Find Bira!
an interesting place to escape
In 12 August 2020 was the last time im having a short trip. I pack the things I need to have a full one day vacation. After having a rough semester and feel so exhausted, I choose to visit a-far-but-not-so-far tourism destination. So, this time I go to Bira, Bulukumba, its about 4–5 hours from town. In this trip I use a motorcycle to reach this place. Bira is located in Bulukumba, Sulawesi Selatan about 200km from Kota Makassar . Bira is a beach with a soft and white-san, not to mention we can also watch how the Phinisi Boat are made. Its is very affordable trip, satisfied, release and set you free from your daily routime for a moment.
How to reach Bira?
This route will be start from Makassar to Bira. First of all we pass through Kabupaten Gowa, Kabupaten Takalar, Kabupaten Jeneponto, Kabupaten Bantaeng, and we got Kabupaten Bulukumba. From Kabupaten Bulukumba, we will have about 1 hour to reach Bira. You will not get bored in your trip because you will see a rice field and a line of a big wind turbine generator s with a 133 meters tall and 63 meters propeller lengths. Also you will see much horses and a beach along the way in Kabupaten Bantaeng. The access are good even there’s some a road-work in Kabupaten Takalar. To reach this place you can take a motorcycle or a car since the public transportation service just in Kabupaten Jeneponto and Kabupaten Bantaeng areas. Also you dont have to worry about the accomodation and restaurant that exist because you can find a homestay, hotel, etc in Bira.
What’s to do in there?
- Swimming this beach have a clear water and a not having a big waves to surf. So its safe for everyone who want to swim here!
- Picnic sitting in a soft white-sand beach could make your picnic becomes more interesting also memorable, prepare a sarong for the padding and a food!
- Watersports banana boat sounds good to play while in the beach.
- Pinisi Boat watching how the Pinisi Boat are made. It takes about 30 minutes from the beach
Is there any other places to visit?
Yes! There’s still other destination near Bira. In my last trip I went to a place near. So dont worry if you planning to stay in here and lack of destination to visit. I would recomend to you visit other places
- Apparalang Cliff
It takes about 30 minutes to reach Apparalang Cliff from the beach. You can see the crystal-clear beach up from a cliff. The access to reach this place is not really good needs to go up and down in a non-asphalt road. There is no accommodation to stay here. For the food there’s only a small-shop called Warung near here so its best to prepare your meal before going here. You will cost a ticket entrance about Rp. 5.000 — Rp. 20.000 which is including your parking cost and entrance ticket.
- Liukang Loe Island
You can do a snorkeling and swimming with a turtle here. There’s a big and old turtle in this island and being one of attraction you can enjoy beside snorkeling. To reach this island needs to ride a boat around 15 minutes. You will cost the boat rent about Rp. 250.000 — Rp. 400.000 with the snorkeling session.
How I Arranging My Trip?
Basically its a one day trip. I go in the morning and going back after the sunset. It is not an expensive and a very-comfortable trip since it’s just my short little escape.
06.00–06.50 am : I start my trip from Makassar and had to stop in Kabupaten Jeneponto. I bring a bread with Kaya Jam and a tea in a thermos bottle. I have a breakfast besides the rice-field
07.30–09.40 am : I arrive from Kabupaten Jeneponto to the near end boarder of Kabupaten Bantaeng. I rest in Marina Beach and eat some food before continue the trip.
10.00–11.20am : I go from Kabupaten Bantaeng to the first stop destination is Apparalang Cliff. I rest and go around there, taking memorable pictures, and continue my trip
14.00pm-18.30pm : I go to Bara Beach (next to Bira Beach) and have a rest, a little picnic, enjoying the sunset. I dont take much destination and spent it a lot more in the beach because it is a one day trip with a long way in the road so I choose to rest there before get back in town.
18.20–22.10pm : I back in town with just had a one stop to have dinner in Kabupaten Takalar
22.40–23.25pm : I continue to back in town and arrive at 23.25 pm
The Budget I spent
I spent a budget in the food, gasoline, and the ticket entrance. Here’s the details:
- Gasoline : Rp. 100.000 (5 times filling)
- Ticket Entrance Apparalang Cliff : Rp. 5.000 (per person)
- Parking Cost : Rp. 5.000 (for a motorcycle)
- Ticket Entrance Bira : Rp. 10.000 (per person in a work days)
- Parking Cost : Rp. 5.000 (for a motorcycle)
- Food : Rp. 60.000 (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Snack : Rp. 20.000
TOTAL : Rp. 205.000
Its a good little escape I ever felt actually. A long way downtown but worth to visit. It has a different vibes like being away from the city hustle and bustle.