Calls for beach cabana regulations in popular tourist hotspots

Space is at a premium at Noosa Main Beach during peak holiday periods. (Supplied: Jordy's Drone Photography)

It is a spectacular sight from the air as the glittering ocean meets a sea of colourful cabanas on Noosa Main Beach.

Local drone photographer Jordan Haynes has captured stunning images of the Queensland holiday hotspot in recent years.

But he has noticed cabanas have been steadily filling the frame.

"They look pretty cool with all the different colours," he said. 

"There's more [cabanas] than there is sand in some of the images."

Noosa Main Beach has been filled with cabanas over summer. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

Tourism Australia beach ambassador Brad Farmer has a different view of the cabana craze, describing it as "visual pollution".

"Australian beaches are looking a lot more like Bali or Thailand or Europe these days with the proliferation of beach furniture," Mr Farmer said. 

He said a feature of Australian beaches was being "free and open" to everyone. 

"My principal concern is around the safety of rescue services to get to people who might be in trouble," he said. 

The popularity of beach cabanas at Noosa has grown over the past two years. (Supplied: Jordy's Drone Photography)

"It would be solved by placing [cabanas] back on the high-tide mark or 100 metres away from the access point. 

"You want to be able to walk straight to the beach … rather than have to navigate this incredible maze to the water's edge."

Mr Farmer said he recognised his views might be unpopular but said it was about people observing "beach etiquette". 

Cabanas afford beachgoers sun protection, allowing them to spend more time on the sand. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

PM throws shade at 'sand hogs'

The Cancer Council said the growing use of cabanas was an encouraging sign that more people were being sun smart. 

But committee chair Anne Crust said while portable shades were a good way to protect from harmful rays, UV radiation could still affect those under shelter.

"You still need to be doing the other aspects of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide," Professor Crust said.

And while cabanas can provide protection from the sun's damaging rays, beach etiquette has become such a hot topic that the prime minister has weighed in.

Anthony Albanese was asked on breakfast television this week if he agreed with the practice of so-called "sand hogs" who set up early to reserve a spot, then leave their gear unmanned before returning later in the day.

"In some parts of the world you've got to pay to go to the beach," Mr Albanese told The Today Show.

"Here, everyone owns the beach.

"It's a place where every Australian is equal and that's a breach of that principle really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours."

Yanchep Lagoon in Western Australia has also seen cabana popularity began to soar. (Supplied: Dylan Alcock)

Many beachgoers have no issue with people calling dibs, as long as there's enough space. 

Roberto Da Silva got in early at Noosa Main Beach ahead of a family beach outing.

Mr Da Silva got in early to find a spot at the beach. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

"We came at 7:30 in the morning to set up, and then we went back to the resort to get organised for the day and came back about 10 o'clock," he said.

"At the start of the day there's only like 50 and now I'd say about 300 cabanas."

Noosa teenager Tom Boll said the cabanas were much better than beach umbrellas that "always fly away".

Mr Boll [left] said some beachgoers went to extreme lengths to secure a prime position. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

But he said he had witnessed people leaving their cabanas up overnight.

"If you're not there, pull down your tent," he said.

"Don't take up too much space on the beach."

Beach access mats have been a welcome addition, but there are concerns cabanas could hinder surf lifesavers. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

Beach cabanas causing problems for surf lifesavers

Photo shows Noosa beach with heaps of cabanas on it.

From constantly moving the patrol set-up, to kids being unable to find their families, a Queensland lifesaver says the popularity of beach cabanas is creating issues.

Line in the sand

Sunshine Coast resident Simon Roskvist supported calls for a designated area.

"Maybe like they have with dogs, where dogs are on leash and dogs are not, that type of thing. I do think there's a necessity," Mr Roskvist said.

"You want them near the flagged area as well, so maybe the right hand side is for the cabanas and the left hand side is not."

Simon Roskvist doesn't mind the cabanas but thinks there should be some regulation. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

Beach equipment rental companies have been making the most of the thirst for shade.

Veedah Gjergji said while most beachgoers now had their own cabanas, they had grown in popularity among tourists.

Beach rental companies have been selling out of their cabanas-for-hire. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

"We have lots of people from other countries coming to get them," she said.

"We sell out on busy days."

Sunshine Coast lifeguard Trent Robinson encouraged beachgoers to consider access for those on patrol and emergency services.

A flock of seagulls cashing in on the cabana craze. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Grace Nakamura)

"Before people put one down, just have a look around," Mr Robinson said.

"We're very fortunate in Australia, especially on the Sunshine Coast, where there's plenty of room."

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