Writing about Australia’s housing market can sometimes be a truly masochistic exercise if you don’t have a property portfolio. House prices are sky-high, wages aren’t keeping up with them (or even inflation), and it’s an issue that’s spreading beyond our cities and even into regional markets.So when a feel-good story about someone beating the system crosses our desk, it’s refreshing. Almost as refreshing as an island paradise. Speaking of which…  One clever Melburnian has beaten the odds and secured himself a piece of Australian waterfront paradise for a sliver of what it’d cost to do the same anywhere on the east coast. Although it’s not necessarily that simple…Chris Havre, who works in the construction business, spent $280,000 on an 8,000sqm block of land on Prince of Wales Island, the largest island in the Torres Strait, off the tip of Cape York in Far North Queensland. The property’s only dwelling is a safari-style semi-permanent tent and it has no electricity, water, waste or sewerage system – despite this, he’s laughing, and he has a good reason to be doing so.

“It’s a pretty good tent, but you’ve also got to look at the land and the location and I thought to myself, ‘that’s a pretty good deal’,” Havre told ABC News.

“At the moment living in Melbourne, everything is so uncertain about what COVID is going to mean for us. It’s good to know that if we are able to fly freely around the country, we don’t have to leave the national border to go to a place like that.”

Havre’s right that it’s a pretty good deal. According to Statista, the average price for one square meter of greenfield land in Melbourne (i.e. undeveloped land) is around $819. So if Havre wanted 8,000sqm in his hometown, it would set him back $6,552,000, or over 23 times what he paid for his place in the Torres Strait. And that’s just the greenfield land price – if he wanted developed, waterfront land, he’d be paying perhaps three times that figure.RELATED: Ruthless Melbourne Yuppies Convert Neighbours’ House Into Classic Car GarageAnd all the things that would normally be a negative about such an isolated location – no shops, no amenities, an outdoor toilet, boat access only – are positives for Havre, who’s up for the adventure. (That said, the tent has solar panels, battery storage as well as satellite NBN connection, so it’s not completely off the grid).

“It’s a unique part of Australia; it seems to be a whole new world up there just waiting to be discovered.”

“There is no shop on the island so you have to eat whatever you can grow or whatever you can catch… It’s a very different way to live and that will suit some people.”

Power to him, we say.

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The post Melbourne Man Finds Genius 'Loophole' That Outsmarts Australia's Brutal Housing Market appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whether your travel skills are rusty after The Cough That Stopped The Globe or whether you are new to the game entirely, there are a lot of mistakes you want to avoid making when checking into foreign abodes.One of them is not being conned into handing your passport over to anyone that could later hold it over you.From the Netflix hit The Serpent (which, based on a true story, shows an international gem smuggler hold backpackers hostage with this exact trick, and has been described as “murder porn in prestige packaging“) to Airbnb’s frequently asked questions page, where users debate, what, exactly, is the norm, when it comes to what hosts can ask you for, this is an issue that has been discussed many times.But that’s a topic for another day.What you’re here for is a story that shows why you should think twice before giving your passport to your guest house host. And TikTok user Sights Of Sara has just the tale.Sara, who is a travel blogger from Rochester, NY, took to TikTok to share a clip about the time she claims she was briefly “held hostage” in Iceland, with her friend, by the lady who ran a guest house they were staying in.Fortunately, they had not given the lady their passports. But their story still goes to show why you really want to avoid handing them over whenever you can avoid it.

Watch the video below

“We were staying at her guest house for free in exchange for helping her around the house.”“We did everything she asked us to and after a couple of days started to notice her strange behaviour.”

“The next morning we packed and when we tried to leave she wouldn’t let us.”

