About Us
Bali is not just a destination. For many, the mere mention of the island evokes a sense of escape, beauty, and culture. But for those who truly know it, Bali is far more than a tropical holiday. It is a mood, an addiction, and an overpowering sense of belonging. It is one of the few places in the world where you can genuinely lose yourself and, in doing so, find clarity again. The culture, the atmosphere, and the warmth of the Balinese people create an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
The Bali Bible was created by Simon te Hennepe and Lani te Hennepe, born from their shared love for Bali and a frustration with how poorly the island was represented by traditional travel guides. More than sixteen years ago, long before social media dictated travel decisions, Simon and Lani began documenting their own experiences in Bali purely for themselves.
It started as a simple PDF. Each visit added another layer of insight. Favourite cafés they returned to again and again. Villas that felt special rather than staged. Beaches that still felt untouched. Restaurants worth planning a day around. Cultural rituals that grounded them and shifted perspective. That document was never meant to be public. It was simply their personal way of doing Bali properly.
Friends began asking for it. Then friends of friends. The guide spread quietly, shared because it was trusted. There were no paid placements, no generic recommendations, and no recycled content. Every suggestion came from lived experience, mistakes made, and places discovered organically. As more people relied on it, Simon and Lani felt a responsibility to keep it honest and useful.
As interest grew, the PDF reached its limits. They created a Facebook page called The Bali Bible to share places, stories, and daily inspiration from the island. There was no commercial intent and no revenue for years. They built it late at night and on weekends while working full time, driven by a belief that Bali deserved better than shallow lists and sponsored hype.
The response was immediate and organic. A community formed around a shared love for the island. Locals, expats, creatives, and frequent travellers began contributing their own insights. What started as a page became a platform, then a website and mobile experience designed to help people plan trips with clarity, confidence, and depth.
Bali itself shaped what The Bali Bible became. The island is layered and contradictory in the best way. Five-star luxury exists alongside roadside warungs. Ancient ceremony lives next to cutting-edge design. Surf culture blends effortlessly with wellness, food, fashion, and art. Above all, it is the generosity and warmth of the Balinese people that define the experience. That balance of soul and sophistication is what The Bali Bible aims to reflect.
Today, The Bali Bible is one of the most influential Bali-focused travel media brands for Australians. Its audience is travel-savvy, educated, creative, and experience-led. They return to Bali often and engage deeply with content that helps them discover new places, revisit favourites, and feel connected to the island before they arrive. Everything published is editorial-led and free to access, because trust has always been the foundation.
The Bali Bible now operates independently and is part of a joint venture with Greenpoint Media Agency, led by Ash and Nicola. Based in Richmond and Cremorne, Greenpoint is one of Australia’s leading PR and digital content strategy agencies, known for building culturally relevant, high-impact storytelling and some of the country’s most effective brand campaigns.
This partnership marks a new chapter for The Bali Bible. Together, the focus is on creating industry-leading content activations and integrated marketing campaigns that cut through without compromising authenticity. For international brands, The Bali Bible offers a trusted way to connect with Australians who have a genuine love affair with Bali. For Bali-based businesses, it provides access to affluent, relevant travellers who value quality, experience, and credibility.
Behind the scenes, The Bali Bible is supported by a close group of Bali advocates who live, work, and travel across the island. Their local knowledge, curiosity, and commitment to uncovering what truly matters help hundreds of thousands of travellers each year experience Bali more deeply and meaningfully.
The Bali Bible exists for one reason: to help people feel Bali, not just visit it. If you are planning your first trip, this is where it begins. If Bali already feels like home, you are in the right place.
