Kakadu is one of the most iconic Australian destinations there is.But visitor access to one of its most popular sites – Gunlom Falls – is now under question after traditional owners have requested its closure.Though the top of Gunlom Falls was closed at traditional owners’ request in 2019, the closure of the whole site could soon be on the cards.The proposal to close it comes amid an ongoing court case between sacred sites watchdog the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) and Parks Australia. The AAPA is prosecuting Parks Australia for sacred site offences related to the unauthorised construction of a walking track near the popular Gunlom Falls infinity fall.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ZAHARA SWIM (@zaharaswim)

As the ABC reports, members of an Aboriginal land trust want the site to remain closed until the court battle is resolved.According to the ABC, “Gunlom Land Trust chairperson Mick Markham said custodians resolved to close Gunlom Falls at a meeting late last week, blaming Parks Australia’s ‘breach of our lease agreement and lack of respect for our sacred sites.'”He told the ABC authorities were advised of the decision on Monday morning and he expected the gate at the South Alligator River to be locked within the week.“Mr Markham said he wanted Gunlom Falls to remain closed to the public until the legal action was resolved,” (ABC).“We have to protect the sites — it’s our religion,” Mr Markham told the ABC.“That site has been there for over 10,000 years, when the saltwater was eroding the cliff face,” he added.

“The traditional owners apologise to the tourists but for us to get our point across, we feel this is the only way.”

Parks Australia on Wednesday provided DMARGE with the following statement from the Director of National Parks.“The Director of National Parks is committed to working closely with the Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of Kakadu National Park and is making significant progress in this regard.”“In an Open Letter to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), sent 1 April 2021, the Director of National Parks (DNP) reaffirmed her commitment to the re-alignment of the walking track at Gunlom – for which Authority Certificates have been sought and obtained from AAPA.”“In the Open Letter to AAPA, the Director of National Parks acknowledged that there were concerns surrounding the process that was followed in relation to the Gunlom site and was genuinely sorry for any distress caused.”“The Director of National Parks acknowledges the importance of sacred sites and the shortcomings in the process adopted for the Gunlom works and has provided an assurance to Traditional Owners that the shortcomings will not be repeated in the future.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hike Australia (@hike_australia)

Marion Scrymgour from the Northern Land Council – an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth responsible for assisting Aboriginal peoples in the Top End of the Northern Territory to acquire and manage their traditional lands and seas – told the ABC the NLC supported the calls of Jawoyn traditional owners to protect the Gunlom region.“We are continuing discussions with Jawoyn traditional owners on taking appropriate measures, including site closure and other legal options,” she said.

“The NLC supports the call from Jawoyn traditional owners for Parks Australia to accept responsibility and make good the damage that has been caused.”

Parks Australia told DMARGE on Wednesday it had yet to receive a formal request from the NLC to close the Gunlom area, and that the site was currently closed anyway due to seasonal conditions and until crocodile surveys can be completed.It remains unclear whether, once the legal dispute has been resolved, both the top and bottom pools will open, or whether only the bottom area will open.Though northernterritory.com and some tourism operators still list Gunlom’s plunge pool as a place to visit (presumably the pages have not been updated), the steep drop off in Instagram posts taken at the top of the site since 2019 would suggest the tourist ban has been taken seriously (with the new posts appearing either to be taken in other areas, or to be throwbacks).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JESSICA LEE (@jess_hollier)

At the time of writing, Parks Australia’s site clearly states Gunlom Falls is closed.One tourist (not any of those pictured in this article) who has visited Gunlom in the past told DMARGE, “Gunlom was one of the highlights of my trip. The colours and scenery were magic! It really [showed] the beauty of Australia. We are so lucky to live in such a naturally beautiful country.”“That was a moment I’ll treasure forever and I hope that it stays open for others to experience such magic too.”“Everyone was very respectful of the area. As the sun set it was silent as everyone was so captivated by what we were witnessing.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hannah I Spirit of Traveling (@hannahstravelnotes)

