Central Sulawesi
Tentena’s pretty covered 210m bridge marks where Danau Poso (Lake Poso) ends and Sungai Poso (Poso River) begins its journey to the coast. V-shaped eel…
Must-see attractions in Sulawesi
Makassar
Spread across two buildings inside Fort Rotterdam, Museum Negeri La Galigo has an assortment of exhibits, including palaeolithic artefacts, rice bowls…
Central Sulawesi
The 42-sq-km Tanjung Api (Fire Cape) is home to anoa (pygmy buffalo), babi rusa (wild deer-like pigs), crocodiles, snakes and maleo birds, but most people…
Togean Islands
Fascinating freaks of evolution, the jellyfish that have long floated in this lake without predators have gradually lost their ability to sting, making…
Makassar
Once the most formidable fortress in the archipelago, Somba Opu was decimated by the Dutch in 1669, then consumed by the Jeneberang River delta. One…
Sulawesi
An impressive 25m-long tongkonan building known locally as a Banua Layuk (high house) is a historic chief’s place with colourful motifs. This is one of…
Makassar
Pantai Losari is a kilometre-long beachless promenade that stretches south to Masjid Amirul Mukminin, the 'floating mosque'. It's a good place to catch…
South Sulawesi
Pantai Panrang Luhu is a coconut-fringed affair north of the ferry pier in Bira village. Pinisi ship builders operate under the cliffs on the north end,…
Sulawesi
This friendly Bajau village can occupy an hour or so of wandering between the houses on stilts, though the boardwalks are rapidly being replaced with back…
Tana Toraja
Rows of tongkonan also house several workshops of traditional weavers who are happy to demonstrate their handicraft. A variety of fabrics are on display…
South Sulawesi
Bira's main beach, just west of the village centre, is a glimmering crescent of white sand that is usually pleasant on the weekdays but gets packed with…
Sulawesi
A couple of stores sell traditional fabrics in this roadside village that bills itself as the centre of Mamasa weaving. The path up the hill from the…
Sulawesi
Osango is the site of tedong-tedong (tiny structures over graves that look like houses), which are supposedly up to 200 years old. There are lots of paths…
Tana Toraja
On the outskirts of Rantepao, just off the road to Makale, Karassik holds an interesting array of obelisks moved here by the Dutch from Lantangin in 1906 …
Manado
The 19th-century Kienteng Ban Hian Kong is the oldest Buddhist temple in eastern Indonesia and it has been beautifully restored. The temple hosts a…
Tana Toraja
High on the mountainside, this collection of rock tombs is unique for its location: bored into the sides of a giant round boulder about 3km northwest of…
Tana Toraja
Ten kilometres south of Rantepao, off the Rantepao–Makale road, Tilanga is a quiet, natural cool-water swimming pool. You can swim, but don’t be surprised…
Sulawesi
Nine kilometres southwest of Bau Bau, the nearest white-sand beach is the attractively palm-lined Pantai Nirwana, though like most beaches in the area, it…
Tana Toraja
Perched on a hilltop above boulder-strewn rice terraces, this small village with anachronistic street lights makes an excellent jumping off point for…
North Sulawesi
Danau Linau is a small, highly sulphurous lake that changes colours with the light, and is home to extensive birdlife. Take a mikrolet to Sonder, get off…
South Sulawesi
This small former palace houses one of Indonesia’s more interesting regional collections, including an odd array of court memorabilia. You may have to ask…
Central Sulawesi
Several homestays in Napu Valley make it a good base of operation for exploring the eastern side of Lore Lindu. A handful of megaliths in nearby villages…
South Sulawesi
A seasonally spectacular 100m-tall waterfall set amid rice fields 4km south of the town of Malino. It's easiest to get there via ojek (from 10,000Rp).
Public Museum of North Sulawesi
Manado
This museum features a large display of traditional costumes, and an exhibit illustrating traditional pottery-making. There are captions in English.
Sulawesi
A collection of wooden coffins shaped like boats and buffalo. Further up the road at Buntu Balla, traditional weavers can often be found working.
North Sulawesi
Here master craftsman build stunning Minahasa-style wooden homes to be disassembled and shipped to their new owners.
Makassar
A seemingly forgotten and rather dilapidated collection of local artefacts is housed in an impressive example of traditional Sulawesi architecture: the…
Central Sulawesi
Get away from it all at this pleasant and peaceful mountain lake on the edge of Lore Lindu National Park – at least until it's mobbed on the weekend. It's…
Tana Toraja
A thriving traditional village bursting with tongkonan (many new) just 5km northeast of Rantepao makes for a fine, relatively flat, excursion from town…
Makassar
This tiny island, a 10-minute ride (return 40,000Rp) from Makassar harbourfront, was getting a much-needed facelift when we last visited. It's rammed with…
Sulawesi
Some 500m beyond the citadel’s south gate is a cultural centre and museum in a restored old mansion-palace. On display are items from the court and lots…
Makassar
Rising above the sea on concrete pillars, this small but stylish twin-domed 'floating mosque' enjoyed better sunset views (and cleaner waters) before…
Central Sulawesi
Around 20km southwest of Tentena, this golden beach by the lake has great swimming with a water temperature of around 26°C year-round. There's a…
North Sulawesi
On the northwestern outskirts of Gorontalo, this ruined Portuguese fort is on a hill overlooking Danau Limboto. The ruined remains include three simple…
South Sulawesi
A 1km hike ascends 80m up a service road to Telkomsel towers and sweeping vistas of the cape. Look for the sign for Pua Janggo off the main road 500m…
South Sulawesi
This small but lively market is held in the village every two days, attracting locals and their wares from surrounding islands.
Sulawesi
This pebbly beach, 21km southwest of Bau Bau, is a favourite of locals for swimming.
North Sulawesi
A sandy beach 10km south of town blissfully devoid of hawkers and warung.
