Indonesian protesters call for 'war with Australia' over phone-tapping scandal as Aussies warned of danger

VIOLENT protesters have called for war over the phone-tapping scandal amid new warnings for Australians in Indonesia.

VIOLENT protests erupted outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta with flags burnt and calls for war over the phone tapping scandal as the government issued a warning against travelling to Indonesia.

As the Indonesian spy crisis entered its fourth day, hundreds gathered in Jakarta carrying signs with the words "Merah" meaning "red" and sprayed red pain on the front wall of the embassy.

Relations between Jakarta and Canberra have plunged to dangerous levels following revelations Australian spies tapped the phones of the Indonesian president, his wife and ministers.

At the protests, one banner held by protesters read: "PPM, GM, FKPPI Ready!!! War with Australia.''

Protesters at the front of Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Picture: Tri Saputro

Another banner was hung on the overpass near the compound, demanding an immediate apology from Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

"If Abbott still not apologise to us, President could make more harsh action."

A protester from Pemuda Panca Marga, a group which represents the children of veterans, said Australian citizens in Indonesia would be targeted unless an apology was forthcoming.

"Within 24 hours, if the Australian government does not apologise, we're ready to attack this place. We're ready to (target) Australians."

Protesters burn a paper Australian flag in front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Picture: AAP

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its travel advice for Indonesia and warned Australians to monitor local media, avoid protests and maintain vigilance because of the crisis.

About 910,000 Australian visited Indonesia in 2012, making it the country's second most popular tourism destination after New Zealand.

DFAT says there are 4456 Australians registered with its Smartraveller service in Indonesia, with many more also in the country.

Protesters at the front of Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Picture: Tri Saputro

The number of Australian visitors in Indonesia are also set to grow as Schoolies celebrations ramp up in Bali and the Christmas holidays begin next month.

Irene Leben has just returned from a week-long trip to Bali, during which the worst of the spying allegations came to light.

She said while the revelations were featured prominently on the front page of the Jakarta Post and other national newspapers, ordinary Balinese were more interested in welcoming Australians than denouncing them.

"When I arrived a week ago and picked up the Jakarta Post and saw there was this dispute, I thought 'oh'," she said.

"(But) Honestly, there were no problems about being Australian at all.

"I never had a comment by anyone, the service was always really good and people were really nice," she said.

Australian tourists Fiona Howard, Julian Tydd and Kyle Miller enjoy Kuta Beach, Bali.

Kyle Miller, Julian Tydd and Fiona Howard, from Port Macquare, arrived in Bali two days ago.

Mr Tydd said he was concerned the spying revelations would damage relations between the two countries.

"Australia should apologise," he said.

"It is important to keep our relationship with Indonesia."

While potentially serious, Indonesia experts believe the current downturn in Indonesia-Australia relations is still far removed from the heated tensions that followed Australia's championing of East Timorese independence in 1999 or the fear sparked by the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings.

Instead, they say tourists have little to fear from the increasing rift between the two governments.

"It certainly has made front-page headlines in Indonesia and it's certainly something that people are aware of, but I don't think there are any concerns for tourists on the ground," Dr Ross Tapsell from the Australian National University said.

"Tourism will operate as normal. People in Bali won't have any problems. Tourism is very important to the local economy.

"I'm certainly not worried about an overreaction by Indonesians," Dr Tapsell said.

Travel companies say they are experiencing normal demand for trips to Indonesia for this time of the year, while airline bookings remain strong.

Flight Centre general marketing manager Colin Bowman said Australians were "resilient travellers" who were not going to let a diplomatic slanging match put pay to their holidays.

For the latest travel warnings and information, visit the Smartraveller website.