Bali doubles down on demolishing hotspot
It’s just a matter of time until one of Bali’s most iconic hotspots – and an Aussie favourite – is no more as authorities double down on demolition plans.
As one of Bali’s most iconic surf and tourist hotspots undergoes demolition, authorities have hinted at what might replace the more than 40 businesses along the famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu.
What was constructed over five decades will soon be no longer as construction begins to tear down buildings that have been deemed “illegal”.
Viral footage shows authorities destroying bars with hammers and breaking through locked doors – the home and workplace of more than 300 locals.
The hotspot has also been the go-to location for Aussie surfers and backpackers withnews.com.au aware some Aussie travellers have had their bookings voided as the demolition begins.
It comes as Indonesian authorities deemed the buildings to be illegal and in violation of planning laws, environmental regulations and to be encroaching onto state-owned land.
“The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that’s it,” Bali’s governor, I Wayan Koster told reporters last week.
“We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged.”
He said after the demolition, they will assess “what we can do there”.
“Bingin Beach is a prime beach. I’m sure that once it’s renovated, it will become an attraction, whether it attracts surfers or something else,” Mr Koster said.
“At the very least, tourists will want to come, and it will contribute to the wellbeing of the local community.”
Widespread speculation suggests the removals may be linked to plans for luxury beach club development, similar to those popping up throughout the Uluwatu area in recent years, though this is denied by authorities.
Footage shows Mr Koster wielding a sledgehammer outside the luxury Morabito Art Cliff boutique hotel as he took the first ceremonial swing in the government-issued demolition.
Condemned buildings include timber warungs (food sellers), bars with distinctive Javanese joglo-style roofs, and more contemporary accommodations, built into the escarpment on the Bukit Peninsula.
Local workers can be seen crying as dozens of officials get to work dismantling the properties.
Ombak Warung Bingin, a small, family-owned business, argued authorities “destroyed hundreds of people” and have left them unemployed.
“Why the rush? Why couldn’t you have given us more time? Intimidation, pressure while we try to pack up,” they said in an Instagram post.
“Local, Families, Generations are affected. Tourists came for the Warungs and this unique beach. Where is the JUSTICE!
“Why couldn’t there have been a better solution we are all Human and who decides what is right and wrong. Where is the Concrete going to go?”
Business owners – including Australian expats – argue the structures predate planning laws, many constructed under the island’s traditional adat laws, which give control to the village.
One Australian owner, who was warned that foreigners could be deported or jailed for joining protests against the demolitions, admitted the legitimacy of rental agreements was always in question, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported.
“We always knew Bingin could be taken away – that’s part of what kept it humble. But we didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” said the owner, who asked to remain anonymous.
Some of the more than 300 locals affected filed a lawsuit against the Badung Regency government.
According to the AFR, those bringing the case argue that priority should be given to Balinese adat law, under which many Bingin business owners were granted informal approval or written permission to operate.
After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with desperate business owners attempting to halt the demolition orders, authorities put their foot down.
“It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,” head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters, as per the Bali Sun.
“We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.”
Uluwatu’s Bingin Beach has been a pilgrimage site for surfers since the late 1970s, with Australians making up a significant chunk of repeat visitors, and even expats.
The beach’s world-class barrelling lefts and laid-back atmosphere have made it a go-to within the global surf community, with the breaks Impossibles and Bingin.
The demolition notices, issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages, affect 45 buildings, including villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities.
“We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimise the reason for ignorance during the execution process,” Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media.
Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa said authorities will follow through on the mandate by the Bali Provincial Government despite widespread public outcry.
“Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land. So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land,” Regent Arnawa stated, according to the Bali Sun.
Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater is among those voicing concern on social media.
“Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?” he said.
“Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years.
“I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.”
Bingin Beach is only reachable via steep staircases weaved through the cliffside buildings marked for demolition and the state of future beach access is unclear.
– with Jack Evans
‘Learn from my mistakes’: TV star’s Paris fail
Aussie TV star Catriona Rowntree has shared the one thing she does the moment she lands in a country – and also the biggest mistake she made in Paris.
Ugly truth about Australia’s favourite holiday
You’ve seen these locations dominate your social feeds and dreamt about visiting for years – but sometimes the hype doesn’t match the holiday.
Wild 5pm scenes, Sydney’s new craze erupts
One of Sydney’s smallest suburbs has become both a tourist and fishing craze – and there is one reason why.