I’ve been receiving a lot of requests from guests who want to visit Timang Beach in the last few months. The Gondola, originally used by lobster fishermen, has become one of the highlights of things to do in Yogyakarta. So while I was in the area I thought I’d visit Timang Beach myself. Here’s what to expect if you decide to visit Timang Beach for yourself.
How to Get to Timang Beach
Timang Beach is a 3-hour driver from Yogyakarta in the region of Gunung Kidul. To get to the beach you’ll need to arrange a car rental for the journey. Most of the journey is along new tarmac roads and is an easy ride. When you get close to the beach you need to turn off the main road onto the final path to Timang Beach.
As I said before, Timang Beach has become popular with tourists. Unfortunately there are few systems in place to manage the tourism. As we were driving along the path to the beach we were stopped at an informal stop manned by some local volunteers who asked for a voluntary contribution to enter the beach. There are still no tickets and no fixed price, which can make it feel like a scam.
After 200 meters driving down the road we passed by a stop area. There was a parking area close by where we were told we could drop off the car and exchange to motorbike taxis. The motorbike taxis take you the final 3km along the road to the beach. The cost for the motorbike taxi is Rp 50,000 per person.
Timang Beach
Two years ago Timang Beach was just an isolated spot at the end of a bumpy road. While there was the Gondola, there were no parking area and nowhere to buy food. The arrival of tourists has meant big changes for the beach. A lot of it is positive, but there are some problems.
The first thing you see when you arrive at Timang Beach is a cute little warung built of bamboo and rattan. A painted sign points to a small path that loops around a hill to the Gondola. It was a short walk along bumpy stones to the Gondola.
As we turned round the point I got my first view of Timang Beach Gondola. It’s quite an amazing view. The Gondola links the mainland with a rocky outcrop that is 20 meters or so off the shore. It’s built from wood, blue ropes, wood washed up on the beach and metal pulleys. The whole thing looks like a crazy inventor built it.
Of course most people come to the beach to try the Gondola, so the most important question is; “How safe is the Gondola?” Luckily the answer for me is “pretty safe.”
The people who were managing the Gondola looked organized. They worked in teams on the pulleys sending people over to the island. The people running the pulleys had walkie-talkies and everything just seemed well managed.
So the second question is the cost. This wasn’t really set. We were initially charged Rp 200,000 per person to take the Gondola across the sea to the rocky outcrop. However, I saw plenty of people negotiating with the people who managed the Gondola and getting the price down to Rp 150,000 per person.
The Best Timang Beach Itinerary
It takes 3 hours to reach the beach from Yogyakarta. That’s a long drive. If you plan to arrange a Yogyakarta car rental for the day to visit Timang Beach I would recommend combining the trip with other activities. My personal recommendation if you visit Timang Beach is the following…
I’d start the day by doing the Gua Jomblang cave tour in the morning, then in the afternoon go to Timang Beach. Finally in the late afternoon stop at the Gunung Gkidul viewpoint for some food. This itinerary allows you to visit some great tourist attractions, while not spending too long in the car.
Final Thoughts
I had mixed feelings about the Gondola before visiting Timang Beach. I felt safety was a real issue and it was something that I was worried about when people told me they wanted to visit Timang Beach. After visiting Timang Beach I was reassured that everything was so well organised.
Overall I think Timang Beach is an interesting place to visit. The Gondola is something really different, and though expensive, is interesting to see and try. However, there are better beaches to visit around Gunung Kidul. If you’re not interested in the beach, but just want to see the Gondola I think a visit to Timang Beach is definitely worth it.
Have you visited Timang Beach? What did you think of the Gondola? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For what it is, seems a bit on the pricey side. The experience seems pretty cool though!
Yeah. I agree with you Andrew. It is quite expensive for what it is. If it was half the price I think it would be about right. Still, visiting the beach is a good excuse to buy some very tasty lobster 🙂
The Gondola pass is expensive…a turn off for most Indonesia…
Yeah, that’s true. A lot of people like to come just to look though.
I dont think being organised could assure safety at all. Ropes and woods exposed to the open weather. Just think about it. But, if it safe, where’s the fun in it, right? Good info sharing tho. Cheerio!!
Hi Paih,
Being organised helps 😉 It looks pretty safe and fun enough. Though I think it’s more for the photo moment than the adrenalin as there’s not much to do on the island.
Hello guys. I just came back from Jogja few days ago and I did visited Timang Beach. At first I was so excited to ride the Gondola. But the road to the beach itself is very rough which I think not suitable for pregnant ladies & kids. Right after I reached there, the waves are so strong that it scares me. And I decided not to take the gondola. Please bear in mind that they don’t have any harness or ropes to secure you. However, the journey to the other side is only about 5 minutes. Nevertheless, the view that you get is superbly amazing. 🙂
how much transportation fee from Yogyakarta?
Hi Anne, you can check the price here.
hi, ive been getting mixed feedbacks of the gondola ride as well. some said it;s really a great experience and a must-try. where as some others warned that it’s dangerous and we need to be careful. one question bothering our group, is there a weight limit to ride the gondola? some photos show two persons in the same gondola. as a few in our group are pretty overweight hahahaha, therefore is it recommended to go on the small gondola since the ropes look kinda thin? and how does the pulley system work? manually by men or some machine?
Hi Addie,
The pulley system works manually (it was three guys when I visited). There is no weight limit for an individual (I think you can fit 2-3 people in the gondola) and there is only one gondola.
I tried both while in Timang Beach. Crossing the bridge is way much cooler though . The view was spectacular. Well worth your time.
Hi Grace,
Thanks for the insight! I would love to try the bridge. I am coming back to Yogya next week, can’t wait to try.
I was there a few days ago. Just prove your guts and let go that cash. It completes my trip to Jogja. Even my wife who is afraid of the sea did the ride! Safety aspect…I bet you it is “SAFE”. Breathtaking view at the other side. By the way there is a jeep service if you go by group. Next time we try the bridge. By the way, the lobsters meal are yummy!!!
We can choose to walk the bridge or take the Gondola? So far I only seen the Gondola.
Hi Wong Yah Li,
You can choose between two; the bridge or take the Gondola. The cost is different I guess, not too sure though.
how about operation hour?
The Gondola? I think it is started 8-9 am till 5 pm.
I am planning to go for a solo trip in yogya. If that is the case, is there anyway to get to timang beach other than renting a car myself?
Hi Ryeo92,
I guess you can rent a motorbike and drive there.
we are 2 people plan to visit Timang on 05/28 and we are willing to take the share, pls help to check if any offer available on that date. thanks 🙂
Hi Sarah,
We have sent you an email. Look forward to hearing back from you.
Hi Firsta, my friend afraid take gondola alone, can fit two ppl ?In total our weight about 120kg, can we take two, bridge and gondola ?
Hi Jennifer,
I don’t know if there is weight restriction, but in total 120kg should be ok. I hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta.
Hi Firsta, stumbled upon your blog here and I’m wondering if they have jeep drivers at Timang Beach for the rocky roads? I am planning to drive there from central Yogyakarta and then rent the jeep for the 10-20 minutes bumpy ride to Timang beach. Thanks 🙂
Hi Annur Najaa, yes the jeep should be there. I don’t have a recommendation for the operator though. Sorry!
Hope you have a great time in Yogyakarta.