“She accused us of stealing her red jumper and demanded to see our passports.”“Then she stood in front of the door and refused to let us leave.”They call someone else at the guest house for help, then a discussion can be heard where they debate what the deal was in the first place with the host.The host accuses them of simply having changed their mind about wanting to stay there, before the video ends with the phrase “the police came and let us go almost immediately.”Sights Of Sara wrote in the TikTok comments: “We are going to be calling Booking.com and reporting her so no one has to go through this as well.”The story goes to show how important it is to keep crucial documents like your passport with you, not your host, so that you can leave a dwelling at any time if you need to.As one TikTok user wrote in the comments section: “Glad you didn’t give her your passports. PSA: NEVER give someone your passport.”Another user wrote: “I’ve been wanting to go to Iceland, but I’m so terrified of staying anywhere because all the places seem kind of like this.”In response, Sights Of Sara wrote: “It’s really safe honestly. This was just one bad one.”Another user claimed a “similar situation happened to me in France during my study abroad.”Yet another user asked, “What’s the thing about Instagram.” To which Sights Of Sara wrote: “She wanted us to help make an Instagram but since we left early we didn’t.”The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs advises, in the section of its page dedicated to: “What do I do if a travel provider wants to hold my passport?”, the following:“Cruise companies and hotels in some parts of the international travel industry have a practice of holding the passports of their clients. If you have concerns, raise them if possible before confirming your booking. You may be able to explore options such as providing a copy or scan instead of handing over your Australian passport.”As for Airbnb, this Community Centre page is informative.An Airbnb user asks the following:“Hi! I’ve used Airbnb a couple of times, and it’s the first time my host asked me for the Passport copies. I’m hosted in Portugal and she said it’s for paying taxes. I distrusted this information of her request because I always talked to my host in Portuguese and just this message was sent in English.”“Anybody know if is it common ask passport information in Portugal? And is safe to provide this information?”The following response has been marked as an “accepted solution” by Airbnb.“In Germany there is a law (Bundesmeldegesetz) which requires the following information from all guests – no matter if they are just tourists or on business travel – for all lodgings as hotels, guest houses, camping grounds, holiday apartments and also rooms inside private homes:

• Full last name and first name
• Home address
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number

A copy of the passport only can be taken from the host, if the guest agrees, but the host has the right and the obligation to verify the passport and to check the number with the original document. After one year, all this information has to shredded.I know, that there are some Airbnb and other private hosts who don’t apply this law, but in case they get controled they need to pay hughe fines and also they may get an interdiction to rent out their space.I am not involved in other European countries laws, but I could imagine that similar laws exist in one or the other country.”Traveller has previously answered a similar query too. In an article entitled: “Should you be careful when providing passport details to Airbnb hosts?” they write: “The most common reason that Airbnb guests are asked to provide photo ID is when a host requires it.”“As a guest you may be staying in someone’s home, or in close proximity to their living quarters.”“It seems only reasonable that your host should want positive identification, and the reassurance that comes with their guests having provided photo ID.”Traveller adds: “Airbnb already has your credit card details but this is no guarantee that the person who comes to the door is the same as the person who made the booking, and Airbnb is only acting to safeguard the person and property of its hosts.”The author of the piece also shares: “As a frequent user of Airbnb myself I have supplied photo ID.”“There is no such thing as totally bulletproof personal data and I’d be more inclined to provide my licence than my passport.”Basically, though, it’s always better to provide a copy rather than the real thing when you can. And it’s preferable not to hand over your passport at all, if you can avoid it.

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The post American Tourist Held ‘Hostage’ In Iceland By Guest House Host appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s been a scintillating September when it comes to awards shows and big celebrity events, like the Met Gala and New York Fashion Week, but one celebrity power couple has been conspicuously absent: Beyoncé and Jay-Z.That’s because the talented musicians have skipped the red carpet ‘dos for an extended holiday in Europe with their family and friends. The pair have been living lavishly, jetting around the Mediterranean on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ US$500 million mega-yacht and dining at some of Europe’s top restaurants. Must be nice. If that wasn’t exxy enough, Jay-Z has apparently treated himself with a fine European timepiece for a souvenir.Over the weekend, Beyoncé shared a photo of herself and her husband relaxing on the yacht, draped in designer clothes – Mrs Carter in Dior and Mr Carter in an AMIRI x Playboy shirt – with Jay looking particularly staunch with a champagne flute in hand and a new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked worth a cool AU$585,650+ on his wrist.It’s yet another worthy addition to one of the most lavish watch collections in the rap game.

