ESCAPE ROUTE

GETTING THERE

Most airlines fly direct from the east coast of Australia to Bali’s International Airport at Denpasar. From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the domestic terminal where you can connect with a number of low-cost carriers for an easy 30-minute flight to south Lombok. From Australia’s west coast, there’s even some direct flights to Lombok itself. The drive to north Lombok from the airport takes 1½ hours with most hotels offering transport.

STAYING THERE

Hotel Tugu Lombok’s villas, suites and bungalows are all furnished with the owner’s own antiques. Wander the grounds, choose an oceanfront suite with private pool and book a traditional Sasak massage. tuguhotels.com The Oberoi Beach Resort Lombok is utterly opulent, with some of its spacious rooms and villas having private pools. Have a Balinese massage in the Oberoi Spa’s open-air, thatched therapy rooms or take a day trip out to the neighbouring Gili islands. oberoihotels.com

DOING THERE

A&T Holidays offers tailored tours on Lombok and surrounding islands. Options include snorkelling, surfing, climbing Mt Rinjani, hiking, waterfalls, secluded beaches and villages. lombokandbeyond.com Lombok Wildlife park has recently rebranded to reflect a new responsible tourism philosophy. Elephant rides are now banned in this park where guests are encouraged to interact with the elephants through feeding and mud baths. lombokwildlifepark.com

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