Secret surfing escapes of the Pacific Ocean
Ditching our local frigid waters and heading to warm tropical islands is what we’re all about. Sure the surf at home is pumping in winter, but I’ll take tropical waves and boardies over a wetsuit any day. If the usual suspects like Bali and Fiji are driving you nuts with crowds, here are some options ...
Mister Zimi opens in North Bondi
Looking for somewhere to spend your hard-earned Christmas dollars? Bali-based label Mister Zimi have opened their first Sydney boutique just up the road from our headquarters in North Bondi. Started by Melbourne designers Zoe and Jim Paul, the label has marked its arrival with a resort collection titled ‘Utopia’. Shot amongst the lush surrounds of Ubud ...
Surfing in Uluwatu, Bali
Bali is an island for everyone. Families spend their hard earned savings at a relaxing resort around Nusa Dua or Seminyak, hard-partying twenty somethings descend on the beaches, hotels and nightclubs of South Kuta, while the dedicated surfers migrate to the southern peninsula of Uluwatu. Each year, this renowned area attracts thousands of advanced surfers ...
Alila Villas, Uluwatu
Overlooking the Indian Ocean on a cliff top plateau, Alila Villas Uluwatu is the perfect backdrop for your island escape. Internationally recognised for architectural design, each villa maximises space, texture and the views are plentiful. With a contemporary design, each villa has blended the traditional Balinese intricacies of wood, rattan and stone. They have taken ...
Bali’s Bukit – Surfing Heaven and Hell
Bali’s Bukit (meaning peninsular) has long been the top destination for the world’s surfers. Away from the hustle of downtown Kuta, you’ll frequently see cows on the side of the road and unforced smiles from the locals. With names like Uluwatu and Padang Padang offering a raft of challenging waves breaking over razor sharp reef. ...
Gilinta, Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan has long been a party island destination for backpackers and young travellers alike. There are no police on the island, so Gili T governs itself. Mushroom milkshakes are proudly advertised and you’ll be offered weed, often before you get to your hotel, it’s just that kind of place. The main harbour has more ...
Villa Devatas, Bali
My friend had been talking about the full moon party on Gili Trawangan for the last five months, but within 30 minutes of arriving at Villa Devatas that plan had gone to hell. We had only planned to stay one night before heading off to the Gilis at the crack of dawn, except that after ...
Balian, Bali
If you’re into beaches with blinding white sand and clear aqua water, then Balian is probably not your thing. But if you like consistently good surf, sparkly black sand and the nasi campur of your dreams, then you’re going to want to pay Balian a little visit. Located halfway between Kuta and Medewi, Balian still ...
The Bali Trip
After a cold snap in Sydney in this week, an exhausting five days of fashion last week and no work booked in next week, I made a spontaneous decision to follow the summer to Bali. So for the next two weeks, This Island Life will be coming to you from tropical beaches, fabulous poolsides, balmy ...
Tarita Canopy Bed
Nothing says tropical holiday quite like a Balinese canopy bed. With its simple clean lines and warm teak wood, it’s not hard to imagine it draped in soft cotton netting. This one’s been handcrafted in Bali by the local and international design team at Tarita Furniture, who I’m pretty sure don’t ever wake up on ...
