Outer wall of the Museum of Australian journalists killed in Balibo, Timor Leste.

© The Road Provides/Shutterstock

Balibó Flag House

Timor-Leste


Balibó Flag House is where the five journalists reporting on Indonesian's invasion of East Timor stayed before they were killed by Indonesian Special Forces on 16 October 1975. The Australian flag they painted for protection is still (though just) visible under a modern restoration. Press play on the DVD player to watch Greg Shackleton's final, engaged broadcast. The journalists were killed in the ruined house diagonally opposite.

The Australian film Balibo (2009) was based on these tragic, and still unresolved, murders. There's a cafe on-site.


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Nearby Timor-Leste attractions

1. Be Manis

18.51 MILES

Once a former Portuguese mountain resort, these hot springs (be manis in Tetun) have been renovated into a fairly large complex, with pools of varying…

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