'This lesser-known island is like Bali but without the tourists.'

Bali is a beloved holiday destination for many Aussies for good reason. But, if you're reading this, I'd guess you either love Bali and have watched it get busier each year and are missing the 'old Bali', or you're in love with the idea of Bali but can't get past the crowds and 'touristy' feeling.

Lucky for you, I know just the place to check out instead. 

Watch: But first… we asked Aussies about the dos and don'ts of modern travel — because whether you're flying to Bali or beyond, the armrest wars are real. Post continues below.

I'm currently spending two months exploring Indonesia at the end of a year-long jaunt around the world and I think I've found one of the least shared gems here. Not only does this spot have significantly fewer crowds, you can also find incredibly budget-conscious options for food, accomodation and tours. And, most importantly, it's absolutely beautiful and home to the friendliest, kindest locals. 

During my time in Lombok I experienced quiet beaches, not a lick of traffic, and true peace and tranquillity. Here's everything you need to know about planning your trip to Lombok. 

Where is Lombok? 

If you pull up Bali on a map and scroll a little to the right, you'll find Lombok. A small island punctuated on one end by Indonesia's second-largest volcano, fringed with reefs all around, perfect beginner surf breaks and dotted with islands with water so blue you'll need to do a double take. 

How do I get to Lombok? 

There are currently no direct flights from Australia to Lombok, unlike Bali. But, don't fret: it's still ridiculously easy to get there. Either fly to Bali and catch a connecting flight to Lombok's airport or take a ferry from Bali to Lombok. It takes about 2–3 hours depending on the kind of boat you take and is a really straightforward journey end to end.

I personally flew from Java to Lombok because of the route I was taking and then took the ferry on my way out to Bali and can confirm either flying or taking the ferry is a piece of cake. 

If you're taking the ferry, I recommend starting your journey in the Gili Islands, but we'll get to that later. 

Ferry from Bali. Image: supplied.

Where to stay in Lombok. 

Lombok is small but mighty with endless options of where to stay. When you're planning your trip it can feel overwhelming to pick an area to settle on. I took one for the team and spent around three weeks exploring Lombok to demystify the best places to stay based on the type of holiday you're interested in. 

For island living.

Without a doubt, my favourite place in Lombok was the Gili Islands, a teensy string of islands made up of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. The islands are 10–15 minutes by fast boat from the shores of Lombok, or, if you're arriving from Bali, it's a roughly 3-hour ferry. Boats from Lombok run every hour. The small islands are totally car-free and you can circumnavigate each island in under an hour on foot. Plus, each island is surrounded by ridiculously blue water that is teeming with turtles and beautiful coral reefs. 

To the Southwest of Lombok you'll also find the Secret Gilis. These are much more remote, essentially free of resorts, and require hiring a local to take you over on their boat or book a snorkelling tour. For first timers, I recommend opting for the more famous Gilis and spending your days snorkelling and enjoying the cafés and Warungs. But, if you're up for an adventure, you must add the Secret Gilis to your list. 

Gili Islands. Image: supplied.

For surfing.

Kuta Lombok (no, not the Bali Kuta!) has the feel of Bali 10 years ago. Think beach-side Warungs, crowd-free beaches, zero traffic and surf breaks galore. If you're looking for a surf trip (or a trip where one of you can surf and the other can still enjoy swimming at the beaches!), Kuta Lombok is the place to be. Join a surf camp, rent your own board, or just relax on the beach with a book and an out-of-office. You can even rent scooters here complete with surfboard holder attachments. While being a surfer's paradise, Kuta is still family-friendly. 

For beachy resorts.

If your idea of a holiday is finding a luxe (but affordable) resort with a private beach and breakfast buffet, add Senggigi to your list. This area of Lombok has calm, wave-free beaches that alternate between white and black volcanic sand and quiet, private resorts from low to high end. If resorts aren't your thing, don't worry: I stayed in a budget hotel the street back from the beach in a huge room with hot water, Wi-Fi, mountain views and a gorgeous pool area for just $40 a night — including daily scooter hire.

Senggigi is quieter than Kuta Lombok but still has restaurants, shopping and breathtaking sunset spots galore. 