Tripadvisor reviews from 2020 and 2021 show that while some tourists are respectful and understanding of the changes, others are unfortunately less so.One user wrote: “The care takers are worse than a salty they totally kill the place and any fun to be had. No music, $15 bucks per head just for arriving not even advertised. You can’t even talk after 8pm without the Sheila complaining and telling us she will call the police if she hears us laugh again. New care takers needed they are extremely rude and controlling.”Another, in August 2020, wrote: “Would of been nice to know that you can no longer access these pools above the water fall, its the only reason I did the long drive down a horrible dirt road, no signs on the way in saying they are closed just a small sign before the walking track! Not happy at all and a total waste of time.”Another responded: “I really think people who are super entitled and having a whinge about the top pools being closed should really just jog on.”“For starters, who goes anywhere without doing research these days? Gunlom top pools have been closed for quite some time, so how can anyone with the internet not know that. Secondly, There is so much more that Kakadu has to offer, than a few, overdone, instagram shots. Sure it is a nice place, but If you have any type of intelligence, or cultural awareness, you will remember that Kakadu is ABORIGINAL land.”“It is a sacred place, and if the traditional owners want to close part of it, then respect that and stop complaining. Not only is Kakadu their home, it is their sacred land. In your own home, you have decisions about who visits and who doesn’t. It’s the same thing. Entitled people, unfortunately seem to think the world is theirs to access at all times. You forget, it is not an open, public spot and the only reason you have access to any of it, is because the Traditional owners have allowed you to come in.”“If you’re only at Kakadu for the Gunlom top pools, then you’re really missing out on all that Kakadu has to offer. Go do something else. Everyone has seen photos of the top pools to death. And we all know that’s why you’re there. Instagram shots. Go do something cultural for a change.”

Read Next

• Iconic Australian Destination Closed After Disrespectful Tourist Behaviour 
• The Stunning Australian ‘Maldives Alternative’ Few Tourists Know About

The post Push To Close Kakadu's Gunlom Falls During Legal Battle Over Sacred Site Offences appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Tom Brady‘s career has been so long and so star-studded that it’s easy to think that’s he’s just… Always been there. Like a fact of life. Since the year 2000, Brady has dominated American football like no other player ever has, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, despite his age of 43.Being the GOAT comes with serious perks – in Brady’s case, a rather healthy bank balance with which he can indulge in one of his chief passions, namely high-end timepieces. Brady’s watch collection contains everything from Rolex Milgausses to Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks, as well as pieces from brands he’s endorsed: previously a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback also signed a deal with IWC Schaffhausen back in 2019.Brady was a fan of the prestigious Swiss brand before he inked his endorsement deal, however – he was notably spotted with a black IWC Pilot Worldtimer on his wrist whilst he was still with TAG. Indeed, the very first nice watch he bought himself back in the early noughties was an IWC, which he showed off on his Instagram Story last week.The watch in question? A GST Chronograph Rattrapante: not only a really tasteful way to start off one’s watch collecting career but also a surprisingly affordable pick-up for anyone who’s a fan of Mr. California Cool himself, or just nice watches in general.

IWC’s GST line (which stands for ‘gold, steel, titanium’) is no longer in production, with this model specifically only being offered from 2000 to 2003. ‘Rattrapante’ refers to the watch’s double chronograph function, which enables the wearer to measure two elapsed times simultaneously thanks to its two superimposed chronograph hands. This is one of the most elaborate complications in the watchmaking world and a real hallmark of haute horlogerie.With three subdials, a double-graduated inner bezel and a prominent day-date window, it’s quite a sporty watch – as well as being quite chunky, being 43mm wide and 17.2mm thick. Of course, that’s not a problem for a muscly football player like Brady.RELATED: Tom Brady Shares Smart 12 Step Checklist For Maximum Recovery & GainsBrady’s example, which features a desirable rhodium dial and stainless steel case, looks like a million bucks. But the reality is that it’s a rather affordable high-end timepiece. A quick browse on Chrono24 reveals you can pick one up for as little as 6,719 AUD – a remarkable deal when you consider that a modern IWC rattrapante would set you back closer to 20,000 AUD.

The TB12 co-sign aside, we think it’s a rather underrated watch and the fact you can pick one up for such a comparatively affordable sum is outrageous. Of course, the Brady connection adds a lot to the watch’s appeal.Indeed, the IWC GST Rattrapante could end up being quite a good little investment. A celebrity endorsement can do wonders for a watch’s value as an investment – take the Rolex Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ or the Heuer Monaco ‘Steve McQueen’. As the Brady legend grows, perhaps the value of this watch will too.A Hail Mary, or a guaranteed touchdown? You be the judge.

Read Next

• Roger Federer Relaxes In Switzerland With A Refreshing New Rolex
• LeBron James Spotted Wearing Most Controversial Watch Of 2021

The post Tom Brady Flexes His First Luxury Watch Purchase… & It’s Surprisingly Affordable appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’re guilty of romanticising being ~in the moment~ as much as the next troglodyte. But – as one British man just found out – it’s not just your mental well-being Instagram can pummel.Strolling along the picturesque Old Harry Rocks region of England’s Jurassic Coast on Saturday, a 28-year-old man is reported to have slipped while taking a selfie and fallen 37 metres off a cliff.Fortunately, he survived with remarkably minor injuries after landing in about 4ft of water.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Manuel Dietrich | Germany (@manueldietrichphotography)

Ian Brown, of the inshore Swanage lifeboat team, told The Sun: “I honestly don’t know how he is still alive today.”“It is a sheer drop of anywhere between 90 feet to 120 feet (27m to 37m) there. The tide was in at the time and he landed in the water.”

