Gombong, A Must-Visit Hidden Gem in Central Java

Gombong is perhaps rather unfamiliar to our TRAC friends who rarely visit Central Java. It’s normal, since Gombong, a sub-district in Kebumen district, is not as large and famous as nearby Yogyakarta or Semarang, which offers many well-known tourist spots.

However, just like any other hidden gems, Gombong has plenty of tourist spots in store, no less enticing than other destinations in Central Java, such as the big cities. Beautiful beaches, prehistoric caves, and Dutch colonial buildings are some of the places worth a visit.

Curious? Here we have compiled some of the must-visit tourist spots in Gombong, also one of the largest sugar-producing regions in Central Java, for when our TRAC friends travel to this place.

5 Enticing Spots in Gombong You Want to Visit when Travelling to Central Java

Van der Wijck Fortress

Located at Jl. Sapta Marga No. 100, Sidayu, Gombong, Van der Wijck Fortress was constructed in 1818 during the Dutch colonial period. The fortress is octagonal and has 16 barracks. Currently, it is converted into a recreational area by the local government.

In the past, the fortress was used as a filming location several times. For example, The Raid 2 movie starring Iko Uwais and ‘Punya Cinta’ music video by Slank. Want to explore this historical building? You only need to pay a small fee of Rp25,000.

One unique experience in the fortress is a mini train ride on the rooftop. You can get on the train and enjoy an exciting ride. So much fun!

Sempor Reservoir

The actual function of Sempor Reservoir, 8 km north of Gombong town, is to irrigate thousands of hectares of rice fields in Gombong and its surrounding areas. In addition to its role in irrigation, the reservoir has great potential to become a tourist spot.

The main attraction of the Sempor Reservoir is its enchanting beauty of nature. With a surface area of tens of hectares, the reservoir is pleasing to the eye as it is surrounded by hills.

Sempor Reservoir provides a number of tourist facilities. We recommend our TRAC friends to take a motorboat ride on the reservoir. The fee is very affordable, and you only need to pay Rp10,000.

Alternatively, you can rent a bigger boat with a capacity of 10 people for a fee of Rp100,000. For 30 minutes, you can explore the reservoir against the backdrop of scenic beauty.

Roemah Martha Tilaar

Roemah Martha Tilaar is an old house with neoclassical architecture. You can find this tourist spot at Jalan Sempor Lama Number 28, Wonokriyo, Gombong. Many of Martha Tilaar’s childhood memories are formed in this place.

Walking through this building is like a time travel to the life of Martha Tilaar in the past. Through the left corner of the porch of the main building, you can see the bedroom where Martha Tilaar and her family used to live.

Inside the main building, you can find replicas of items from the times Martha Tilaar resided here. To explore this house, built in 1920, you only need to pay a small fee of Rp15,000. Very affordable indeed! 

Jatijajar Cave

Jatijajar Cave is a naturally occurring geological heritage. The cave is situated in Jatijajar Village, Ayah Sub-district, Kebumen District. Located about 20 kilometers from the Gombong town, this limestone cave is at least 200 m long.

According to a historical account, Jatijajar Cave was first discovered by a farmer who accidentally fell into a hole while collecting grass for his livestock. As it turned out, the hole the farmer fell into was actually the ceiling of a cave.

It is said that the cave was a place where Raden Kamandaka performed his meditation. Later on, this tale became known as the legend of Lutung Kasarung. Inside the cave, you can find a diorama depicting the legend.

You can explore this inner part of the earth by paying a small fee of Rp5,000–Rp12,000. Sounds interesting? If so, don’t forget to pay a visit when you travel to Gombong.

Menganti Beach

A trip to Gombong won’t be a complete experience if you haven’t visited Menganti Beach, a tourist spot dubbed Indonesia’s New Zealand.

With an exotic panorama that no other beaches in Indonesia hardly have, it’s understandable why Menganti Beach gets its epithet. The beach is situated in Karangduwur Village, Ayah District, Kebumen District.

Located about 30 kilometers from the Gombong town, this beautiful white sand beach perfectly blends with the expanse of blue sea and a giant cliff to its west. The cliff is commonly called the Angel’s Cliff.

On the cliff, you can feast your eyes on the beautiful works of nature in the form of 4 waterfalls, each with a height of more than 30 meters.

You can also enjoy the breathtaking view of the beach from a height on the top of a lighthouse, reaching up to 20 meters in height. This is the best place to watch the sunset or sunrise. The atmosphere will be more peaceful and magnificent as birds fly in the orange skies.

Explore Gombong by Renting a Car in Yogyakarta

Those are our recommended five tourist spots for when our TRAC friends travel to Gombong town. As a matter of fact, there are many other enticing destinations, such as Logending Beach, Jetis Beach, Karangbolong Beach, Suwuk Beach, Petruk Cave, and Hok Tek Bio Temple.

There are plenty of options to reach Gombong. You can travel by train or airplane and transit through Yogyakarta. From Yogyakarta, you can use a car rental service, whether self-drive or chauffeured services.

We recommend you pick chauffeured services for a safer and more comfortable trip when you explore Gombong. For easier booking, you can use the TRACtoGo app. Get the app now from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Discover various great deals on the app.

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