Tourism Agency Deletes Post About Unpatrolled Beach on Mornington Peninsula
A tourism agency has retracted a post promoting a dangerous beach as a swimming spot
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, Beach Safety, Swimming, Rescues
This beach is known for being pretty dangerous, especially for anyone who isn’t an experienced surfer. Just last Saturday, there were nearly 150 rescues across the state’s beaches. Yikes!
A local woman noticed the post on Instagram and reached out to the agency. They quickly changed the wording to “pristine beach” before pulling the whole thing down. Talk about a quick turnaround!
Drew Cooper, a local, mentioned that the beach is popular with photographers, especially at sunset. But he also pointed out that there’s a lack of warning signs about the dangers, like freak waves. Some residents have even made their own signs to warn people.
When asked about the post, a spokesperson for Visit Victoria said they care about community safety and decided to remove it after hearing concerns.
This isn’t just a minor issue. Last year, a young man named Jona Kinivuwai tragically drowned at Number 16 beach, and his body was never found. His family had seen videos of the beach on TikTok before they went.
On that same busy Saturday, lifesavers had to perform two mass rescues at nearby beaches. It’s clear that people are drawn to these remote spots, but they really should stick to patrolled beaches for their safety.
Visit Melbourne’s website does mention the beach’s beautiful rock formations and warns about the tides and surf conditions. But it’s still a risky place for a swim.
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