“He is incredibly lucky to have suffered relatively minor injuries.”

“Apparently he was conscious and talking and was fine. His injuries were reported to have been cuts and bruises.”Mr Brown also told The Sun: “We are seeing a lot of people get too close to the edge there to take selfies all the time.”

“The cliffs there are very crumbly and our advice to anyone is to stand at least 5m back.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Julia Chernetska (@ch_juliaa)

The man and five friends were visiting from London, The Sun reports, and were sightseeing in the classic spot, which is UNESCO World Heritage listed.Lisa Andrews, who was at the scene, told The Sun: “We were nearby. I spoke to a man who witnessed it.”

“Apparently he was taking a selfie and slipped. Apparently people were warning him he was too close. I really hope he is OK.”

Instagram posts from as little as one day ago suggest clifftop photos have continued in the region since the man fell on Saturday.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by eat sleep rave repeat (@koowciu)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Darren Wells (@dmwells81)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gabriele Butnoraite (@butnoraite)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kyle Page (@kylepage23)

Some can be seen taking their pooches along for the ride, too…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by A.M. (@murristair)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shelley Stickland (@shelley__stickland)

Much as we believe people should be free to take whatever risks they like with their own lives (though it does get a little murkier when other people are tangentially involved) and much as we admire the British ‘Carry On‘ spirit (and much as some of the people pictured above appear to be exercising, in our eyes, a fair degree of caution), in some cases, it does appear Mr Brown’s 5 metre recommendation is not being followed.It is also possible some of these photos are throwbacks.Besides social media, as DMARGE recently discussed with Gary Prebble, the owner of Sydney French restaurant Bistro St Jacques, arguably ruining the ‘meditative’ aspect of an experience of a meal (or a walk), as the above incident shows, it can have more immediate effects.RELATED: Paris Local Reveals The Secret To Drinking Coffee The True French Way What’s more: this incident is far from isolated. Tourists have met tragic ends (or almost met them) all over the world in recent years, in risking it for the ‘gram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ash Wills (@ash___wilko)

In 2018 in Australia, for instance, NSW rangers were so overrun with people risking their lives to take photos at Sydney’s Wedding Cake Rock, they called in the police to help them.RELATED: Australians Can Now Be Fined $3,300 For For Taking Gratuitous SelfiesNSW Parks and Wildlife told the ABC at the time: “NSW Police have been assisting them with ‘site compliance’ at Wedding Cake Rock, a popular tourist spot which has become swamped with people attempting to take the perfect shot for social media sites such as Instagram.”

“The site at Wedding Cake Rock is protected by a 1.6-metre-high fence, erected in 2016 in an attempt to prevent tourists from standing on the rock” (ABC).

A 2015 geotechnical report reportedly found the rock could, without warning, collapse at any time into the sea 50 metres below.Not that this has stopped people wanting to take photos there…In March 2016, the government introduced fines of up to $3,300 for anyone caught climbing the fence.However, tourists and locals alike continually ignore the threat of the fines and continue to take photos in the place where a French tourist fell to his death in 2014, two men had to be winched to safety in 2015 and a teenage girl’s body was found beneath in 2017.Risky photo-taking has been seen in many countries including (but not limited to) Egypt (where an influencer was jailed in 2020 for taking a provocative photo), Brazil (where reckless Rio de Janiero clifftop photos have made headlines worldwide) and America (where a couple appear to have died while taking photos in Yosemite).As Fast Company poins out, “Risk-taking social media photography deaths and injuries roughly tripled in number from the beginning of 2014 to the end of 2015, according to media analysis conducted by researchers in Turkey.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U (@angela_nikolau)

It’s also worth noting that a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found that some 259 people died taking selfies between October 2011 and November 2017.In a similar vein, “Instagram image printing service Inkifi has analysed news reports to uncover… 330 deaths and injuries have been caused by selfie-taking over the last decade,” Travel Weekly reports.The big issue, according to many, is that the content creators providing the inspiration for the rest of us tend to be quite athletic, skillfull and adept at judging risk (though, given there are always elements outside anyone’s control, what they do is still very risky). The rest of us? Not so much (something DMARGE found out ourselves when we went waterfall hunting on Australia’s east coast).RELATED: I Went To NSW’s Most Instagram Famous Waterfall. It Was A Complete DisasterAs psychologist and author Tracy P. Alloway told Fast Company, many of those who come a cropper are not habitual social media risk takers or rising social media stars, but regular people who happened to be killed while taking selfies during unusual circumstances.New Zealand’s national tourism board earlier this year even launched a campaign to encourage tourists to stop travelling ‘under the social influence.’In any case: for those who have had their travel buds piqued by the English Jurassic Coast sights above, you might be interested to know the entire English coastline became accessible in 2020, when the England Coast Path National Trail was completed, offering hikers, campers, swimmers and wildlife lovers access to the world’s longest walking route.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hamish Cook (@hamishacook)