First released in 2019, this version of the famous luxury sports watch boasts a veritable cavalcade of impressive features. As the name implies, it features a perpetual calendar, which also incorporates a moonphase complication at 6 o’clock. Subdials at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock depict the month, day and date respectively. Instead of a seconds hand, the watch’s third hand displays what week of the year it is, with week counters placed on the watch’s chapter ring – a rather unusual touch.RELATED: John Legend’s ‘Beater’ Watch Costs More Than Your CarBut the horological flexing doesn’t stop there. Key components of the movement are constructed from pink gold, which is exposed by an openworked sapphire dial (not to be confused with a skeletonised movement). On top of that, the watch’s case and bezel are constructed from black ceramic.A masterful piece, it’s like a ‘greatest hits’ of haute horlogerie all in one watch – the perfect piece for a musician hitmaker like Jay-Z.

Check out some of Jay-Z’s other incredible watches below

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The post Jay-Z Hires Jeff Bezos' ‘Mega Yacht’, Buys $600,000 Audemars Piguet Watch To Celebrate appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A large great white shark chased a group of surfers out of the water and onto the rocks at a NSW South Coast point break on Saturday.The video was posted to Instagram by South Coast based filmer Dane Pidgeon, with the caption: “Old mate wanted the waves to himself.”

“Nothing clears the lineup quite like a rapidly advancing shark coming your way… then following you onto the rocks.”

Dane told DMARGE: “It’s the second shark I have filmed in the area. I don’t have the footage of the other one though. The video you’ve seen… I see sharks at that wave all the time.”

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The clip was filmed an hour or two south of Jervis Bay – a popular tourist town on NSW’s South Coast.In the video you can see a wave breaking, then, behind it, four surfers padding into the rocks real fast, followed by what looks to be a very large shark.One of those surfers, Musician Hein Cooper, took to Instagram and explained how it felt, describing the fin he saw as the size of a MacBook Pro, and saying “we’re almost 100% positive that it was between 4-5 metres long and it was a Great White.”

Watch Hein talk about the experience in the video below

Hein also wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely life changing experience. 2 days ago Myself and a couple of mates were chased in by a big old Great White whilst surfing at home.“I was out off a point break with 5-6 others in the mid afternoon in a remote location. I turned to see a large fin coming up the headland from the beach (around 30 metres away). It was slightly tipping over which made me think it could be a seal (apparently that’s something whites do when they’re looking for food in the shallows…).”“I turned away for a moment then looked back again to double check what I’d seen. It was considerable closer, moving towards us but in a relaxed way. I was much more certain it was a shark this time. I mentioned it to @genjipitt who was right next to me and he saw it himself. He replied that he thought it was a seal and then another guy chimed in and mentioned there’s been word of a few sharks around lately. Then, we all looked over and what happened next I will never forget.”“A large fin around 30-40cm tall (it was the length of my MacBook Pro from one side of the screen to the other) moving straight for us around 7-8 metres away. I could see scars on the fin and patches of white which apparently means it wasn’t a juvenile. And the boys did some research and called a few people and it looks very much like it was a GWS around 3.5-4 metres long. So this thing was moving straight for us. I shouted ‘SHARK’ and we all paddled for our Lives straight onto the rocks ..”“Now for some reason the shark actually went around us and only really moved in once it reached our flank and the video footage confirms it. If it had wanted too it could have been on any of us within a couple seconds. I think the kicking and scrambling made it cautious for a moment and when it had made up its mind we were all up on the rocks.”“What has stayed with me most is the energy and presence it had. Absolutely magnificent creature showing us who’s really boss. Very grateful that we all made it out and of course now I’ve got a good story to tell The footage doesn’t represent the shark well but you can see that even once we were up the rocks it was coming for us!”Hein was also interviewed by BeachGrit, which first picked up the story on Sunday, telling them: “I’ll never forget that moment when we saw the fin. I feel honoured by that. You see dolphins all the time, it’s magical, and seals, but to be in the water with a big shark like that was a whole new level of heightened experience.”“I surfed again yesterday and I was fine. I thought about it a few times but, and maybe this is coming from my ignorance and the unreality of it, but it didn’t feel like we were in any danger. Obviously, if it bit someone and we had to make a tourniquet on someone’s leg and carry ‘em up the volcanic rocks and drive half-an-hour to a hospital it wouldn’t have been the same.”“I’ll never forget the energy around it. It carried this aura of it being so calmly confidence in what it was and we were just little peasants floating about the surface being heavily educated about our position in the world. That, despite all our creations and all the things we build up around us to feel secure, it doesn’t mean a thing in nature.”

