Everyone's heading to Bali, but this tropical island is cheaper and less crowded.

Depending on the last time you visited Bali — and where you went — you might have a very different recollection of your experience than the next person. 

While the island remains at the top of the list for Aussies seeking a tropical getaway (recent data from Webjet showed a staggering 45% year-on-year increase for people booking flights from Australia to Denpasar), there's no denying that issues like traffic have had an impact on general holiday vibes, particularly post-Covid. 

As a result, Bali-loving travellers are looking for alternatives, and the spotlight is shifting to some of Indonesia's less well-known travel destinations. 

One island that fits the bill? Flores. 

A lesser Sunda island dividing the Flores and Sawu seas — and famous for its prehistoric-looking Komodo dragons — Flores boasts the same white sands, pristine snorkelling conditions and relaxed vibes that draw so many to its more famous sister. 

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Getting to Flores is as simple as a 70-minute flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo. You can usually nab these for around AUD$70, though volcanic activity in the area has sometimes made travel unpredictable in recent years.

Flores' sleepy main street is like a time capsule of the Bali of yesteryear, with quirky cafés and bars to explore, and a handful of resort and hotel options to enjoy. But with signs of construction all around, it's clear that the rush to meet a growing tourist market is well underway.

Image: supplied.

"It's Bali, but 15 years ago," said Jess Boxtel, a Queensland woman who travelled to the island late in 2024.

"It's much cheaper than Bali, and while there is no nightlife as such, there are some beautiful little bars and restaurants, and stunning resorts."

Travellers with a taste for eco-travel will not be disappointed here, either. The big ticket is Komodo National Park, but it's only the beginning of the natural wonders just waiting to be explored.

Book a day tour to the unmissable nature reserve to spot the carnivorous reptiles up-close (some are 10 feet long and weigh in at over 150kg) before diving into a choose-your-own adventure of tropical island treasures. 

Iridescent blue lakes that sit cupped in the craters of ancient volcanoes? Kelimutu has you covered. 

A blue stone beach pebbled with duck-egg coloured rocks, smoothed to cartoonish proportions by the restless sea? Head to Pantai Batu Biru.

Then, there's the rainforest-fringed beaches, gin-clear water and pristine diving conditions that have been drawing the attention of underwater enthusiasts for years. 

Accommodation ranges from the high-end (Ta'aktana, Marriott's offering in Labuan Bajo, offers dreamy over-water villas and swim-up bars) to the rustic and eco-friendly, like Riung's Loca Lobo Lodges, where bamboo huts overlook the water and archipelago beyond.

Image: supplied.

For food, don't miss the rooftop dreamscape that is Taba, a sushi restaurant perched high above the sea. There, you can take in views across the verdant peaks of neighbouring islands, before heading for a cocktail at Paradise Bar, which is the place to take in the sunset. 

Image: supplied.

Aussies might never fall out of love with Bali — and nor should they — but as far as chilled-out alternatives go, it's worth looking into Flores for your next mini-break abroad. 

Feature image: Supplied.