Lately, you have likely read in the news of another Australian man who was found dead in Bali. These tragic tales have been sweeping through the Aussie media, and many travellers are wondering if their favourite tropical destination is now safe. As more than a million Aussies fly to Bali annually, one should know what is actually going on and how you can keep yourself secure during the holiday.
Late Cases of Australians being killed in Bali
The last year has witnessed some tragic events involving Australian tourists in Bali. These have been cases of suspicious death to unfortunate accidents, both of which point to various dangers that a traveller can encounter in the Indonesian island.
Suspicious Death by Byron Haddow
The case of one of the most disturbing recent incidents concerned 23-year-old Byron Haddow of Queensland, whose body was discovered in a villa plunge pool in Seminyak in May 2025. The fact that his body was repatriated to Australia without the heart, which Indonesian forensic doctors had held, made this case especially unsettling.
Chantal, the mum of Byron, thinks something wrong has happened in this case as her son was 178cm tall, and he was a good swimmer, but was found in a pool that was only 150cm deep. The autopsy showed that he had high traces of alcohol and antidepressants in his system, as well as a blunt trauma to the head. His death took four days before it was reported to the police, and three Australian witnesses who were with him that night were given the privilege to leave Bali without questioning.
The Seminyak Hotel Fall
A 47-year-old Australian man fell off a fourth-floor balcony at The Haven Hotel in Seminyak and died in July 2022. According to witnesses, there was screaming and banging of windows approximately 15 minutes before the man fell. The footage of the CCTV showed the man stumbling into his room alone before the incident.
The Villa Shooting
The most outrageous event must have happened in June 2025 when Zivan Radmanovic, a 32-year-old in Melbourne, was shot to death in a villa in Munggu Beach. The shooting that left another Australian injured also involved two gunmen who came on a scooter in the middle of the night. The scene had 17 bullet casings discovered by police. Three Australians have since been accused of premeditated murder, which is punishable by the death penalty in Indonesia.
The Hero Who Drowned
Not all Australian deaths in Bali are cases of suspicious death. In October 2024, Craig Laidley, a 56-year-old man from Perth, died saving a general tourist who had been carried away to sea at Balian Beach. Craig was caught up in the strong currents after he had successfully rescued the 29-year-old swimmer. The following day, his body was discovered one kilometre away from where he had gone.
The Australian Deaths in Bali: How common is it?
Though these stories are outrageous, one needs to put them in context. Statistics indicate that 39 to 59 Australians are killed in Bali every year. Between May 2015 and May 2016, 59 Australians were killed in Bali and 121 were hospitalised due to serious injuries or illnesses.
These figures may seem scary, but when you take into consideration that more than 1.2 million Australians go to Indonesia every year (Bali being the most popular destination), the risk is not so high. In January 2025, alone, 139,577 Australians had been visiting Bali.
The primary reasons behind fatalities and severe accidents by Aussies in Bali are:
- Alcohol-related incidents
- Drug-related problems
- Traffic accidents
- Drowning
- Natural causes
What Smart Traveller Says About Bali’s Safety
DFAT is now advising Australians to exercise a high level of caution when travelling to Indonesia (including to Bali). It does not imply that you should not know about the dangers and take reasonable precautions.
Latest warnings have pointed out:
- Unpatrolled beaches have the risk of drowning owing to harsh sea waves and high rip currents.
- Alcohol spiking and Bar methanol poisoning.
- Threats of terrorism in the regions where Western tourists are aggregated.
- Indonesian rivers and lakes (Crocodiles).
- Passport problems – travellers have been rejected on the grounds of water damage or a tear on passports.
The Australian Traveller Safety Tips
Stay Smart with Alcohol
There are numerous cases of Aussies in Bali that are alcohol-related. Be careful about:
- Always leave your drinks unattended.
- Seeing your beverages being served.
- Not going to sketchy bars with a bad reputation.
- Knowledge of the toxications of cheap spirits by methanol.
Beach and Water Safety
The beaches of Bali may be beautiful, and also dangerous:
- Swine are only on patrolled beaches.
- Be so careful of rip currents and rough waters.
- Do not go swimming alone, particularly after taking drinks.
- Look before you leap into the water.
Accommodation Safety
Select the place to stay wisely:
- Reviews are read before a reservation.
- Ensure that rooms are well-equipped in terms of safety.
- Be wary of your roommates.
- Always lock the door, even when at home.
Transport Safety
Deaths on the road in Bali are the norm and are on the rise:
- Ride in registered taxi companies or a ride-hailing app.
- A helmet when riding a scooter (it is the law)
- Have the right insurance, which includes scooter riding.
- Never ride when you are drunk.
What to Do When a Person is Killed in Bali
In case of the worst, when an Australian is killed in Bali, it is important to follow the following steps:
Immediately contact:
- Local police (Polisi)
- Australian Consulate-General Bali: + 62 361 2000 100.
- The hospital in which the individual died.
What the Australian Government can assist with:
- Knowledge of local processes of law.
- Giving lists of funeral directors and lawyers.
- Repatriation cost advice.
- Assisting in dealing with media queries.
What they can’t do:
- Investigate the death
- Pay for the funeral/repatriation.
- Suggest certain funeral companies.
- Translate documents
Notable: Repatriation may be costly, as well as complicated. Travel insurance is necessary because it tends to cover the expenses and procedures that are entailed in the transport of a loved one back home.
Travel Insurance Is Necessary
Bali tours cannot do without comprehensive travel insurance due to the risks. Make sure your policy covers:
- Hospitalisation and medical crises.
- Repatriation of remains
- Riding scooters (when applicable – most of the policies do not include this)
- Adventure activities
- The robbery and personal jewellery.
Repatriation of a body back to Bali or Australia may cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The Bottom Line: Is it Still Safe to Visit Bali?
Millions of Australians visit Bali annually without any headlines, even though the headlines are tragic. The key is being knowledgeable, being attentive, and making intelligent choices. The majority of the situations can be avoided using simple wisdom measures such as controlled alcohol consumption, staying in decent hotels, and avoiding dangerous behaviour.
It is no wonder that Bali is the most favoured foreign destination to Australia – it is right there, cheap, and with breathtaking natural scenic beauty and rich culture. All you need to keep in mind is that you are not in your home country, where there are no such things as laws, standards, and risks.
Travelling Pre-travelling Action Plan
Before you head off to Bali:
- Register at smartraveller.gov.au so that the government can get in touch with you in case of an emergency.
- Take out a full-scale travel insurance policy and check the policy.
- Read the most current travel advice on the DFAT website.
- Your Australian Consulate contact number is 100: +62 361 2000 200.
- Copy your passport and other valuable papers.
- Share accommodation and travel plans with family and friends.
- Install useful apps such as the Smartraveller app.
Above all, use your instincts. When it does not feel right or safe, leave the place. Although the cases of Australian men killed in Bali are tragic and alarming, being informed and aware of it will go a long way to making your holiday to Bali the best, and all the reasons.
