Aussie school leavers have been warned to brush up on a popular tourist island’s local laws to stay out of trouble amid graduation festivities.
In a matter of weeks, high school exams will come to a close across Australia and Year 12 students are looking to let their hair down after months of gruelling studies.
Hotspots for ‘Schoolies’ include the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, which are both preparing for the traditional influx of partygoers, but many young Aussies are also expected to travel further and celebrate in Bali, Indonesia.
With more than 8,000 new Aussie graduates expected to hit the island, travel experts have warned to keep the lesser known rules of the island in mind to make sure their trip is hassle-free,
Travel insurer at Insure&Go David Mayo said school leavers should remember the local drinking laws while on the island and that they are not the same as Australia.
‘I think a lot don’t fully realise some of the legal risks they face when drinking while travelling overseas, given Bali’s alcohol consumption minimum age is 21,’ he told Yahoo.
He said while the country is a magnet for western tourists, travellers should read up on the dangers before they fly.
‘Bali has its own set of hazards. Whether it’s protecting from the tropical heat and dengue-carrying mosquitoes or dealing with cheeky monkeys snatching belongings, being prepared,’ Mr Mayo said.
Aussies on holidays in Bali should remember the local rules when it comes to motorbikes
One travel insurer warned Bali’s drinking age is 21 ahead of schoolies season in Australia
He also suggested school leavers stay off motorbikes when looking for transport options around the island.
‘While it seems like a convenient and fun way to get around, schoolies can get caught out as they don’t realise their insurance might not cover them unless they’re properly licensed and wearing a helmet.’
Just this month Indonesia announced a crackdown on tourists who overstay their holiday visas.
Their Department of Immigration launched Operation Jagratara which saw 125 officers deployed across Bali to catch tourists breaking visa conditions and broader laws in general.
Crimes that previously would have seen tourists jailed for six months to a year will now be punishable by ten years or up to a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
Earlier this month Bali unleashed about 125 officers to monitor tourists’ conduct on the island
Drinking alcohol is frowned upon in most of Indonesia but is big business in Bali (stock image)
School leavers in Australia flock to a host of idyllic destinations including Byron Bay, Bali and the Gold Coast
Earlier this year, Bali Governor Wayan Koster sought to introduce powers to crack down on ‘bogan’ behaviours.
Around the same time the Bali Tourism Board shared a campaign post reminding tourists to ‘show respect’ for the island’s rich culture.
‘For everyone’s safety, comfort and mutual respect, we ask you follow some common sense rules,’ their poster read.
Tourists should remember to wear helmets whenever they’re riding a motorbike, with a fine of roughly $25 the cost of non-compliance.
The tourist board also asked travellers to ‘avoid drunk and indecent behaviour in public,’ adding, ‘some countries are getting a bad reputation for this’.
It also warned tourists against wearing revealing items of clothing or sharing untoward social media posts.
‘Do not post offensive, vulgar pictures to social media … Confine skimpy beachwear to appropriate venues.’
While Bali is more relaxed than other parts of Indonesia, the country is still highly conservative and predominantly Muslim.
The Bali Tourism Board also warned longer-term travellers working without the appropriate visa is ‘strictly prohibited’ and said undercover immigration officers are working to catch non-compliers.