The overland log from Makassar (Indonesia) to Tawau (Malaysia)

THE OVERLAND LOG FROM MAKASSAR TO TAWAU

This is my land route from Makassar (Sulawesi, Indonesia) to Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

1) MAKASSAR – PARE PARE, 141 KM, 3 hours, by Couchsurfing member’s ride.

2) PARE PARE – MAKALE, 142 KM, by shared car, 5 hours, 150,000 IDR.

3) MAKALE – TORAJA VILLAGES, by local vans.

4) TORAJA VILLAGES – MAKALE, by local vans.

5) MAKALE – MAMUJU, by minivan, 16 hours, 270,000 IDR. The Mamasa road was reported as blocked as of June 2024. This is why it took so long.

6) MAMUJU – BALIKPAPAN, by ferry, 18 hours, 220.000 IDR. All info here:

Facebook page with monthly updates about departures from both sides.

This boat is really energy-consuming as you cannot buy tickets online, only the same day when the ferry is departing. They tell you to queue up at the Simboro harbour terminal at 4 pm to purchase the ticket, but you can only do that from 6 pm, with the boat leaving the port at approximately 12 am, after 8 or 9 hours waiting time there.

You may buy coffee, water and snacks in the boat, as well as cigarettes and some basic meals.

7) BALIKPAPAN – TANJUNG SELOR, 689 KM, 24 hours by shared car, 600.000 IDR.

8) TANJUNG SELOR – TARAKAN, 1 hour by speedboat, 140,000 IDR.

9) TARAKAN – NUNUKAN, 2 hours by speedboat, 280,000 IDR.

10 NUNUKAN –TAWAU (Malaysia), 3 hours by long boat, 350,000 IDR.

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