The eruption has forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes with another 60,000 people ordered to evacuate immediately.

The international airport on the island was closed for almost three days with hundreds of flights cancelled leaving thousands stranded.

And cold lava, known as lahar, has swept into towns and villages in the volcano’s summit, bursting riverbanks and leaving streams black with volcanic ash and debris.

But despite the national disaster, for some tourists the eruption is an opportunity to take a once-in-a-lifetime photo for social media.

Instagram has been flooded this week with posts from people posing for the camera in front of smoke clouds rising from the volcano.

Many have posted photos using the volcano’s smoke as a backdrop with captions that sing nature’s praises.

In one photo, user Karina Kapris poses between the ornate Lempuyang Temple, or 'Gates of Heaven', with the erupting Agung in that background, tinged with a blue and purple hue.

She posted the photo online with the caption: “That’s what I call a once in a lifetime photo.”

In another, a woman sits meditating on a grassy verge, while ash clouds billow out the 3,000metre tall mountain behind her.

Some have used the chance to post a photo with their loved one, with one picture showing a couple - both wearing gas masks - embracing as the eruption unfolds behind them.

Others acknowledge the potentially scary situation, but say the view is worth any fear.

A post from Iona Bunghez shows a woman in shorts and bikini top looking out over a pool and forestland, with the mountain far in the distance.

The caption read: “After a few days of scary activity the vulcano is quiet today.”

The tropical paradise is a selfie-loving tourist's dream at the best of times. 

But it seems the erupting volcano has added another layer of interest, as the mountain emits a bright orange glow around its crater and gushes ash as high as 7,600m into the air.

Australian woman Jill Powers told Daily Mail Australia she wanted to travel to Bali to witness the active volcano herself.

She said: “Sounds stupid but yes, I have it on my bucket list to see a live volcano. I think it would be my only chance to tick it off.”

The last time Mount Agung erupted, more than 1,100 people were killed.

Survivors of the 1963 eruption have been haunted by the memories of the horrific event as the volcano continues to be active this week. 

On Monday, authorities ordered residents living near the volcano to evacuate the area immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be 'imminent'.