Gold Coast woman recounts terrifying moment in Indonesian earthquake

A GOLD Coast mother of three has described the horrific moment cracks began to appear in the walls of their family hotel room in Indonesia, as a magnitude seven earthquake ripped through the tourist destination.

A MOTHER of three has described the spinechilling moment cracks began to appear in the walls of their family hotel room in Indonesia.

Queensland woman Michelle Davies, 41, was out for dinner in Kuta with her three children when a magnitude 7 earthquake shook the tourist islands of Lombok, Bali and Gili islands on Sunday night.

Michelle Davies' hotel room in Legian.

Michelle Davies was on holiday with her three children when the earthquake struck.

The powerful earthquake has left 98 people dead and 236 severely injured.

The epicentre hit just north of the island of Lombok — but also caused widespread damage across Indonesia.

“We were standing around the pool area and next thing the ground was shaking, buildings were swaying, people screaming, chairs and tables went everywhere,” she said.

“We all went to stand in an open area to be safe from any falling debris.”

Michelle Davies with her family in Legian, Bali.

Ms Davies, an aged care worker, and her family had just returned to their room at the Grand Kuta Hotel and Residence in Legian when a second tremor occurred.

“Our building was shaking and swaying,” she said.

“Cracks appeared in our bedroom walls and around the hotel walls.

“By this time me and the kids were very scared, crying and physically sick.”

The Upper Coomera resident said the quake and its after shocks has left her three children, aged 12, 14 and 18, rattled.

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“We are still on edge and very jumpy at certain noises and things,” she said.

“We are physically OK. But mentally no.”

Ms Davies tried to organise an early flight out of Bali — but like many other Australian tourists found themselves stranded.

“We did try to get a flight out Monday night but it was booked out till (sic) Wednesday and flights were $1000 each,” she said.

The family are booked on a flight to Australia on Thursday.

She said her thoughts are with the people of Lombok.