‘This looks like a nightmare’: One photo is ‘everything wrong with Australia’

A single picture of a private beach over the weekend has gained traction — exposing “everything wrong with Australia”.

Large parts of the nation were hit with an unseasonable blast of warm weather over the last few days — sending people to the beach in droves as the mercury soared.

However, one gathering on a Sydney beach — along the Kurnell Peninsula — has sparked fury, with cars as far as the eye can see lined up on the sandy banks.

The photo, taken by Channel 9 at Sydney’s Boat Harbour Park, has caused many to question why cars are allowed on the beach in the first place.

In a post to X – formerly known as Twitter – the action has been referred to as a “nightmare”:
“This looks like a nightmare. How not to enjoy a day at the beach.”

This looks like a nightmare. How not to enjoy a day at the beach in #Sydney. pic.twitter.com/4wJYBMhbua

— Dallas Kilponen (@dallaskilponen) September 16, 2023

“How is that even allowed!? everything that’s wrong with Australia right there,” one person commented beneath the photo.

“Disgraceful really … All the gas guzzlers crushing nature, dripping oil and grease,” another wrote.

Another pointed out that despite the number of cars parked on the beach, there’s barely anyone in the water.

Yeah…Nah. Hardly anyone swimming and there’s only one sensible family with a beach shade…

— Ngoc Hoang (@Noxter69) September 17, 2023

Despite some voicing their distaste for beached cars, the act is permitted at Boat Harbour.
The beachfront is part of a private block of land which has been owned by the Holt family since 1861.
“Boat Harbour Park is a spectacular and pristine parcel of beachfront land where our customers can enjoy the unique experience of driving their 4WDs along more than 2kms of Sydney beach only 40 mins drive from the CBD,” the Holt Estate website states.

“The only place in Sydney you can set up your own BBQ on the beach, right next to your car, enjoy a picnic with friends and family and be just metres from the crystal clear water when you decide it’s time to cool off.”
In a statement, Duncan McComb, CEO of Holt Estate 1861, pointed out that the beach is one of few that allows vehicle access in NSW.
“The Holt family has allowed visitors with their vehicles onto the beach for decades. It has become a treasured family outing for many people and it’s one of the few beaches in NSW where vehicles have access,” he said.
“The users pay a fee that is used to provide management of the area, as well as care and maintenance of the beach, dunes and surrounds.”

Boat Harbour is one of the only beaches in NSW that allows cars access. Picture: Facebook

The beach, being private property, has also introduced a system where exclusive access is given via a ballot system for pass holders during Sundays and public holidays between October and Easter.

“By doing this, we’ll minimise both the disappointment of reaching capacity and turning people away, as well as preventing any overflow of customers from negatively impacting the roads and community around us,” the website states.

Season pass holders receive a text and an email asking them to either opt-in or out of a ballot for a particular nominated day.

Invitations are then randomly allocated, and successful pass holders are able to spend an unlimited amount of time at the beach on their allocated day.
Each season pass covers six months, with options for both January-June and July-December available for a fee of $185.
The passes are not transferable between vehicles.
Day passes are also available at $40 per car for Monday-Saturday, and $50 for Sundays and Public Holidays.

Temperature records for September to be broken

A brutal heatwave washing across Australia will break temperature records for September and pummel millions of Australians until Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has released a “severe heatwave” warning for the NSW south coast, warning punishing low to mid-30s temperatures will continue until midweek.

“These temperatures are above average by around 10C to 15C and persist for an unusually prolonged period for this time of year,” the bureau states.

The bureau believes the “very uncommon” September heat will likely break records for the most number of days in a row above 30C until a cold front later on Wednesday eases conditions.

Sydneysiders flock to the beach to cool off in the hot weather. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The heat is impacting South Australia, Victoria and NSW, with the wave expected to hit Brisbane on Thursday.

Temperatures in Sydney will hit 33C on Tuesday and 34C on Wednesday.

The bureau predicts a maximum temperature of 34C to hit Brisbane on Thursday.

Health officials are warning that babies and the elderly face severe health risks from the heat.

NSW Health executive director of health protection Jeremy McAnulty said people should minimise heat exposure and reduce their physical activity outdoors in the next few days.

“Don’t wait until you’re thirsty before drinking water,” he said.

“It’s best to try and avoid the heat of the day by staying indoors and keeping curtains and blinds shut early.

“If you don’t have airconditioning, using a fan, wetting your skin with a sponge, spray or water-soaked towel can help to keep you cool.”

Heat exposure can cause severe illness, hospital admission and even death.

Multiple bushfires have also broken out across Queensland in the dry weather.

AVOID SMOKE - Emerald - fire as at 8:47am Monday, 18 September 2023.
For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://t.co/vqyJTUPBhe. pic.twitter.com/m5s4wvw5Gz

— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) September 17, 2023

— with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘This looks like a nightmare’: One photo is ‘everything wrong with Australia’