack.
• Sun & Insect Protection: Tropical sun and mosquitoes are active year-round. Apply high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen and insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin at dawn and dusk.
• Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Ensure your insurance policy explicitly covers all family members, pre-existing conditions, emergency medical evacuation, and flight disruptions.

3. Money, Connectivity & Airport Hacks

Smart Spending: Cash & Cards

Carrying a smart mix of payment methods ensures you are never stuck, whether paying for a quick coconut on the beach or a fine dining experience. We recommend traveling with around $200 AUD in physical cash for immediate expenses, paired with a fee-free international debit card (such as Wise or Revolut). Use cash for local markets, tipping, small warungs (traditional eateries), and driver tips, while saving your card for hotels, shopping malls, and larger restaurants.

Mobile Connectivity & Navigation

Having active data the moment you step off the plane makes navigating a busy terminal with kids vastly easier. Pre-purchasing an eSIM before departure allows your phone to connect instantly upon landing in Denpasar. Alternatively, you can pick up a physical local SIM card (Telkomsel offers the most reliable coverage across Bali, or check TravelKon Bali eSIM plans) at the airport terminal. Reliable data gives you access to real-time maps, messaging with drivers, and emergency contacts on the go.

Arrival Transfers & Getting Around

Nothing tests a parent's patience quite like negotiating taxi rates outside an airport with exhausted, jet-lagged children. Bypassing the crowd by pre-booking a private airport transfer through your resort or a trusted service ensures a dedicated driver—and, crucial for young kids, a pre-arranged child car seat—will be waiting for you in arrivals.

Once you are settled at your accommodation, download Gojek or Grab on your phone. These South-East Asian super-apps function just like Uber, making it seamless to book fixed-fare private car rides or have kid-friendly food delivered straight to your villa pool.

4. Packing Master Checklist for Kids

Use this targeted packing list when organizing suitcases for your trip:

Carry-On Essentials

• Passports, flight tickets, and hotel confirmation vouchers.
• Printed/digital copies of e-VOA, Love Bali Levy QR code, and All Indonesia Declaration QR code.
• Spare change of clothes for every family member (in case of spills or baggage delays).
• Snacks (muesli bars, crackers, formula, baby food pouches).
• Noise-cancelling headphones, tablet loaded with offline movies/shows, and charging cables.
• Empty reusable water bottles (fill them after passing security in Australia).

Checked Baggage & Daily Essentials

• Clothing: Lightweight, breathable cotton clothing, swimsuits/rash vests (2–3 per child), hat, and UV swim shirts.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or sandals plus slip-on thongs/water shoes.
• Sun & Bugs: Reef-safe high-SPF sunscreen, after-sun aloe vera, and tropical-strength insect repellent.
• Baby Gear: Lightweight travel stroller with large sun canopy, structured baby carrier (ideal for temples and uneven sidewalks), and swim nappies.
• First-Aid Kit: Children's Panadol/Nurofen, digital thermometer, band-aids, antiseptic cream, rehydration salts, antidiarrheal medication (for adults), and prescription medications in original packaging.

Quick Summary Table: Family Travel Checklist

2 to 3 Months Before Flying

Start by conducting a thorough check of everyone’s passports. Ensure every family member—including newborns—has at least 6 months of validity remaining from your planned entry date and that no pages show water damage or minor tears. This is also the ideal window to lock in comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation, pre-existing conditions, and flight disruptions for the whole family.

4 to 6 Weeks Before Flying

Book a consultation with your GP or a specialized travel clinic to review routine immunisations and discuss recommended vaccinations for Bali, such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Use this time to gather prescription medications in their original packaging and assemble a dedicated family travel medical kit stocked with children's pain relievers, rehydration salts, and tropical-strength insect repellent.

1 to 2 Weeks Before Flying

Take care of your primary entry paperwork online by applying for the electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) via the official Indonesian immigration portal. Around this time, you can also log on to the Love Bali portal to pre-pay the mandatory Bali Tourist Levy (IDR 150,000 per person) and download the payment QR codes to your phone.

Final Days Before Departure

Within 72 hours of your flight, complete the integrated All Indonesia Arrival Declaration online to generate your customs and health QR codes. Three to five days prior to leaving, pre-book a private airport transfer with a child safety seat to avoid arrival hassles in Denpasar. Finally, 1 to 2 days before takeoff, set up an eSIM on your primary mobile phone and download local transport apps like Grab and Gojek so you are ready to navigate smoothly the moment you land.