“It was healthy reminder that we are a part of it all.”

9News.com.au recently reported that “the world’s largest shark management program will be rolled out along New South Wales’ beaches this summer, including a fleet of new shark-spotting drones.”“The program, which is designed to minimise the impact on marine life by using ‘non-invasive technologies’, will use the world’s largest domestic fleet of drones as well as 100 SMART (shark management alert in real time) drumlines to detect sharks at beaches and keep people safe,” (9News.com.au).

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The post Shark Sightings: Great White Shark Chases Surfers Out Of Water On NSW Coast appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s not even officially awards season yet in the Northern Hemisphere, but there’s still been plenty of high-profile – and very stylish – red carpet ‘dos.We’ve had the Venice International Film Festival, the Met Gala, the MTV VMAs… The Tonys are around the corner, too. But the most recent big event has been the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, which saw a bevy of well-dressed celebs take to the red carpet to celebrate the best in American prime time television.When it came to the most stylish men, it was definitely a game of the usual suspects: Regé-Jean Page, Seth Rogen, Eugene and Dan Levy, you get the picture. But the standout outfit of the event was easily Jason Sudeikis, the talented actor/comedian cleaning up in more ways than one.The 46-year-old funnyman chose a blue velvet tuxedo for the awards show, which he paired with a large, floppy bow-tie and patent leather Chelsea boots – an eclectic look which we’re proud to present him with the DMARGE Best Dressed Man of the Emmys Award for, an award that totally exists.

It’s a super kitschy outfit – reminds us of that scene in the fourth Harry Potter movie where Harry and Ron have those terrible suits for the ball – but he actually makes it work. Really, it’s a power move wearing something so retro.RELATED: Jake Gyllenhaal Is The Venice Film Festival’s Best-Dressed ManSudeikis didn’t just come up trumps in the fashion stakes, either: he also picked up his very first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, for his performance as the title role in the Apple TV show Ted Lasso.The series follows Ted Lasso, a folksy American college football coach who is hired to coach a fictional English Premier League team, a character Sudeikis originally portrayed in a series of popular promos for NBC Sports.Sudeikis’ tux might be eye-catching but it’s by no means the most eye-catching outfit we’ve seen in recent weeks. Check out our report on the breakout celebrity style trend: men wearing skirts.

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The post And The Best Dressed Man At The 73rd Emmys Is… Jason Sudeikis appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Looking to find a new pair of sneakers? Then you need to be checking out the best sneaker stores in Sydney. Whether you’re after something minimal and fresh, such as a pair of white sneakers, or you’re hoping to grab the latest pair of streetwear kick, Sydney’s sneaker stores have you covered.

Sneakers are a menswear essential if ever there was one. From your run-of-the-mill high-street brands such as Adidas and Nike, all the way up to high-end luxury sneaker brands such as Lanvin and Saint Laurent. Pretty much any clothing or fashion brand you can think of will have sneakers on their roster.