The Alma sunset bar on Pandanan Beach. Image: supplied.

Things to do in Lombok.

The experiences on offer in Lombok are so diverse. One day you could be scaling Indonesia's second-highest volcano (Mt Rinjani) and the next you could be hanging ten on Kuta Lombok's beginner friendly surf breaks. These were my favourite things to do on Lombok. 

Swim with turtles.

To be honest, I've completely lost count of how many turtles I swam with during my time at Lombok. The limit does not exist. 

In Senggigi, head to Nipah Beach. Here, the beach is lined with Warungs (cafés) that offer Indonesia's equivalent of a sunbed, little huts along the beach offering full coverage from the sun. There are so many that choosing one can be hard. I opted for one that was renting snorkels, which seemed to be the right call. The owner didn't just tell us where to find the turtles; he actually swam out with us!

The turtle magic on the Gili Islands is even more spectacular, though. I spent my time at Gili Air and found fabulous accommodation (Juliantos by the Sea) right on Turtle Beach which included a free mask, snorkel and fins. From our accommodation, we'd take the few steps into the water and immediately see upwards of 10 turtles each time without even trying to look for them. If you're staying elsewhere or just visiting the island as a day trip, most restaurants and bars along Turtle Beach will offer snorkel hire for no more than $2. 

Juliantos by the Sea. Image: supplied.

Beach hop. 

The beaches in Lombok are breathtaking. Here, clear, bright blue water meets black and white sandy shores fringed with palm trees. To the north of the island follow the coastal road from Senggigi and you'll discover breathtaking beach after breathtaking beach. Nipah Beach, Malimbu Beach and Pandanan Beach were my favourites for calm waters, lazy ocean dips and snorkelling.

Make sure you find yourself by the beach for sunset, too. My favourite part of my Lombok daily routine was walking from the beach into a sunset bar to have a Bintang as the sun set over the water. Down south, closer to Kuta Lombok, Mawun Beach was a quiet cove hugged by cliffs with the bluest water ever. Next door, Tampah Beach was somehow even quieter and had calmer waters.

Nipah Beach and Pandanan Beach. Image: supplied.

Surf. 

Whether you're a complete beginner or a long-time surfer, southern Lombok has a surf break for everyone. Kota Lombok is absolutely buzzing with surf camps and retreats. I'm totally not a surfer so I didn't partake, but I did get FOMO whenever I saw a group of them in the water laughing as they caught waves together. Tanjung Aan is the place to surf. The wide, relatively shallow bay is perfect for longboarders. If you're an old pro, you may have heard of Desert Point (right by the Secret Gilis). Beloved by pro surfers, the waves here can get big, but they're a surfer's dream destination for a reason — all the more reason to add Lombok to the list for your next trip. 

Mountains and waterfalls.

Mt Rinjani is the second-tallest volcano in Indonesia and one of the reasons many travellers visit Lombok each year. Fair warning: hiking to the summit is tough. You're literally climbing up volcanic ash and sand with each step forward turning into a step back. So, only add this one to your list if you're experienced. I skipped this from my itinerary, but I did enjoy watching the sunrise over the volcano from the beach on Gili Air each day. 

There are multiple shorter and less challenging hikes you can do around the mountain as well, some of which include waterfalls.  A much easier alternative is to visit Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls. These waterfalls are fed with mountain water flowing down from Mt Rinjani and are truly a sight to behold. The water flows through mossy rocks, creating the illusion of multiple waterfalls. 

The fried fish at Nipah Beach. Image: supplied.

Things to know before you go to Lombok.

• You need a visa to enter Indonesia. You can apply online beforehand or purchase a 30-day visa on arrival at immigration in Indonesia. 

• Indonesia is an archipelago, so each island is surrounded by open seas. That means the boat journey between Bali and Lombok can be rocky depending on your luck with the weather. Pack travel sickness medication and avoid the speed boats if you get seasick. I travelled from Lombok to Bali with Ekajaya and can easily recommend them.  

• Lombok is a Muslim-majority island so dress respectfully around the island and avoid wearing your bikini in town.

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Feature image: Supplied.