Australians’ explanations for why they keep going back to Bali have raised questions about why living here can’t be as laid-back as it appears to be on the well-liked vacation island.
The inexpensive costs, the kindness of Balinese people, and their “back to basics wisdom” were at the top of the list when hundreds of Bali Bogans Facebook group members were asked what they loved best about Bali.
Beautiful beaches, affordable food, and lodging are other major draws.
Australians bemoaned the high cost of living and the excessive number of restrictions that prevent us from becoming more like Bali.
However, other participants mentioned Australian coastal towns like Cairns and Port Douglas that they claimed to have a “Bali atmosphere.”
Australians in Bali often share similar interests in beach bars, massages by the sea, beach clubs, scooter rentals, and street food, according to Brisbane resident Ricardo Samuele, who started the discussion.
“Why don’t we have the same things here in Australia?” is my inquiry. Samuele enquired.
We all adore Bali for these reasons, but Australia doesn’t offer anything comparable. These things would seem to be possible here, but don’t seem to exist, even if we share some of the same weather and beaches.
In second place behind New Zealand but much ahead of the United States, which comes in third, is Bali for Australian travelers.
However, Bali is likely more popular because to its extremely affordable way of life, affordable lodging, and beautiful beaches, which NZ vacations lack.
Australian visitors to Bali ranged from 1.2 million to 1.4 million in 2019, and the Balinese government is certain that number will be equaled in 2022 when the island reopens completely following Covid.
With so much coastline and favorable weather, especially the further north you go, many members of the Bali Bogan group concurred with Mr. Samuele that Australia has the potential for settlements that resemble Bali.
The potential are tremendous but impossible due to the enormous amount of red tape associated with anything in Australia, one woman said, pointing to the thousands of kilometers of beaches in the northern half of the country.
Online, many people bemoaned the fact that Australian beach communities couldn’t be as laid back as Bali because of the excessive bureaucratic constraints, such as council bylaws and licensing requirements.
One man concurred, saying, “There’s a lot of red tape in Australia, which is why I adore Bali, it’s back to fundamentals and common sense.”
Another man wrote, “Licensing, cost of employment, variable weather, cheaper to go there for a week than a vacation here for a long weekend, insurance, motorbike restriction rules (50cc scooter max or need class added)…
Unaware of the irony of Bali’s far stricter drug laws, one man remarked, “Maybe if Australia legalizes marijuana, things won’t be so uptight.”
In Australia, a conviction is rare, at least for a first offense, whereas in Bali, marijuana possession and usage are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
In Bali, those found trafficking marijuana risk the death penalty.
Many people also believed that the cost of living in Australia was too high and that there weren’t enough bars and casual restaurants on the beaches.
The culture there is completely different, a woman claimed.
“The Balinese people are the only reason we have the experience we do.” It would simply not be the same here.
Additionally, the cost of living differs greatly. Nobody in this room will want to provide massages for $5.
One man commented, “We’ve allowed our tourism industry to just focus on wealthy spenders.”
“There will change eventually if we all strive for a revolution in the tourism industry.”
Others concurred that any attempt to transform Australian beaches like Bali would always be lacking the Balinese inhabitants.
Nothing can ever match the smiles, hospitality, and culture of Bali, according to one woman.
Another concurred, saying “It’s the Balinese people that make it great.”
Mr. Samuele continued by saying that he thought environmental rules protected our coasts excessively.
We have plenty of coastal places that might be used for parks, restaurants, cafes, and skate parks, but a small minority continues to play the environmental card there, the man stated.
What a waste.
Some participants suggested that some Australian cities, particularly those with restaurants and pubs along the beaches, were attempting to emulate a “Bali vibe.”
One man remarked, “We do [have Bali-like areas] — it’s called Port Douglas, Queensland.”
Many refer to it as the “Bali of the north.”
Another woman said, “Cairns is starting to get the Bali Vibe.”
“I visited and stayed at the Crystalbrook Riley lately. There is summer music and a bar along the pool and beach. Numerous street markets and coastal restaurants offer affordable massages, manicures, and pedicures.