From Far North Queensland to Tasmania, Australian beaches are once again dotted with a sea of beach tents, with none more crowded than the famous Lorne shoreline.
This popular Victorian beach along the Great Ocean Road has gone viral after social media footage revealed the sand covered in a near-perfect grid of blue-and-white canopies, stretching endlessly.
Journalist Jacqui Felgate shared a video during the holiday break showing Lorne Beach transformed into what looked like an unofficial CoolCabana convention. The tents were packed so tightly that barely any sand was visible.
In previous summers, shade tents faced criticism for taking over beaches and obstructing views. But this year, public opinion seems to have shifted.
Hundreds of commenters praised the shade tents and their users for prioritising sun safety in a country with the world’s highest melanoma rates.
Some expressed confusion over past criticism, while others, including nurses, emphasised the health benefits and dismissed complaints, telling detractors to “suck it up.”
Though a few critics remain, they were quickly countered by supporters advocating for sun protection.
The growing acceptance of these tents highlights a broader cultural shift towards sun safety, as melanoma rates have significantly dropped among Australians under 40.
With fewer young people seeking tans and more embracing sun protection, the once-controversial tents are now a symbol of this change.
