Even though most people visit Yogygkarta for the beautiful Borobudur and Prambanan temples, there are a few breathtaking places located a short drive away from the city that are worth visiting.
One such example is the spectacular Timang beach and island. A place for adventurous travelers, this destination is famous for the traditional gondola leading to the small Timang Island.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie and you like extreme sports, this place is for you! If you simply want to enjoy the view, Timang is also a great destination. A little over 100 meters away from the shore is a beautiful rocky island. Also, nearby you’ll find a few local restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious lobster.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know when planning a day trip to Timang Beach, including details about transport, other tourist attractions in the area and costs. Let’s get to it!
1. Why is Timang Beach famous?
Until a few years ago, Timang Beach was a secluded place only known by locals. The gondola was built to connect the shore to the small island and it was meant to help the locals fish lobsters. However, over the years, the word got out about this unusual mode of transport and Timang Beach was slowly invaded by tourists.
Nowadays, the Timang Beach gondola is a popular tourist attraction and many people come here to enjoy a ride in this unusual machine, operated by men.
Apart from the gondola, Timang Beach offers some spectacular views. The abrupt cliffs plunge into the turquoise water, creating a unique scenery. Also, this place is well-known for the local restaurants, offering delicious lobster dishes to hungry tourists.
Timang Island is a combination of adrenaline, delicious food and spectacular views. It’s the perfect day trip from Yogyakarta! For things to do in Yogyakarta, check out my itinerary that includes all the must-see places in the city.
2. How to get to Timang Island Gondola
Unfortunately, there is no public transport to Timang Island. I recommend hiring a private driver with a car. Usually, the prices start at IDR 300 K for 12 hours. To find a driver, ask your guest house’s owner or go to your hotel’s reception.
It’s a 3-hour drive to Timang Beach from Yogyakarta. The road is in good condition. After you reach the parking lot, you’ll have to take a local motorbike taxi for the last 3 kilometers of the road to Timang Beach. The price for a ride is IDR 50 K per person.
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These last 3 kilometers are quite challenging and dangerous. After rain, the road is extremely slippery. That’s why it’s recommended to hire a local driver.
Tip – Before heading to the beach, I recommend adding a few other tourist attractions to your itinerary. Stop at the incredible Jomblang Cave and then head to Pulang Sawal Beach.
3. What to expect at Timang Beach & Island
As soon as you arrive at Timang you’ll see a small wooden warung. After you pass the warung, you’ll see the beautiful Timang Island, also known as Pulau Panjang.
Timang Island
The island is small and rocky and is connected to the shore by a bridge and a gondola. If you’re too scared to ride the gondola, you can choose to cross on the bridge. However, if the wind is powerful, crossing the bridge will be tricky.
Once you reached the island, you can enjoy the views. Don’t forget your camera home!
Timang Beach
Make sure to also visit the beautiful Timang Beach while in the area. Most of the beach is rocky, but there is a small part covered in sand. Timang Beach is one of those beaches still untouched by humans. It still preserves its natural beauty.
Timang Gondola
Honestly, the gondola doesn’t look like it’s still working. However, its improvised system still works today and the locals make sure to keep it safe for visitors.
There are locals on both ends of the gondola and they communicate through walkie-talkies to make sure that everything runs smoothly during the ride. However, if you’re afraid of heights, this gondola might be too terrifying for you.
As I said before, you can also choose to cross the bridge to get to Timang Island. The bridge is made out of wood and rope and it’s not very stable.
Good to know – the maximum weight for the gondola is 130 kg.
!!!Caution!!! – even though there were no incidents yet, the gondola is not managed by the local authorities. It’s maintained by locals, which means that it’s not 100% safe. Keep in mind that riding the gondola or crossing the bridge is at your own risk.
4. Timang Beach – entrance fees
Parking fees:
- car – IDR 5 K
- motorbike – IDR 3 K
Motorbike taxi to get to the beach – IDR 50 K per person. You can also choose to take a jeep for IDR 350 K (max 4 people).
Gondola ride:
- locals – IDR 150 K
- international tourists – IDR 200 K
Crossing the bridge – IDR 100 K per person
Good to know – the beach is open 24/7, but the gondola is operating only from 9 AM to 5 PM
5. Where to eat a delicious lobster
After visiting the beach, I recommend heading to one of the nearby restaurants to try their delicious lobster. You can try this restaurant (it has excellent reviews).
The Timang Beach lobster is famous for its freshness and taste. For one kilo of lobster (enough for about 3 people) expect to pay around IDR 300 K.
6. Where to stay in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is a big city, with plenty of accommodation options. I searched for the best hotels and guest houses for every budget and these are my recommendations.
- Budget – Wonderloft Hostel – good location, beautiful design, clean rooms, friendly staff
- Mid-Range – Java Villas – beautiful pool, great location, spacious and clean rooms, great amenities, quiet area
- Luxury – Hyatt Regency – excellent pool with a view, amazing restaurant, luxurious rooms, excellent amenities, beautiful gardens
7. Final thoughts
If you’re looking for an adventurous day trip from Yogyakarta, Timang Beach is the best choice. The views are beautiful, there are plenty of things to do and the gondola is an unforgettable ride.
I recommend visiting this unique place only if you spend more than 2 days in Yogyakarta. The first 2 days focus on discovering this beautiful city and visiting the famous Prambanan and Borobudur temples. If you have more time, explore the outskirts of the city and Timang Beach.
I hope that this guide answered all your questions about Timang gondola but if you want to ask me something, go to the comments section below. Also, if you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, make sure to read my Indonesia travel guide. I’ve included information about costs, transport, food and much more!
May the travel bug bite you!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!