Cops shut down wild 'illegal' beach party at a secluded beach in Melbourne's wealthy southern suburbs - sparking furious debate over whether the boozy maskless event was 'selfish' or just a good time
A booze-filled party attended by more than 100 maskless revellers on a secluded Melbourne beach has been shut down by police.
Footage shared on social media showed large groups of partygoers wearing bikinis and shorts at Half Moon Bay in the wealthy suburb of Black Rock, 18km south-east of the Victorian capital on Sunday.
Public gatherings are limited to 10 people under the city's social distancing restrictions.
Victoria Police shut down the party about 4.30pm and sent people home but did not issue any fines or make any arrests.
A booze-filled beach party attended by more than 100 maskless revellers on a secluded Melbourne beach has been shut down by police
The decision to end the beachside fun though did not go down well with many Melburnians - saying those in attendance deserved to let their hair down after the city's punishing second COVID-19 lockdown.
'Why are people so invested and snitching on what others are doing to live their lives and have fun?' one social media user wrote.
'I guess it's called being young and free,' another said.
'What a beautiful sight. Thanks for sharing. It's good to see people enjoying themselves at the beach.'
Others though said the police were justified in shutting down the gathering.
'Total disrespect on others, and wear your bloody masks!! Fine the lot!!' one commenter wrote.
Pictured: Half Moon Bay in south-eastern Melbourne. The decision to end the beachside fun split opinion among Melburnians
Some thought those in attendance deserved to let their hair down after the city's punishing second COVID-19 lockdown. Pictured is another large gathering at the same location shared online on November 3
A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia officers were called to the beach after receiving 'reports of a large gathering'.
'Upon arrival, police told the group to move along and the crowd broke up without incident,' the spokeswoman said.
'There were no arrests or fines issued at this stage.'