Simon St John
Editor, Baligram.me
Hi, I'm Simon St John. I am a writer and the editor of the Bali travel guide website called Baligram.me.
I've been visiting and immersing myself in Bali, Indonesia, and its surrounding islands for more than 25 years. In fact, I have made 49 separate visits to Bali over this time, from stays of a few weeks to stays of a year.
Baligram.me is my personal passion project, aimed at sharing my appreciation for Bali's cultural marvels and natural beauty.
My background is as a writer. I was the Author of several of the Beautiful Accommodation travel guidebooks about unique accommodations in Australia. A list of these published books is below.
I also support indie film production, and I am a producer of the forthcoming feature The Ballad of Lucy Sands.
I'm interested in sustainability in travel and minimalist living. I also have a soft spot for indulging in buffet breakfasts!
I really hope Baligram.me can help you craft your perfect adventure.
Contact me here or catch me on:
Simon St John on
Linkedin | Twitter/X | Medium
MuckRack | Crunchbase | IMDb | Amazon | Hardie Grant
Baligram.me on
Theorg.com | Pitchbook | Crunchbase
More About Simon St John
In his current role as the editor of Baligram.me, Simon leverages his extensive background in travel writing to explore the breathtaking beauty of Bali, Indonesia, and its surrounding islands. His deep-rooted connection to Bali, cultivated over years of exploration, is evident in his vivid narratives.
The transition from Australian travel destinations to the picturesque landscapes of Bali underscores his growth as a writer and his interest in diverse cultural settings. Simon’s journey in the travel world began in his youth, first as an adventurous 'ski bum' and then traversing Africa by truck during a time when reliable communication and guidebooks were rare commodities.
Simon's bond with Bali, fostered alongside his partner, has flourished over the past 25 years, spanning 49 visits. Each trip has further enhanced his intimate knowledge and appreciation of Bali's unique culture and stunning natural beauty.
Simon is also a recognised author in the Australian boutique accommodation travel writing field. He has garnered fans among both Australian and global audiences with his work as the author of a number of editions of the 'Beautiful Accommodation in Australia' travel guidebook series. This guidebook series was published by The Invermay Press, a division of Invermay Investments Pty Ltd, and Explore Australia, a division of Hardie Grant.
His detailed and passionate exploration of unique and luxurious accommodations helped position these guidebooks as essential resources for discerning travelers. Simon's ability to uncover hidden gems and provide in-depth insights into local experiences solidified his status as a leading authority in the Australian boutique travel niche.
Beyond just documenting travel locales, Simon’s writings embody a personal quest to reveal and celebrate the world's most mesmerizing destinations. His descriptive and engaging writing style transports readers directly into the heart of each location he explores.
Simon is also a producer on the film ‘The Ballad of Lucy Sands’ which is currently in production, by writer/director Steven Baldwin.
Whether it’s the diverse terrains of Australia or the tranquil shores of Bali and its adjacent islands, Simon’s narratives offer more than travel guidance; they extend an invitation to readers to immerse themselves fully in the essence of these spectacular places.
Simon’s Visits to Bali
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I was surprised when I added them up that so far I have made 49 separate trips to Bali - I admit I am a bit obsessive!
2000 - September, December
2001 - July
2002
2003 - July, December
2004 - June, November
2005 - August, December
2006 - January, March, July, December
2007 - March, June, November
2008 - January, March
2009 - March, July
2010 - January, July (twice), December
2011 - July, August, September
2012 - April, June, August, October
2013 - September
2014 - January, March, May, September
2015 - April, November
2016 - February, May, October, November
2017 - January, May
2018 - May
2019 - March
2020
2021
2022 - May, July
2023 - May
Published Books by Simon St John:
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St John, Simon. Beautiful Accommodation in Queensland, Australia. 2004. ISBN: 0975134418 Google Books
St John, Simon. Beautiful Accommodation in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory , Australia. 2006. ISBN: 0975134426 Google Books
St John, Simon. Beautiful Accommodation in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. 2010. ISBN: 9780975134443
St John, Simon. Beautiful Accommodation : New South Wales & Queensland, Australia. 2011. ISBN: 9781742702131 Google Books
St John, Simon Beautiful Accommodation : South Australia, Western Australia & the Northern Territory, Australia. 2014. ISBN: 9780975134450 Google Books
Discover everything you need to know about Bali's new tourism tax before your next visit to this tropical paradise.