As The Lonely Planet reported at the time, at 4,500kms long, the England Coast Path will be the world’s longest continuous track, connecting the entire English coastline through a network of public trails.Assuming an elevation and descent of roughly 100m throughout, hiking calculators estimate this journey would take about 1,120 hours of walking (think: 94 days of plodding from 6am to 6pm, with no breaks), to complete.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by THE BEST HOLIDAY VIBE (@bestholidayvibe)

One to add to the bucket list. Just be careful with those photos.

Read Next

• World’s Longest Coastal Path Opens In Most Unlikely Location
• I Tried Bali’s Instagram Famous Floating Breakfast. It Was A Complete Disaster

The post British Tourist's Big Mistake Proves Danger Of Travelling 'Under The Instagram Influence' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Australians love a good barbecue. From the time-honoured tradition of democracy sausages come voting time to eating freshly-grilled prawns (not shrimp, thank you very much) for Christmas lunch in the scorching heat, our love affair with the ‘barbie’ is a crucial part of our national identity.

But other countries like barbecuing too. Some, even, do it better than us – as much as that might sit uncomfortably. Indeed, there’s one European summer barbecue trend that most of Australia is blissfully ignorant of, or straight-up isn’t allowed to partake in: the beauty of the disposable BBQ.

Head to just about any public park (or even public space) in Europe come summertime and you’ll see people cooking all manner of things on small, disposable BBQs. Made of aluminium, wood or even cardboard in some cases, these convenient cooking devices are incredibly cheap – usually only a few Euros (or francs, or pounds, pick your poison really) – and incredibly easy to use. You can find them at most supermarkets. Sometimes they’re even packaged with meat; a real one-stop-shop.

One of the fondest memories I have of living in Europe was relaxing by the River Aare in Bern with a bunch of my mates, taking advantage of a disposable BBQ (as well as Switzerland’s relaxed open alcohol container laws). It was blissful; liberating, even: for us Aussies among the group, it felt like we were getting away with something naughty. But it was just good, clean and delicious fun.

Australia, on the other hand, has much stricter fire laws thanks to our arid climate. You can’t just bring a BBQ – disposable, portable or otherwise – to any beach or public park and hope to cook up a storm.

Maybe that’s why it seems so bizarre to us. Don’t believe me? Check out this excerpt from an Australian documentary (aptly titled Barbecue) of some Swedes getting their grill on with disposable BBQs at a summer get-together.

Of course, the disposable BBQ (or simply the freedom to grill wherever one wishes) comes with its downsides. The hot aluminium trays are notorious for destroying grass in public parks, and not everyone cleans up properly after themselves.

It’s not as if Europe’s complete open slather to grill wherever you want, either: many parks ban disposable BBQs or barbecuing entirely. The Portuguese take bushfires seriously too, for example.

As a matter of fact, most countries are envious of Australia’s approach to public barbecuing. Most public parks in Australia have permanent, free BBQs that anyone can use – which, as the Daily Mail reports, often comes as a shock to foreigners.

It’s probably why the disposable BBQ trend has never taken off here: because you just don’t need to buy disposable or even portable BBQs when there’s so many decent, public, free BBQs around the country.

The grills are always greener on the other side, we suppose…

The post Disposable Grills Take Europe By Storm, Will Australia Be Next On This BBQ Trend? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The melting pot of peace and harmony that is Byron Bay just had a controversy.

A man, whose Facebook profile says he lives there, has taken to the local Facebook community board to share a disgraceful incident that allegedly just happened at iconic Byron Bay surf break The Pass.

“TO THE FUCKING WANKER RIDING HIS LONGBOARD WITHOUT A LEG ROOE AT THE PASS TONIGHT…. YES THE ONE WHO LOST HIS GREEN LONGBOARD WHICH COMPLETELY SMASHED MY PARTNER LEAVING INABLE TO WALK NOW….”

“THANKS FOR HELPING HER ONTO THE BEACH THEN LEAVING HER THERE WHILE YOU JUST PADDLED OUT TO DO THE SAME TO SOMEONE ELSE…. I KNOW EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE I SAW YOU OUT THERE… IF I SEE YOU IN THE WATER TOMORROW ARVO YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY SHITTY TIME.”

