Who buys Indonesian property on Kinnara
Australians are by far the largest group of buyers for Indonesian property on Kinnara, the marketplace I founded in 2021. Around 85% of the people buying in Indonesia through the platform come from Australia. Singapore is our other strong market.
With a share that large, understanding how Australians think about buying overseas is a core part of my job. In my view the practical questions matter most: how a foreigner can own, how to get there, and who looks after the property while the owner is back home. Behind all of them sits a simpler one, which is why Indonesia at all. That is what this note is about.
The near north idea
The Australian Financial Review ran a story in March 2026 on Australian investors turning to the near north to spread their property holdings. Near north is a long-standing Australian phrase for the countries just above us on the map, with Indonesia closest of all.
The idea behind the story is straightforward. Many Australian investors have most of what they own tied to one economy and one property market. Some want part of their money somewhere else. I'm describing what buyers tell us, not making a recommendation. Whether it suits anyone depends on their own circumstances and advice.
Why Australians buy property in Indonesia rather than further away
Three things come up again and again.
Distance. Indonesia is close. From Perth or Darwin, Bali is nearer than Sydney. Bali and Lombok also run on Central Indonesian Time, the same clock as Perth, so calls with an agent or a builder happen in normal hours. Owners can visit often, check on their property and use it themselves.
Familiarity. Australians have been holidaying in Bali for generations, and Australia is one of the biggest sources of foreign visitors to the island. A buyer who has spent holidays there already knows the airport, the food and the way things work. That lowers the barrier to buying.
New routes. Since the new direct services began, you can fly to Lombok from Perth and Darwin without changing planes, and Singapore is linked too. For Western Australians and Territorians, that puts Bali's quieter neighbour one flight away.
I knew Bali from family holidays as a boy, long before I did business there. I've now spent about 15 years working in Indonesia, and I speak the language. That background is why I understand both sides of the conversation.
Why Lombok is getting attention
Bali's best coastal land is largely taken, and prices reflect it. Lombok, the next island east, has similar beaches with far less development.
Statistics Indonesia counted 2,382,008 visitor arrivals to Nusa Tenggara Barat in 2025, a 47% jump on the year before. Nusa Tenggara Barat is the province that includes Lombok. Government investment is following, with Mandalika's Special Economic Zone and new air links. My page on why I build on Lombok sets out the case in full.
Our own resort, Saraya Beach Resort & Residences in Sekotong, is one of the Lombok projects listed on Kinnara. Kinnara markets it under a contract with Kinnara Capital, on the same footing as any other developer.
Before an Australian buys in Indonesia: the differences
Familiar doesn't mean the same as home. A few differences catch people out:
- No freehold for foreigners. Buyers take a leasehold or hold a building right through a PT PMA company. My note on HGB title in Indonesia explains how that works, and the foreign ownership page covers the wider rules.
- Documents in Indonesian. Certificates, permits and contracts are in Indonesian. Use an independent notary and a lawyer who acts only for you.
- Rental income isn't guaranteed. Tourism can stop suddenly, as the pandemic showed. I wrote about that in my note on running Bali villas through COVID.
- Check the developer. Off-plan buyers should check the company, its directors, the land and the permits before paying. My checklist for off-plan buyers goes through it step by step.
How Kinnara serves Australian buyers
On Kinnara, an Australian buyer sees prices in Australian dollars. Each enquiry is passed directly to whoever holds the listing, whether an agent or a developer, and our concierge team helps with shortlisting and questions along the way.
Investor webinars are one of the ways buyers find us. They give people a chance to ask questions before they get on a plane.
Kinnara markets property and never signs the sale contract. That is done by the buyer and the seller, and agents pay us no sales commission, which I explain in why Kinnara charges no commission. You can search the listings at kinnara.asia.
This note is general information only. It is not legal or financial advice.