The Victoria tourism agency recently removed a post on social media after describing an unsupervised ocean beach on the Mornington Peninsula as a “pristine swimming spot.” This decision was motivated by a series of incidents, including nearly 150 rescues on state beaches in a single day. The beach in question, known as Number 16, is notorious for its dangers and is recommended only for experienced surfers.
A tourism agency deleted a post shared on social media that described an unsupervised beach on the Mornington Peninsula as a “pristine swimming area.” This post was removed after concerns were raised by the community. The Number 16 beach, located on the Bass Strait side at Rye, is known to be dangerous and is recommended only for experienced surfers. The day before the removal, a weekend of intense heat had led to an influx on the state’s beaches, resulting in nearly 150 rescues.
rapid response from the agency following safety concerns
The Victoria tourism agency quickly removed a post from social media that described an unsupervised beach on the Mornington Peninsula as a “pristine swimming location.” This sudden change was motivated by nearly 150 rescues conducted that same weekend on the region’s beaches. Locals are well aware of the dangers of Number 16 Beach, located on the Bass Strait side at Rye, and have frequently reported it. On the Visit Victoria site, the beach is indicated as being “recommended only for experienced surfers,” but a video posted on Instagram labeled the location as an attractive swimming area. This post, followed by 1.1 million followers, was modified following local concerns before being completely removed.
growing activities and dangers on social media
The beaches of the Mornington Peninsula are not all safe, and the allure of spectacular landscapes on social media makes them popular. This trend has attracted many visitors drawn by the beauty of rock formations, such as the famous “Dragon Head Rock.” Photography activities become frequent at dusk, but safety is often overlooked. Dangers lurk in unexpected waves and currents, with rescue equipment often absent. The impact of social media encourages many to visit potentially risky areas, inspired by videos shared by other users on platforms like TikTok. Thus, the promotional post led to unexpected consequences and required immediate intervention to prevent further incidents.
Drew Cooper, a member of the Mornington Peninsula Back Beaches Collective, noted that the rock pool at the beach, which has not been warned about its dangers, is particularly appealing. Cooper emphasized the lack of appropriate signage for these beaches, with some requiring locals to create their own signs to alert others to the dangers. Safety declarations for these areas provoke a collective reaction highlighting the need for increased patrolling of the port areas. It is important that those seeking secluded spots by the sea consider the risks and opt for patrolled beaches.
consequences of inappropriate posting and preventive measures
The consequences of a poorly calibrated message on social media can be crucial, as shown by the deletion of the tourism agency’s post after the risks associated with this beach were highlighted. Community safety was emphasized in Visit Victoria’s decision to remove the post, especially during heat waves when many seek cool places. Those responsible for these sites must be aware of the impact of their posts and act accordingly. The incident also reminded everyone of the importance of clear and transparent communication concerning the characteristics of natural sites classified as dangerous.
Preventive measures are therefore essential to protect visitors from unforeseen dangers. Beaches recommended solely for experienced surfers, as mentioned on the Visit Melbourne site, should be clearly and accurately marked. This situation encourages valuing communication around risky areas and exercising caution when exploring these beautiful landscapes. Effective management through precise descriptions on tourism platforms will help ensure a safe experience for all vacationers visiting the Mornington Peninsula.