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU DICKHEADS WHO THINK ITS COOL TO SURF WITHOUT A LEG ROPE!”

“ITS NOT 1964 IDIOTS!”

“YOUR ENDANGERING EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WATER BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU LOOK HALF COOL. YOU DONT YOU ARROGANT PRICKS.”

“SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED SOON FROM THIS BULLSHIT RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR.”

He also said, further down in the comments: “Interesting how not one of you entitled non leg rope wearing pieces of shit have commented.”

“I’ll see you all in the water tomorrow arvo and we can all have a wee little chat.”

161 Facebook users have so far commented on the post.

Surf publication BeachGrit, which first reported on the post, wrote on Tuesday: “There appears to be very little support for the fucking wanker on a leashless green longboard.”

Comments from the community board appear to bear that out.

“Just wait on shore and take the free board. You should get a 5 min head start.”

“Sad this happens far too regularly, why can’t they make it law to wear a leash.”

“No legrope..it’s simple. Just fuck off.”

“Apparently you can’t walk the plank with a leg rope so I’ve been told by a 21 year old male with a blonde bowl cut haircut, driving a 60s series land cruiser.”

Another surfer (and photographer) Jess Parkes wrote: “My mates have always teased me for wearing a leggie. I just tell them they’re dangerous and off I trot. It doesn’t impede your surfing you can still cross step and walk to the nose. And as a surf photographer I promise y’all it doesn’t look uncool. And yep I’ve had clients ask if I can edit their leggy out.”

“I don’t know when the brainwashing began that instilled in them this nonsense but leggies are literally a tether for the massive weapon we are riding on in the unpredictable sea. It’s uncool to NOT wear one.”

Jess elaborated further to DMARGE: “It wasn’t a thing to wear leggies when Pete Drouyn, Nat Young Bob McTavish etc. were surfing. And this era inspired a lot of longboarders – myself included – so I understand the desire to emulate this vibe.”

“But there’s a gargantuan difference between those splendid carefree UNCROWDED days and today’s surfing. Anyone not tethering their board to themselves when there are 100 people around them are just nuts in my humble little opinion.”

BeachGrit also, however, asked the question, “But does he [the fucking wanker on a leashless green longboard] have the silent majority in his corner?”

Though much disgust was directed at the ‘fucking wanker on a leashless green longboard’ in the BeachGrit comments too, one remark defended their existence (or, at least, argued we shouldn’t go the way of America).

“Get fucked. In the same way the ocean has sharks and sometimes they bite, the ocean has hipsters and sometimes they lose their 1500$ longboard when surfing leashless. Perhaps you may enjoy chess or some other safer pastime.”

“I tend to agree,” another wrote. “Dodging an errant log is pretty much the only exhilarating moment when surfing a 2ft sand bottom point break with 500 shit c*nts.”

Glib? Absolutely. Selfish? Possibly. True? Many short boarders would say there’s something in it, we reckon.

We put it to Jess.

Her answer?

“To the people saying maybe we should just play chess. That made me laugh. But I don’t agree that making noise about surf safety is being over the top.”

“Surfing is dangerous. I’m an underwater photographer and it’s a beautiful unpredictable dangerous environment. It’s Mother Ocean. She’s magic and wild. It’s why we are all there – to immerse ourselves in the tonic of the wild.”

“We just don’t need an added danger and I totally understand some people may not be aware some may have always been used to surfing without one etc. But the negative spiteful attitude that people like this bloke on Facey are describing – it’s just pitiful behaviour.”

“We need to educate one another on ocean safety and respectful surfing etiquette before someone gets an 11inch fin or 10 feet of glassed weaponry to the face. Because it does happen and it’s so gnarly.”

Going back to the Byron Bay Community Crowd, comments like, “You should sue the person,” continue rolling in, with users pointing to articles published by the likes of Swellnet and the ABC regarding the legality of incidents like this in the surf (this is also far from the first time this issue has caused a stir in Byron).

The original aggravated user also made some good points of his own: “Bunch of hipster wanna be’s Peace and love but fuck everyone else’s safety in the water because they think they look hot shit. Guaranteed none of these dickheads have kids as they wouldn’t be putting them in danger like that.”

Further issues discussed included encouraging mal riders to tie their boards to their cars better (“Hipsters tie your Mal’s down with two straps on the roof racks, one strap to try and look Cool just isn’t safe, I have seen a mal come flying off a cars roof on the highway near Brunswick Heads”) and dealing with negative events in a positive way.

Speaking of: one user criticised the way the situation had been dealt with.

