Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs travel warning service, Smart Traveller, has issued a warning to Aussies that flights to and from the tourist hotspot have been affected.

“Some flights between Australia and Bali have been cancelled or postponed due to volcanic ash from Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki,” the warning says.

“If your flight is affected, contact your airline and insurance provider for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.”

Jetstar has already cancelled four flights, two from Melbourne, one from Sydney and one from Perth. It has also cancelled returning flights from Bali.

Virgin has cancelled at least four flights from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Air New Zealand also cancelled two flights between Bali and Auckland. 

The volcano erupted overnight, spewing towering columns of hot ash into the air.

Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to 8km from the crater.

Indonesia’s Geology Agency said in a statement it recorded the volcano unleashing 10,000m of thick grey clouds at 5.35pm local time (8.35pm AEST), following significant volcanic activities, including 50 in two hours, rather than the usual daily eight to 10 activities.

The ashes expanded into a mushroom-shaped ash cloud that could be seen from the cities located 90km to 150km from the mountain.

There were no casualties reported.

Residents were warned to be vigilant about heavy rainfall triggering lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano.

An eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in November killed nine people and injured dozens.

The 1584m mountain is a twin volcano with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in the district of Flores Timur.

Indonesia is an archipelago of 270 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.