# Australian family move to Lombok after Byron home plans prove costly

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/aussie-family-whose-plans-for-their-dream-home-near-byron-bay-turned-into-a-nightmare-pack-up-and-move-to-an-indonesian-island-and-couldnt-be-happier/
- Published: 2026-11-01T14:15:33+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T14:33:14+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16247331/Aussies-moving-lombok-indonesia-cheap-property.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, World

## Key points

- Byron hinterland building costs and paperwork changed the Smiths’ plans.
- They moved to Lombok with their two daughters.
- Lower living costs and a growing property market are drawing Australians.

## Summary

Karstan and Maxine Smith moved with their two young daughters from Australia to Lombok after the cost and paperwork involved in preparing to build a home in the Byron hinterland became overwhelming. Their experience reflects how some Australians are considering Indonesia as a lower-cost place to live, while Lombok’s growing property market is attracting investors.

The family say they spent nearly $100,000 trying to get their development application approved and their land ready to build. They report that meals can cost just over $1, and groceries around $15 to $20, compared with at least $150 in Australia; subsidised diesel costs about 50 cents a litre. A Lombok property agent says Australian investor-buyers rose from 15 to 50 per cent of his clients in two years, while reported villa prices range from about $350,000 to $1.2 million; Sydney’s median house price was $1.66 million in September 2026.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.