“Instead of making public posts threatening violence which will only scare the guy into hiding, you should be calling for witnesses so he can be identified. Then hand it over to the police. Get a medical assessment of the injuries while they are still fresh for a possible injury claim.”

Another Facebook user wrote: “I’m very sorry to hear about your partner, hope she’s ok. Do you think retaliating with threats and violence is the answer. Having a conversation pointing out the impact his actions has had on your partner would be a more positive approach.”

Fortunately, another Facebook user chimed in with a potential solution: “I’m happy to offer a free healing session or more.. even for the shock and upset.”

Read Next

• ‘You’ve Got To Be Joking’: Yuppie Coffee Order Leaves Byron Bay Barista Stunned
• ‘Most Byron Photo Ever’ Divides Australia

The post ‘It’s Not 1964, Idiots’: Byron Bay Local's Warning To Reckless Endless Summer Surfers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The last twelve months has seen Australia reignite its love affair with the automobile in a big way, especially where 4x4s are concerned.The demand for cars, fuelled by an aversion towards public transport as well as a renewed interest in road trips (both a result of the COVID-19 crisis) has seen the second-hand market absolutely skyrocket, with capable off-roaders like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser in particularly high demand.But one car that’s seen the most dramatic spike in popularity – as well as speculation – has been the humble Suzuki Jimny. The fourth ‘GJ’ generation of the hardy Japanese mini-SUV, the Suzuki Jimny was first introduced in 2018, has quickly become one of the most desirable vehicles in the country. It’s not hard to see why, either: cute, practical, reliable and cheap, it ticks all the boxes.RELATED: Australians Ditching Luxury SUVs For This Pint-Sized Japanese AlternativeOr at least, Suzuki Jimnys used to be cheap. While the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Jimny starts at the rather affordable $28,490, severe stock shortages (another impact of COVID) combined with unprecedented demand has seen Aussies flipping these little cars with the same sort of intensity and price premiums that you’d normally see on ‘hyped’ luxury goods like Rolex watches.

Let’s do the numbers. As of publishing, there are currently 47 Suzuki Jimny GJs listed on Carsales in Australia. None of them are selling for below the MSRP of $28,490. Indeed, the cheapest on Carsales, a beige manual 2019 base model with around 41,000km on the clock, is listed for $34,000. That’s roughly a 20% premium over retail. According to Budget Direct, the average Australian vehicle drives 13,301km per year. That would make the 41,000km of this two-year-old GJ well above average.Conventional wisdom normally relates that a new car loses about 10-15% of its value in depreciation the moment you drive it off the dealer’s lot, with another 10-15% getting wiped off its value by the end of its first year of ownership. So a two-year-old car with above-average mileage commanding a 20% price premium is unusual, to say the least.RELATED: Car Brands Australians Should Buy If They Want To Minimise Depreciation, According To Auto ExpertsThe most expensive model on Carsales, another beige example, this time an automatic from 2020 with only 1,600km showing, is listed for $50,000. That’s an over 75% premium. Granted, it’s not a base model nor is it stock – it has some cosmetic modifications that the owner claims are worth $1,500 – and 1,600km is below average mileage for a year-old car. Yet the point still stands: Jimny prices are extraordinarily high, especially considering it’s a current model from a value-oriented Japanese marque.It reminds us immediately of the same sort of speculation popular Rolex models have been experiencing for years. Take the Rolex Submariner ‘No Date’ (ref. 124060-0001) which was re-released last year. A quick search on Chrono24 reveals dozens of examples of the watch, some box-fresh, some barely worn, all of which are commanding a substantial premium over the $11,400 Australian RRP: on the low end around a 45% premium and at the high end as much as a 105% premium. Again, extraordinarily high prices for a stainless steel sports watch.

With waitlists for Suzuki Jimnys starting to rival waitlists for Submariners too, the comparison is rather apt. Both Rolex and Suzuki have also suffered severe manufacturing disruption thanks to The Spicy Cough… And both brands regularly cop criticism from Australians for not allocating enough stock Down Under.RELATED: Canada, China or Colombia? Where To Score Rolex’s Hard To Find ModelsDemonstrably, the situation with Jimnys isn’t quite as bad as it is with Rolexes. Speculators aren’t literally just driving off the lot and slapping their cars on the classifieds straight away, as is so often the case with desirable Rolex models like Submariners or Daytonas. At least, they aren’t yet.Suzuki’s plans to expand Jimny production to India as well as to introduce a five-door model might take some of the heat out of the GJ market. Australian-spec Jimnys are likely to continue to be sourced from Japan, although the Indian production line could help reduce local wait times as it shoulders some of the global demand from the stretched Japanese plant, WhichCar reports.But that could be months if not years away – meaning that Suzuki Jimny prices are likely to remain eye-wateringly high for a while yet.All we know is that it’s a tough time to be an Australian Jimny or Rolex fan.