Which, while a good thing for the amount of choice it gives men, finding the best sneakers isn’t an easy task. Sydneysiders will know this all too well. Sydney is a city of real fashion and style, with the majority of major fashion labels having a presence Down Under. So, to help you in your search of a fresh pair of sneakers, check out the best sneaker stores Sydney has to offer.

Sneakerboy

388 George St, Sydney, 2000

Sneakerboy is a sneaker store for men who enjoy having a memorable customer experience as well as being able to buy a pair of great kicks. We say ‘memorable’ because Sneakerboy has a rather unique approach in retail. The store is a showroom display of their stock, where you’re free to try on as many pairs to your heart’s (or feet’s) content.

You try them on, and when you’ve found the one, you make the purchase online. With a little bit of patience, your sneakers will arrive on your doorstep in the next few days. They have a huge range of brands to choose from, so you’re guaranteed to find something you like.

Above The Clouds

Shop 4/285a Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2010

Sitting strong in Sydney’s streetwear scene is a boutique fashion and sneaker store, Above The Clouds. Don’t be deterred by its store size as their wildly extensive range more than makes up for this. In the shoe wardrobe, you’ll find some of the world’s most sought after kicks in ultra-rare colours and designs.

The store itself is conveniently located on Sydney’s main fashion strip to make sure you won’t be short of street style inspiration. When you’re done shoe shopping, take a good squizz at their premium threads sourced from some of the world’s best labels as well as fresh up and comers.

Butter

6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2010

Wait, what? Why is there fried chicken getting in the way of a good pair of kicks? Settle, child. Butter has fast become a Sydney favourite, fusing a sneaker store, a fried chicken joint and a champagne bar all into one fun place.

Besides selling some of the latest kicks and attracting international attention for its audacious fit-out (mural of chicks in sneakers and bikinis eating fried chicken on the ceiling), the place has also been attracting some of the most serious players in the local sneaker scene.

SoleMate

SoleMate is a store for all of the avid sneaker collectors out there. They’re often one of the first to get stock of any new collections since Sole Mate is also a consignment store as well.

Offering consumers a rare marketplace where they can buy limited editions and one-off collectable sneakers you wouldn’t be able to buy anywhere else is the ace card up this store’s sleeve.

Culture Kings

420 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Similar to Sneakerboy (and literally around the corner), shopping at Culture Kings is an experience like no other. It’s your general hub for everything streetwear from snapback hats, fitted caps, crewnecks, jackets and of course, sneakers.

The store itself is certainly a feast for the eyes along with the experience of purchasing items and to top it all off, Culture Kings bring in the best DJs to play in-store so that you’ll be dropping to the beat as drop some dough on your next pair of kicks.

Hype DC

Shop L53b Midcity Centre, Sydney, 2000

Hype DC is a safe haven for men who want a no-fuss shoe store. While other sneaker retailers work within only one or two stores, Hype DC has several locations scattered across Sydney and in major shopping centres.

Their reach is far and wide, so regardless of where you live you’re bound to find a store near you. They’re quite generous too, offering an online shopping service if you’re too lazy to leave the comfort of your home. There’s also free shipping to your humble abode or workplace if need be.

Harrolds

Shop 3042-3046, Level 3, 188 Pitt Street, 2000

For the discerning gentleman whose feet deserve nothing but pure unadulterated luxury, Harrolds is your go-to sneaker location. The Sydney luxury department store stocks some of the most extensive sneaker ranges from designer labels such as John Lobb, Giuseppe Zanotti, Comme Des Garcons, Rick Owens and more.

The store’s immaculately chic fit-out is also a sight to behold as it also stocks some of the world’s most distinguished labels like Tom Ford alongside men’s shoes. This is where to shop when you’ve made it.

Secret Sneaker Store

Shop 1001A, Pitt Street, Sydney, 2000

Hypebeasts and sneakerheads unite in their praise of Westfield’s SSS, also known as the Secret Sneaker Store. An icon of Australia’s sneaker community, this is the one-stop-shop for all of your sneaker and collectable clothing needs.

