The resort-island of Bali in Indonesia may be one of the top tourist destinations in the world because of its beaches and a favourite holiday destination for Aussies, but it could also be one of the most dangerous places for them.

According to data from the Foreign Affairs Department, one Aussie tourist dies in Bali every nine days. The basis of the department's warning is the 39 Australians who died in Bali in 2011-12.

Besides the death, 93 more Aussies asked for consular help after they were hospitalised, another 36 were arrested, 18 were imprisoned and eight were attacked.

DFAT said among the major causes of ailments or hospitalisations among young Aussie tourists were motorbike accidents and fights in nightspots. The department noted the rise in cases involving young male travelers in the age group 20 to 30 and with mental health issue. Among the arrested Aussies in the last 12 months, all were males and were detained for offences such as drugs, domestic violence and theft.

A spokesman emphasised that travel insurance policies cover the rider and other passengers if the motorbike rider has a valid motorbike licence.

Bali was also the site of terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005 which was the cause of the death of hundreds of foreign and local tourists as well as the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami which claimed the lives of thousands in 2004.

Bali is one of Indonesia's 33 provinces located between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It welcomes more than 2 million tourists yearly, with Australians topping the lists of visitors to the resort awarded by different organisations as the top island-resort in the world.

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