secret spots you haven't been in bali

It is no surprise that Australians fall so hard for Bali. The local cuisine is cheap, healthy and packed with flavour; the sun is a wonderful antidote to our desk-bound lives under a galaxy of strip lighting; and the natural scenery is both exotic and yet right on our doorstep.It takes five hours and 30 minutes to fly to Bali from Melbourne, but much less if you happen to call Darwin or Brisbane home.But it can be difficult in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations to feel like you are getting the local experience.Seminyak and Kuta are the leading sirens of Bali, luring Australian travellers with their beautiful sunsets, party scene and thronging beaches. It can be tempting to stay put in these hot spots, where everything is done for you and many of the attractions are within walking distance or a short scooter ride away.But there is a lot more to Bali than the well-trodden paths; here are some out-of-the-way gems that are well worth travelling for.

1.YOU LOVE THE KUTA BEACHES, BUT HOW ABOUT ..

Kuta Beach strip has long attracted sun worshippers, but it’s far from the only golden stretch on the island. Tourists in the know and expats have been heading to a handful of equally beautiful, but less crowded, spots for years.Chief among these is Gunung Payung Beach, also known as Pantai Gunung Payung, which is on Bali’s southern coast, about 30km south of Denpasar. You will need to descend several steps to reach it, but it’s well worth the labour: the waters are calm and perfect for snorkelling, and the steep stairs keep hawkers away.

2. YOU LOVE LUXURY MASSAGES,BUT HOW ABOUT..

The massages in Bali are famously cheap and plentiful, but spa lovers should also check out the island’s considerable reserves of natural hot springs.Head to the Toya Devasya natural hot springs, in Kintamani, which offer great views of Mount Batur, in Bali’s northeast, and are perfect after a day of walking or cycling. The waters are also clearer and, according to some tourists, emit less of a sulphur odour than other hot springs.Tabanan Hot Springs, in the Penatahan Village, in central Bali, are surrounded by hills, rice fields and a mountain river and are simply stunning.

3.YOU LOVE THE YOGA BARN IN UBUD, BUT HOW ABOUT ..

Only recently has the sleepy stretch of Amed opened up to tourists, and it wasn’t until 15 years ago that tarmac was even laid on the roads.Area is known as Amed, but technically it refers to a long stretch of coastal fishing villages in East Bali, stretching from Amed in the north down to Aas in the southeast.It’s become a popular dive and snorkelling spot in recent years, but the burgeoning yoga scene is also worth checking out.The Apneista Freediving and Yoga school offers classes in both freediving, and yep, yoga.