Its reputation speaks for itself – the futuristic, monochrome aesthetic and the elite quality of the customer service makes SSS a legend for footwear junkies nation-wide. SSS is also a consignment store and ensures to keep their social media updated with the latest consignment drops, so you can get your hustle on whilst indulging your footwear addictions.

REPUBLiC BOUTIQUE

Shop 10.09, World Square Shopping Centre, 644 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Turning its back on the blaring culture of the mass market, REPUBLiC BOUTIQUE dares to blaze its own monochrome trail on Sydney’s apparel scene. With a sleek interior and an atmosphere overflowing with sophistication, it’s no secret that this luxurious outlet prioritises craftsmanship over everything.

With an absence of crazy trends but an abundance of style, neutral black, white and grey tones dominate the shoe collection. These sneakers are designed for the non-conforming.

Von-Röutte

Shop 7/157 Curlewis St, Bondi Beach, Sydney, 2026

With a name that literally translates to ‘on a journey’, Von-Röutte is far more than just a sneaker store. This independent label was founded in Sydney by Brazilian couple Gus and Marina, who design and sell their creations from the artistic hub of Bondi Beach. Backgrounds in graphic design and natural sciences have enabled the couple to seamlessly blend their travel experiences of nature, architecture and landscapes into their sneaker designs.

Bringing an experimental flair to minimalist styles, Von-Röutte products effortlessly fuse the luxurious with the casual. With an emphasis on ethical and sustainable production, the product range is a tour of the globe with every design named after the city that inspired it.

Sydney Sneaker Stores FAQ

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The post Sneaker Stores Sydney: The 10 Best Stores To Grab A Fresh Pair Of Sneakers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also known as the G-Wagen, is one of the toughest vehicles money can buy. The angular 4×4 has been in continuous production for over four decades and remains one of the German marque’s most popular vehicles – even though most buyers these days are buying it for its intimidating street presence rather than its off-road performance.Traditionally, the G-Wagen came with a variety of relatively small-displacement petrol and diesel engines (such as the legendary M102 inline-four) designed for grunt and reliability rather than pure straight-line performance. These days, most G-Wagens you’ll see on the road today are packing petrol V8s. The popular Mercedes-AMG G 63 variant’s 4.0L twin-turbo V8 is even capable of hurtling the over two-tonne monster from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.But these are refined, fussy, European engines. If you’re a true-blue Aussie, what you really want is a fat, snarling donk in your 4×4 – and one crazy bastard in Victoria has done just that. We’ve written a lot about cool G-Wagens available Down Under here at DMARGE, but this 1983 300GD example might just be the most balls-to-the-wall boxy boy on the planet.

From the outside, it looks like just a regular four-door G-Class – albeit with a tasteful steel bull-bar and some tough-looking steelies clad in thick Hankook rubber, instead of the normal rapper-spec diamond-cut alloys you see on most of these cars. But it’s what’s inside that counts – both under the hood and in the cabin.Let’s cut to the chase: this G-Wagen has had the LS1 5.7L V8 and gearbox from a WH Holden Statesman swapped into it. That alone is pretty bonkers but it doesn’t stop there. Not only does it have the engine and gearbox from a ‘Stato’, but it also has the dash cluster, gear shifter and even the keys from it, too.RELATED: American Man’s Off-Road Porsche Project Is The Lockdown Inspiration Australians NeedOther Frankensteined items in the car’s interior include the steering wheel, which comes from a later-generation WK Statesman / VY Commodore, and the leather seats, which appear to be from a Mazda 3 (weird, but whatever). The LS1 also has Corvette intake covers on it, as well as a big ol’ dirty pod filter intake for maximum obnoxiousness.What’s really cool is that the Stato automatic 4-speed is mated to the original Mercedes 4WD system, which remains fully functional. The quality of the conversion looks top-notch, and the car’s even got a Queensland engineering certificate. Mad.