Read Next

• Tesla’s Big Money Problem Is Killing The Planet
• Why Australia’s Least Regarded Profession Deserves A Second Chance In 2021

The post Suzuki Jimny Price Increase In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Despite being called “bootlicking statists” by (some) right-wingers from across the pond (who ironically, in normal times, are the ones advocating for stricter border policies), many Australians are happy with their government’s response to the pandemic, a recent poll suggests.

“More than a year after the nation’s borders were closed, preventing Australians from travelling overseas without an exemption, a Lowy Institute poll has shown only… 18 per cent of people, feel all Australians should be free to leave the country,” SBS News reported on Monday.

The survey was completed between the 15th and the 29th of March 2021, by 2,222 adults.

41% – almost half the respondents – agreed with the current international travel ban, which requires Australians to apply for special exemptions before being allowed to leave the country.

“But equally, 40 per cent also believed those who have been vaccinated should be free to leave,” SBS News reports.

More key findings included:

• The majority of Australians (59%) say the federal government has done the right amount in helping Australians overseas return home, while one third (33%) say the government has not done enough.
• Almost all Australian adults (95%) say that Australia has handled COVID-19 well, with a 22-point jump in those saying Australia has handled COVID-19 ‘very well’. By contrast, only 19% say the United Kingdom has handled the pandemic well, and 7% say the United States has handled COVID-19 well.
• More Australians in 2021 say that China has handled COVID-19 well compared with last year, with 45% saying China has handled it very or fairly well (up 14 points from 2020).
• Eight in ten (83%) say Australia should help Pacific Island countries to pay for COVID-19 vaccines, and 60% say the same about Southeast Asian countries.

To see the full results of the poll, head on over to the Lowy Institute.

RELATED: Yet Another Video Has Americans Up In Arms About Life In Australia

Australia’s success in containing the virus has been the subject of much debate in America, with videos showing what life is like with 0 locally acquired Covid cases igniting controversy online as some asked their compatriots why Americans didn’t comply with rules like Australia did, and others arguing it wasn’t that simple (or simply sounding off in the comments).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by COMPLEX (@complex)

The survey, it’s worth noting, was conducted before the Australian government implemented an India travel ban in response to the increase in Covid cases in hotel quarantine from people arriving from India.

The move was “an extreme use of a power most people didn’t know existed” The Guardian reports, and sparked a storm of criticism (read more about it here).

At the time of writing Australia has had 29,841 total cases and 910 deaths. Globally there have been 153M total cases and 3.2M deaths.

Read Next

• Incredible ‘New Normal’ Manhattan Scene Shows Everything Wrong With America
• ‘Defiant’ Photo Shows France’s ‘Flirty’ Culture Hasn’t Changed Since Lockdown

The post 41% Of Australians Agree With International Travel Ban, Poll Suggests appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you think of Cuba you think of beaches, rum and pastel-drenched buildings.

What you don’t think of is Russian tourists. This is because the top two tourism markets for Cuba, up until the pandemic struck, were Canada and the United States.

Behind Canada and the United States, travellers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain (as well as from emerging markets like China, Vietnam and South Africa) typically comprised most of Cuba’s tourism market.

But that was then.

Now, El Pais reports, “Covid-19 restrictions have prevented the vast majority of foreign tourists from travelling [to Cuba] and close to 85% of Cuba’s hotels are shut but an enforced year off has allowed the beaches to recover and nature to flourish, while some of the most emblematic hotels in the famous resort have taken the opportunity to carry out significant refurbishments.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@burakozcivitrus)

According to El Pais, “With Canadian tourism on standby and Europe waiting until summer arrives to make a decision on international travel, Russians have become the main customers.”

“On average one flight a day arrives from Moscow with around 20,000 tourists a month arriving from Russia.”

Recent Instagram posts under popular Cuban tourist geotags like ‘Havana, Cuba’ and ‘Varadero, Cuba’ appear to back this up, with various photos having been posted of late with Russian captions.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mila Gustomyasova (@mrs_gustos)

On top of that, hotels like Meliá, El Pais reports, have employed Russian translators and are offering traditional Russian dishes at its restaurants as well as menus in the Cyrillic alphabet.

“A few days ago, a veteran Meliá hotel manager greeted a group of enthused Muscovite guests in the lobby in their language: ‘Добро пожаловать [welcome].’ C’est la vie, and in Cuba the ability to adapt is key,” (El Pais).”

