The Golden Plains of East Bali

A Quiet Grassland in the Shadow of Agung

Six years ago, I packed up my Sussex photography studio and bought a one-way ticket to Bali. I wanted a change from cold, drizzly English mornings, but I quickly discovered that the southern beaches were far too crowded for my liking. That was until I drove my old Suzuki jeep up to the north-east coast, carrying a camera bag and Winston, my energetic Golden Retriever, in the passenger seat.

Savana Tianyar is located in the Karangasem regency, resting right at the northern foot of Mount Agung. It is a vast, open landscape that feels completely different from the rest of the island. Whilst most tourists queue for four hours in Ubud to take the exact same photo, Winston and I spend our mornings here watching the mist rise off the yellow grasses. It is a abslute dream for photographers, and a landscape that many travellers are completely unaware of.

During the dry months, the grass turns a deep, dusty gold, mimicking the great plains of East Africa. In the wet season, the meadows transform into a lush, emerald green carpet. Winston's golden coat matches the summer grass beautifully, although his terrible habit of chasing the local grazing horses is something I am constantly apologising to the local farmers for.

Karangasem Weather Forecast

The northern coast of Karangasem is generally drier and hotter than the southern hills of Ubud. The savanna sits in the rain shadow of Mount Agung, creating a warm, breezy microclimate. Early morning temperature is perfect for exploring, whilst the midday sun can be rather unforgiving. View my live weather widget to plan your day.