Foreign car companies often make a big song and dance of tuning their vehicles for Australian conditions, but we reckon if Mercedes really wanted to tap the burgeoning 4×4 market, they’d pull their fingers out, get on the phone with General Motors, and start putting filthy LS donks in G-Wagens. They’d sell like hotcakes – but we reckon they’re just afraid of the sheer, unadulterated bogan energy that would unleash.RELATED: ‘Tough As Nails’: The American 4×4 The Australian Car Market Is Crying Out ForLuckily, this magnificent creation can be yours, as it’s currently up for auction on grays.com. There’s just over a day on the auction and at the time of publishing, the highest bid is only $23,400 – good luck finding a decent V8 sedan or off-road rig for any less.It’s an absolute steal, but remember: with great bogan power comes great bogan responsibility.

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The post Mad Victorian Bastard Builds The ‘Bogan G-Wagen’ Mercedes-Benz Is Too Scared To Make appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve been waiting to return to the Island of Gods for some time now. And though much fuss was made the other week when Qantas revealed its overseas 2021 travel plan, many countries were missing from the coveted list.Though it was revealed Qantas has scheduled flights to the UK, US, Canada, and Singapore from the 18th of December and Japan and Fiji from the 19th of December (pending the government actually opening our borders), no dates were given for Indonesia.It was reported earlier this month that flights to riskier destinations with low levels of vaccination (think: Bali, Phuket, Bangkok, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City and Johannesburg) would take a little longer to be on the agenda (think: more like April 2022).However, over the weekend there was a flurry of news regarding Bali.The Indonesian government flagged plans to open Bali (the holiday isle 1.23million Australians visited in 2019) as soon as October, with the ABC reporting “foreigners are expected to be allowed back in from November once 70 per cent of the local population has been vaccinated.”But how much would that really change things for Australians? The short answer is: not much at all. Mainly because, as has happened throughout much of the pandemic, no matter what offer another country might throw at Australian tourists, until our federal government lifts our blanket travel ban we can’t go anywhere.So, in that sense, it’s irrelevant.On the other hand, the fact that Indonesia’s COVID-19 situation appears to be improving is – as well as being good news in itself – a positive sign for Australians hoping to visit Bali sooner rather than later.However: though The Indonesian government is considering reopening Bali to countries with a low spread of Covid-19 (including Japan, Singapore and New Zealand) as part of its October 2021 plan, and though Australia could easily be added to this when we hit 80% fully vaccinated – something that should happen in November 2021 – the reality is that if UK travel from Australia isn’t (at this stage) set to start until December the 18th, then it would be a miracle if Bali travel (for Australians) started in November.

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The upshot? Claims in the media that travel to Bali “could be a reality for Australians within months” may be technically true – but are a little bit misleading. Don’t break out the Bintang just yet. By the same token, the quicker Bali bounces back from the pandemic, the quicker Australians are likely to be able to visit again (whenever that may be).Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan has said the addition of confirmed cases of COVID-19 had dropped by 94.5 per cent since a peak in mid-July, 7news.com.au reports.Luhut also told a news conference that Indonesia’s hospital bed occupancy rate had fallen below 15%, while the proportion of people tested who are positive was at less than 5%.Looking to the future, Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison has said vaccine passports will be key to rejoining the world when our borders do finally open.Qantas has said it will require Australians travelling overseas to be fully vaccinated to board its flights.

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Ah, the good ol’ fashioned road trip. It’s the stuff of legends, immortalised in countless films and song lyrics eulogising the virtues of the open road. It’s the ultimate freedom: sky above, asphalt below and nothing holding you back but your sense of direction.

What you need is quality time with your car and a tale to tell when you come back – something that’s a little more feel-good buddy flick and a little less National Lampoon. We gave you the scoop on America and Europe already, so today let’s tackle the home turf. Here’s a rundown of the best driving roads in Australia.

Lasseter Highway | Northern Territory

With striking 360-degree views of uninterrupted horizon, this is road tripping at its finest. The 244 km Lasseter Highway connects Uluru east to the Stuart Highway through some of Australia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes and famous sights, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Roll down your windows, slip on your aviators, turn the tunes up and cruise the Northern Territory’s rugged natural beauty like you don’t have a care in the world.