Though Russians have never made up such a high percentage of Cuba’s visitors before, perhaps it’s not as surprising as you think: since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba and Russia have kept up their diplomatic relations.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Ernest Verkner (@ernestverkner)

After Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, relations between the two communist countries heightened. In fact, Russia is still Cuba’s leading creditor and the two countries maintain close economic ties.

That said, the relationship hasn’t always been easy. During The Special Period in Time of Peace in Cuba (an extended period of economic crisis that began in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union) the island experienced extreme food and resource shortages – which lead to a lot of animosity towards Russia.

Back to the beach though: Varadero, Cuba’s top beach destination, sits on a 13-mile-long peninsula with powder-soft sands lapped by waters of the Kawama Channel.

Tripadvisor writes that: “Resort hotels teem along the shore that U.S. celebrities and gangsters, including Capone, discovered in the 1920s.”

“Clubs and bars provide mojitos and merriment, after long days baking on the beach, golfing, diving or deep sea fishing. Rent a scooter or hop aboard an open-air tourist train or bus to see more of this stunning spot. Caves, keys and virgin forest add to the area’s allure.”

Though the place sounds lovely, Twitter users have pointed out it’s not all sunshine and roses in Cuba.

i get the point you’re trying to make and while there are some praise-worthy things about cuba, if you truly knew what life is for the average cuban (who does not live in habana or varadero, places tourists frequent) you would, to say the least, NOT be holding it on a pedestal.

— andrómeda (@hippiespacial) October 11, 2020

As The New York Times recently reported, neither is Russia.

Tourism is a key component of the Cuban economy. Reuters reports that Cuban tourism industry revenues in 2019 (before the pandemic struck) were $2.6 billion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Аня Ветрова (@annyvetrova)

The following year, according to Statistica, the tourism economy nosedived: “in the first quarter of 2020, Cuba registered 982.13 thousand inbound tourist arrivals, which represents 23 percent of the volume of international tourism in the Caribbean island in 2019.”

At the time of writing, Cuba stands at 109k total Covid cases, with 102k recovered and 664 deaths.

Read Next

• Dostoevsky Quote Sums Up Russia’s Worrying Approach To Coronavirus
• ‘Scary’ Soviet Alcohol Advertisement Reveals Little Known Truth About Russian Culture

The post Unlikely New Country Keeping Cuba's Tourism Industry Alive appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Justin Bieber certainly marches to the beat of his own drum.The Canadian pop star’s personality might have mellowed somewhat since his marriage to model and socialite Hailey Baldwin, but at the same time, his style instincts have become even wilder.We’ve previously described following Bieber’s evolving fashion journey as a “wild ride” but what’s even wilder is his latest haircut. If following Bieber is like riding a rollercoaster, we’ve hit the stomach-lurching stage of the ride.Yesterday, Bieber shared a slew of images on Instagram of himself out on a golf course in Miami with frequent musical collaborator DJ Khaled and rapper 21 Savage. In the shots, Bieber can be seen with his hair teased into a bizarre sort of dreadlocks/ponytails combination.In short, it looks a bit off – and many “Beliebers” aren’t vibing with it.

Choice comments online include “boy take the dreads off they ain’t it”, “love the voice, not the hair” and simply “SHAVE IT”. Of course, there’s also mountains of emojis and fans saying they’re in love with him, so who are we to judge?RELATED: Post Malone’s ‘Imperial’ Haircut Is The Hottest Men’s Grooming Trend Right NowDreadlocks as a hairstyle come with a lot of cultural baggage. Formed by matting and braiding one’s hair, many cultures around the globe have traditionally worn the style. However, these days it’s most commonly associated with the African diaspora and Rastafarianism. White people wearing dreadlocks has been a common source of friction and debate around cultural appropriation.RELATED: Kendall Jenner’s New Tequila Brand Sparks Fierce Cultural Appropriation DebateIt also makes you look like a British trustafarian.Dreadlocks, if done properly and in a culturally sensitive way can look great, and even classy – just look at some of Lewis Hamilton’s past haircuts. But Bieber’s take hasn’t had quite the same reception.At least his recent music’s been good. 21 Savage and Bieber both appear on Let It Go, the sixth track on DJ Khaled’s twelfth studio album Khaled Khaled. Bieber’s sixth studio album Justice, released last month, has been going gangbusters, too.

Read Next

• Romeo Beckham’s ‘Errol Flynn Spec’ Moustache Is Straight Out Of The 1930s
• Scott Disick Rocking The Men’s Hairstyle Trend That Refused To Die In 2020

The post Justin Bieber’s Aggressive New Haircut Inspired By Formula 1 Legend appeared first on DMARGE Australia.