Bali's new Creative City is the best way to tackle the region as a family

With light shows, butterfly gardens and drinks by the pool, does it really get better than this?

As far as most Aussies are concerned, Bali is good for two things; its endless beaches that provide luxury on a budget, and the coupling of its laid-back attitude and vibrant nightlife which mean you can down a few cocktails in thongs at any time of the day.

Venturing off the beaten path means you get to see a lot more of what Bali has to offer.

But, now you don’t have to go too far at all to see the best of the best, with all of it now wrapped up into one convenient precinct that has just opened to visitors for the first time - Nuanu Creative City.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.

Oshom Bali. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

RELATED: Why every family needs to take a trip to Tropical North Queensland

Bali like you’ve never seen before

If you had asked me a few weeks ago what Nuanu Creative City was, I would have told you I had no idea. And, honestly, my answer after going there myself is pretty similar - only because the real question is, what isn’t it?

Nuanu sits across 44 hectares along the captivating coastline of Tabanan, a regency located 20 minutes from Canggu.

I first arrived within Nuanu’s borders at around midnight on Friday night, after about an hour in the car with one of the team’s drivers.

I’d never been to Bali before, so he showed me all the city’s sights before we transitioned from the stereotypical hustle and bustle - characterised by weaving bikes and bright lights - to the tranquil paradise of Oshom Bali.

Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

Oshom Bali is just one of the accommodation options at Nuanu. A luxury, boutique hotel, it should have come at no surprise that I was given a cold towel upon arrival, nor that my bags were swiftly whisked away to my room. But, for some reason, the sheer impressiveness of the room itself left my jaw on the floor.

You might be thinking, ‘Cassidy, you just finished 8 hours of travelling, surely you’d be impressed by any comfortable bed at that point?’. The vlog I sent to all my friends the moment I was left alone said otherwise.

At Oshom, I stayed in one of the Ocean Suites, complete with a meditation space, huge standalone bath, and a walk-in wardrobe (with a disco ball). It felt like the perfect combination of art and technology, with sculptures and a creative table to keep me occupied, as well as tablets to control all of the lights, locks and curtains.

While Oshom Suites are primarily designed for two guests, extra beds can be added to all 11 suites to suit any size family for a small fee - you just have to ask. The Nuanu Suites also include a two-bedroom stay if you need a little more room, or if you're planning on having grandparents, aunts and uncles tag along, you can book the Shell House.

My room also had a balcony providing panoramic ocean views, which continued as I headed down to the restaurant directly downstairs for breakfast the next morning. And, whilst hotel restaurants often cop some flack, I can’t say the same about this one - my brioche French toast was to die for, as were all my juices and mocktails over the course of the weekend.

The Magic Garden. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

Building your itinerary

Nuanu’s aim is to create an ecosystem where innovation thrives and connections are formed, meaning that the list of things to do and see without leaving its borders is truly endless. And when I say that, I really mean it - despite being open to the public, Nuanu is and always will be a ‘work in progress’ of sorts (hence the name, Nuanu, which means 'in the process').

My first stop on a sunny Bali Saturday was to the Magic Garden.

Nuanu’s Magic Garden is one of its biggest initiatives in environmental education and biodiversity. The space consists of multiple greenhouses, the Butterfly Garden, the Botanical Gallery and Orchid Galore, each showcasing rare and native plants for visitors to get a real sense of Bali’s best parts.

But, the highlight for me was the Biota Lab.

The latest addition to the area, the Biota Lab is a space for scientists to breed local insects and give them the best possible chance at survival.

As a big kid myself, I was equal parts enthralled and terrified holding a stick insect and letting butterflies go into their larger enclosure - making it the perfect stop for nature-lovers of all ages.

Lumeira. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

If you’re looking to tap into the more relaxing parts of Bali, Lumeira is a must-do.

Also on-site at Nuanu, it’s a social wellness complex offering everything from cold immersion pools, to the world’s largest wood-fired thermal steam dome, and a series of treatment rooms for massages and facials.

I spent about two hours here filling my cup, but you could easily spend far longer. There’s even a bar and restaurant so you can grab a drink or a bite to eat by the pool.

Kids aren’t generally allowed inside Lumeira, so in the meantime, they can be dropped off at Jungle Kids - Nuanu’s in-house kids club and daycare where you can book your little ones into activities, run by qualified educators, via their WhatsApp. 

Labyrinth. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

In addition to these, there are plenty of workshops and activities taking place all over Nuanu.

You can head to the Artist Village for a woodworking workshop, take a dance or yoga class, or see a show inside Labyrinth’s art gallery or performance space - all of which you can get to via Nuanu’s internal shuttle service.

If you do feel like leaving Nuanu (although of course, there’s really no need), I recommend heading 10 minutes away to Tanah Lot, home to one of Bali’s most important landmarks - Tanah Lot Temple - famous for its offshore setting.

I went during the day to beat the crowds, but the real show is at night, where you can watch a breathtaking sunset over the temple, while dining at one of the area’s many restaurants.

Tanah Lot Temple. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

Nuanu at night

If you know anything about Nuanu, it’s probably because you’ve seen this woman’s face (below) somewhere on TikTok. A local taxi driver told me on the way back from Tanah Lot that it had gone completely viral - and for good reason.

She and her counterpart, who make up ‘The Earth Sentinels’ by South African artist Daniel Popper, are the main event of Nuanu’s media installations, which light up the precinct every night.

In addition to this must-see sculpture, guests and visitors can make their way through Aurora Media Park any time from 6.30pm onwards, to view a series of interactive art installations - think Sydney’s Vivid, but intertwined in a Balinese jungle.

‘The Earth Sentinels’ by South African artist Daniel Popper. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

This experience is truly a must-see if you’re coming to Nuanu - it’s the epitome of everything they aim to do.

But, I will say, wearing enclosed walking shoes (and having your phone torch at the ready!) is a must throughout Aurora Media Park. Nuanu doesn’t cut down or destroy any of the jungle’s landscapes to make the light installations happen, which is beautiful to see, but does mean you might be met with some uneven footing and stray tree branches.

At the end of your walk, you need to stop by Luna Beach Club.

Luna was by far one of my favourite places in Nuanu. Not only is it home to the Tri Hita Karana Tower Light Show, it’s also a restaurant precinct home to some of the best food I have ever had.

Whilst I couldn’t stop off at all of them (if only there were more days in a weekend), Restaurant 369 was a clear stand-out. If the architecture isn’t enough to impress you, the menu definitely will be.

Just around the corner, you’ll find a beer garden and an ice cream shop, before finishing up at the main stage - an amphitheatre-style venue with beach views, perfect for family dining by day, and a party by night.

Luna Beach Club. Image: Supplied / Cassidy Pearce.

The best way to do Bali

If you’re planning a family holiday to Bali, I couldn’t recommend Nuanu more highly.

It’s a unique way to get a sense of what Bali is really about, in workshops and initiatives run by members of the local community, whilst also being wowed by the technological and scientific innovations right on your doorstep.

One thing that really stood out, though, is how attentive the staff were.

No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, someone onsite is always available to help you, whether it’s in person or over a WhatsApp message.

And really, what’s more luxurious than having that part of the planning taken off your plate?

The writer was a guest of Nuanu Creative City but highly recommends it for families. 

Originally published as Bali's new Creative City is the best way to tackle the region as a family