Why a photo of a sign at a beach has outraged Aussies – and you won’t believe how much you have to pay to visit it

Aussies are outraged by a sign blocking access to a beach unless visitors have paid for a permit.

A woman was left stunned after making the journey to Middle Beach, also known as Dharrpamiwuy, near the north-eastern tip of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

She shared a photo on social media platform

‘You are entering a designated recreation area on private property. A Dhimurru Visitor Entry Permit is required to enter,” it said.

The visitor lashed out at the sign that said she “would not be stopped from entering public places in my own country.”

‘It seems like a great place to swim. Let’s go!’ she wrote.

An annual family permit, which includes two adults and up to four children, costs $207.50, while an individual must pay $108 for a year of access.

A one-month visitor costs an individual $89.25, while a 14-day permit costs $57.60 and a three-day permit costs $39.

Children get a permit for up to one month for $15.50.

Several social media users expressed anger at having to purchase a permit to enter the country.

“The best way to get rid of an unpleasant/unfair law is to continually break it en masse,” one person said.

‘Which government expects you to get a permit to enjoy a beach? The only way all this nonsense ends is if we collectively stop conforming to it,” said another.

“Taxpayers foot the bill for maintaining these areas. Just walk in,” a third responded.

Another added: “We have been taught such a narrow view, no doubt deliberately designed to sow division.”

“We were all born on this planet, it’s our home, everything. No group can claim one part of it, while the whole belongs to everyone,” they wrote.

“Our soul purpose as custodians is to take care of it and that is simply: leave it as you found it. It seems beyond ridiculous to have to pay to live on a planet you were born on.”

Middle Beach, also known as Dharrpamiwuy, is described ‘as the perfect place to sit and enjoy the surroundings’

However, some people felt that the sign should be heeded.

“Be grateful that you have indigenous peoples who care for the land and water,” they wrote.

‘On a purely public beach there is likely to be rubbish, or worse. Some of the indigenous people where I live in Colombia have been on the land for 3,000 years.

“It thrives because they value it more than anything.”

Others pointed out that there was another sign nearby warning visitors to be careful of crocodiles.

“Do you see that sign, but not the sign behind it warning of deadly saltwater crocodiles and deadly stingers in the area?” wrote one.

‘That’s why the first one is there, because all kinds of stupid people don’t read the signs!’

Traditional owners, the Yolŋu, require permits to travel and visit various parts of East Arnhem Land, which are issued by the non-profit organization Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.

“The Aboriginal Land Act NT 1978 requires all individuals to hold a valid permit,” according to the company’s website.

‘These permits give residents and visitors the opportunity to enter the recreational areas as much as they want for daily use, for walking, visiting beaches and inland waters, fishing, barbecuing, and so on.

‘This also allows you to purchase a camping permit if you are staying overnight in Dhimurru recreation areas.’

An Arnhem Land tourist attraction said Middle Beach has ‘a beautiful wide stretch of white sand and plenty of shade from the various casuarina trees dotted around, making it the perfect place to sit and enjoy the surroundings’.

“If you’re lucky, you might even find one of the local food trucks here serving fresh fish and chips or pizza,” the site says.

‘This beach is also the location of one of the Gove Peninsula’s biggest events – the Nhulunbuy Rotary Club’s annual beach volleyball tournament.

As idyllic as that sounds, a number of