{"id":399381,"date":"2026-01-08T08:54:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/399381\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T08:54:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:54:12","slug":"beach-etiquette-debate-erupts-as-aussies-demand-fees-for-divisive-coolcabanas-its-protecting-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/399381\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach etiquette debate erupts as Aussies demand fees for divisive CoolCabanas: ‘It’s protecting people’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cabanas<\/a> have well and truly invaded Aussie beaches from coast to coast and it’s safe to say that they’re pretty divisive. While the large sun protection structures<\/a> keep multiple people safe from the sun’s harsh rays, some have hit out at them for taking up too much space<\/a> and encouraging bad beach etiquette.<\/p>\n

Some are even calling for cabana users to pay to access the beach. But Melbourne resident Alisha has hit back against the haters.<\/p>\n

She’s a self-described OG of the CoolCabana trend after picking up hers back in 2017, and it’s still going strong to this day.<\/p>\n

The beachgoer told Yahoo Lifestyle she had no idea they’re copping so much criticism.<\/p>\n

“There’s no need to be negative towards something that is protecting people,” she said.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

“We’ve all had great education about the sun and sun safety, and what a great way to make sure we are all enjoying the sun safely.<\/p>\n

“I understand it’s taking up space on the beach, and maybe it’s not as easy for people to walk from the sand to the water anymore.<\/p>\n

“But at the end of the day, you’re going to be taking up the space on the sand if you didn’t have a tent there. So why not just enjoy it safely?”<\/p>\n

She added that skin cancer runs in her family and while sunscreen does a great job at protecting your body from the sun, having the option to have shade at the beach can be a game-changer.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

Aussie cabana beach trend called ‘ridiculous’<\/p>\n

Whenever people post on social media about cabanas on Aussie beaches, people are very quick to defend them or call them out.<\/p>\n

Aussie TV host Jacqui Felgate recently uploaded a video showing Victoria’s Lorne beach absolutely covered in cabanas.<\/p>\n

While some praised the cabana owners for being sun safe, others thought it was a terrible look for the beach.<\/p>\n

“The beautiful people have ruined the ambience of our beautiful Lorne,” wrote one person.<\/p>\n

“Makes me never want to own one,” added another.<\/p>\n

“Ridiculous. Time the council start charging people for how much space they are taking up on the beach, blocking any views from behind,” said a third.<\/p>\n

Funnily enough, one person commented on Jacqui’s video saying they “hated” beach cabanas until they bought one, and now believed they’re the “best beach accessory a family can own”.<\/p>\n

Do beach cabanas really take up more room?<\/p>\n

Alisha hit back at the concept that these structures take up too much space on the sand.<\/p>\n

She said if you went to the beach with a few of your friends or family and had your towels side by side, it would likely take up the same amount of area.<\/p>\n

It would be more understandable if the beach was small and there was only one person underneath each cabana, but they’re usually used by multiple people who want some time away from the sun.<\/p>\n

The marketing coordinator added that they’re a huge step up from beach umbrellas (which have been responsible for killing people after getting blown away in high winds) and tents.<\/p>\n

She said at least CoolCabanas don’t block anyone’s views of the water or surrounding area.<\/p>\n

“It would be different if we were fully blocking the beach and you couldn’t use the beach at all,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.<\/p>\n

“But it’s not that big of a deal. Let people do what they want to keep safe.”<\/p>\n

She believed the hate train on beach cabanas isn’t actually grounded in anything substantial and some people are just “jumping on the bandwagon”.<\/p>\n

Cabana etiquette sorely needed to keep haters at bay<\/p>\n

Alisha did agree that beach etiquette should be followed when using a cabana.<\/p>\n

The Melbourne resident said making sure you’re a decent distance from the people around you is key.<\/p>\n

She added that the idea of going to the beach “at 6am” and setting up your cabana to reserve your spot was a grey area.<\/p>\n

“I kind of see that in two angles,” she said.<\/p>\n

SHOP:<\/p>\n

“Maybe there can be more CoolCabana etiquette amongst us owners of just setting it up when you’re using it, and then packing it up.<\/p>\n

“But then another part of me also thinks, at the end of the day, it is a public space. [The beach] is really big and they’re actually not harming anyone.”<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit out against the concept of reserving your spot on the beach.<\/p>\n

“One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, [where] you go and you’ve got to pay to go to the beach, here, everyone owns the beach,” he said<\/a> on the Today show.<\/p>\n

“It’s a place where every Australian is equal. And that’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.”<\/p>\n

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