Travel Advice for Indonesia
Reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.
On 17 July 2009, terrorists detonated bombs at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta. Australians were among those killed and injured.
There is a possibility of further terrorist attacks in Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia, including Bali. In past years, terrorists have attacked nightclubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in Bali and Jakarta. In the wake of the 17 July Jakarta bombings, we judge that these types of venues in Bali and Jakarta are still targets of interest to terrorists.
Australians in Jakarta requiring consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on + 61 2 6261 3305. Australians with concerns for family or friends in Jakarta should first try to contact them directly. If they are unable to be contacted and you hold fears for their safety, you can call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135.
Credible information that terrorists could be planning attacks in Indonesia and that Bali remains an attractive target for terrorists continues to be received. You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security.
If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, you should exercise extreme caution.
Previous terrorist attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate these areas are priority targets. You should take particular care to avoid places known to be terrorist targets. Presidential elections were held on 8 July 2009. There were incidents of violence in Papua during the parliamentary elections in April 2009, including attacks on infrastructure. There is a possibility of further attacks, including on infrastructure, in the period surrounding the Presidential elections.
On 11 and 12 July 2009, fatal shootings occurred near the Freeport Mine in Papua, with one Australian killed. Further violence is possible.
Australians should avoid all protests, demonstrations and rallies as they can turn violent.
Read carefully the sections on travel to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province, Maluku, Papua and West Timor where additional safety risks exist.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed human deaths from avian influenza in Indonesia, including Bali. The Indonesian Government has declared that rabies is present in Bali.