Gormanston Road (99 Bends) | Tasmania

The winding road out of Queenstown is so famous for its twists and turns that it’s unofficially known as the 99 Bends. Formally called Gormanston Road, it’s by far the most fun and frightening stretch of black-top you’ll encounter on Tasmania’s West Coast. The curvaceous route over a mountain range is great if you want to put your car through its paces and pretend you’re a pro. Targa Tasmania’s talented rally racers can drive its 6 km in a touch over four minutes.

Lake Mountain Road | Victoria

Lake Mountain is a popular destination for skiers looking to enjoy its family-friendly resort, but the road to and from is also favoured pavement for gearheads. Top Gear Australia named Lake Mountain one of Australia’s best driving roads for a reason. It’s not the most difficult drive, but it’s a stunner. Its calm ascent through the Yarra Ranges National Park gives you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the unique scenery left behind by the Black Saturday bushfires.

Great Ocean Road | Victoria

The Great Ocean Road’s National Heritage-listed, 243-km stretch was built in honour of soldiers killed during WWI. It is one of the best driving roads in Australia as it’s a beloved tourist destination that takes travellers by world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest, over sheer limestone cliffs, past picturesque seaside towns and under koala-laden tree canopies. If you’re willing to stop, pay a visit to the wineries and fine dining options along the way.

Macquarie Pass | New South Wales

If drivers had playgrounds, this would be it. Macquarie Pass is a treasure trove of features that make car lovers go weak in the knees. Narrow roads? Check. No centre-line? Check. Limited visibility? Check. Dangerous drop-offs? Check. Hairpin bends and steep roadways? Check and check. All that adds up to a reputation for serious accidents that may deter more timid drivers, but thrillseekers can’t miss it.

Black Spur Drive | Victoria

There are two options when you travel the Black Spur. The first is to pretend you’re starring in Speed Racer (the anime version, not the live-action disaster) and let adrenaline take charge. The second is to take a more leisurely cruise down its 30 km path between Healesville and Narbethong, so you can enjoy the spectacular surroundings. If you want a relatively clear run, tackle it on a weekday. Weekends are notoriously busy.

Mount Panorama | New South Wales

Despite its reputation as a famous Aussie racing track, Mount Panorama is actually a public road with an unusual 174 m vertical difference between its highest and lowest points, and grades as steep as 1:6.13. On non-race days, cars are welcome to drive in both directions around the circuit at no charge. However, lest you be tempted to pretend it is a race day, a strict speed limit of 60 km/hr is enforced and police regularly patrol the area.

Great Alpine Road | Victoria

If you noticed a similarity in name to the Great Ocean Road, you’re on the right track. The Great Alpine Road is one of the best driving roads in Australia because it’s considered the mountain equivalent to Victoria’s famous oceanside route. Take this one slowly, piece by piece, to make the most of the towns, wineries, restaurants, fishing spots and scenic stops you’ll find along the way. The Alpine National Park is particularly worth a visit if you’re into Instagram-worthy flora and fauna.RELATED: Best Fishing Spots To Visit In Sydney

Gold Coast 600 Street Circuit | Queensland

Head to Queensland for another opportunity to drive like a pro. The Gold Coast 600 Street Circuit is a temporary track at Surfers Paradise, the third of three major racing circuits that have existed in the area. The main event is a week of show stopping celebrations and three action-packed days of V8 Supercar street racing, but during the rest of the year the circuit is regular city streets on which anyone is free to take a spin.

Adelaide Hills | South Australia

The Adelaide Hills have been made famous by Targa and Classic Adelaide tarmac rallies, and the annual Tour Down Under race for cyclists, not to mention the hundreds of enthusiasts who hit them each weekend. Their network of winding roads will leave you feeling spoilt for choice, but you won’t go wrong with any option. Rolling gradients, sinuous bends and a beautiful backdrop make for a pure driving experience to please any keen car fan.

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