East Java accommodation from AU$29

East Java has amazing sights for the adventurous traveller: billowing volcanoes surrounded by swirling morning mist, a stunning blue lake in a crater, and Hindu temples overlooking white sandy beaches. Although the capital Surabaya is a buzzing big city with plenty of places to dine, it’s the natural landscape that really makes the trip worthwhile. Browse our range of great hotel deals for East Java and get ready to indulge in a feast for the eyes and heart in Indonesia.

Things to do

East Java is Java’s least populated province, but that just adds to its appeal. The Tengger Massif is a dramatic complex of five volcanoes clustered around a mother crater. It’s surrounded by the black sand of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and it’s the perfect place to snap a stunningly beautiful picture at sunrise. Although smoky Semeru is Java’s highest mountain, Mt Bromo is the most famous. You can hike 7,641 feet to the summit and see its magnificent crater, or go horseback riding on the surrounding plains.

Maybe you’d prefer a volcanic crater with a stunning blue lake in the middle? Head to the Ijen Plateau, where you’ll find the crater lake is such a lovely shade of greenish-blue that it’s easy to forget that it’s a lake full of very acidic water. Pleasant to look at, but keep your distance! The lake is surrounded by brownish-red rocks sprinkled with yellow sulphur.

Baluran National Park, based around Mt Baluran, is 250 square kilometres. Almost half of it is savanna, but there are also forests and mangroves. On Balekambang Beach, an exotic Hindu temple on a small island is connected to the mainland by bridge. It’s a popular beach for a swim, but if you want something different you can head to Alas Purwo for some surfing action or Meru Betiri, where turtles show up on the beach at night to lay eggs.

Spend some time in Surabaya and you can check out the restaurants and cafes and tuck into some seafood, traditional Indonesian fare or delicious vegetarian cuisine. One of the most unique attractions is the Arab Quarter, which leads to a historic mosque. Stay in Malang, East Java’s second largest city, for beautiful beaches and temples, or pay a visit to a smaller district like Jember or Pasuruan.

Getting here

Our flights to Surabaya will take you to East Java’s main transport hub. You can hire a car in Surabaya, although when you take the traffic there into account, it’s probably easier to ride the buses. They’re available from Surabaya to Mt. Bromo or one of East Java’s other destinations. Make some new memories in the Indonesian wilderness by booking your East Java accommodation with us. Start by browsing our range of cheap hotels!

Image credit Moch Nesha AR under Creative Commons