Bali is taking a page from Queensland’s playbook, with plans to give its most popular beach areas a distinctly Aussie-style revamp.
Inspired by the pedestrian-friendly layout of the Gold Coast, leaders in the island’s Badung Regency – which includes hotspots like Kuta, Legian, and Canggu – are aiming to reshape the tourist experience along the island’s famous coastline.
Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, says the goal is clear: make the region more walkable, safer and more accessible for tourists and locals alike.
One of the major features of the initiative will be a Kuta Beach promenade modelled on the Gold Coast’s beachfront walkway.
“We will arrange pedestrian access from the Pantai Jerman coast to the north so tourists can walk or exercise along the beach,” Regent Arnawa told local media.
“So it becomes a plus for tourists who stay in Kuta. Like in Gold Coast, the pedestrianised areas are wide and comfortable.
“We have checked several lands that can be used for that. Easily by 2026 it can be realised.”
According to The Bali Sun, Arnawa said the Aussie city’s mix of footpaths, beachfront shopping, surf zones and shaded strolls has set the benchmark for Bali’s beachside facelift.
In Kuta and neighbouring Pantai Jerman, local authorities are also engaging beachfront businesses to ensure changes benefit everyone.
Beyond improved pedestrian access, the revitalisation plan includes better lighting, improved shade, underground cabling and even new breakwaters to help combat beach erosion – all part of a bigger push to future-proof Bali’s beach tourism.
“The arrangement of this coastal area is important for the comfort of all. Not only tourists but also local people who use the beach for spiritual and cultural activities,” Arnawa said.
In addition, he flagged growing congestion issues in Kuta and said revitalising the area with better traffic management is a top priority.
“We hope that many tourists will celebrate New Year’s Eve along the beach, such as in Kuta,” he told reporters.
According to the Sun, the transformation of the area is already underway, with officials promising minimal disruption to travellers.
Bali’s beachfronts aren’t the only areas looking to improve the overall visitor experience. Travelling through Bali’s Denpasar Airport has also recently become easier after the Indonesian gateway introduced a streamlined departure process for visitors.
Indonesia, led by Bali, remains the most popular overseas destination among Australians. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that the Southeast destination accounted for 15 per cent of all international journeys, with 149,080 Aussie visitors in May.
