Do you love to enjoy the beach under the shady protection of your portable cabana? Or do you think that the stripey sun-shelters are taking up too much prime real estate on our beaches? We’d love to know what you think about beach cabanas in Newcastle!
Driving down Memorial Drive on a sunny summer’s day and looking onto Bar Beach in 2025 is very different experience to just a few short years ago.
Where once the beaches were packed with people, towels and the odd umbrella, now they are packed with a mass of stripey cabanas.
And, the trend is not reserved for Novocastrians – the humble beach cabana is a must-have item for many Aussies to haul onto the sand.
According to the Cancer Council, about two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.
While many Aussies have long been aware of the need to “slip, slop, slap” on the sunscreen and the hats, in 2025 the Cancer Council also recommend “seeking shade” and “sliding on sunglasses”.
Enter the skyrocketing popularity of the beach cabana. Why not protect yourself from harmful UV rays AND extend your beach time in relative safety in the shade?
Beachgoers began to turn on cabanas – not because of their extreme popularity – but because some users were reportedly setting up their tent early in the day, or even the night before. Then leaving it empty for hours as a way to secure their prime spot near the water.
Stories about beachgoers claiming patches of sand with their cabanas became so widespread, the BBC ran a story in the UK and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepped in to comment on breakfast television where he said that the act was “not on”.
This Australia Day long weekend, Port Stephens Council is running an “educational compliance campaign” targeting unattended items such as cabanas being used to reserve spots at our popular beaches.
Mayor Leah Anderson acknowledged the significant community feedback about cabanas being left on Port Stephens beaches for days at a time during the holiday period.
“Our beaches are one of our greatest assets, available for everyone to enjoy, but over the past few weeks it’s been disappointing to hear that families and locals are finding it impossible to secure a spot due to unattended cabanas being left overnight or for multiple days,” she said.
“Personal items, especially large items like cabanas, shouldn’t be left unattended in public spaces for extended periods.”
Rangers will be increasing their attendance on Port Stephen’s beaches and unattended items left in public places can be reported to the rangers who will investigate and may take enforcement action if needed.
But what do you think?
We want to know! Get in touch and tell us about your experience with cabanas in Newcastle.
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