Australian Beach Huts
All the way along the beach from Carrum to Edithvale on Port Phillip Bay are traditional English Victorian style beach huts, originally known as boat huts but now mostly used for Aussie barbeques in nice weather. Privately owned, they can change hands for tens of thousands of dollars. Those at Brighton and St Kilda are worth even more (like most things at Brighton and St Kilda).
During 2003 I photographed many of the huts. The pictures are now in my image gallery »
One hut owner I came across when taking the pictures is Joe Parker and his wife Marlene. At the time, Joe was President of the Kingston Boat Hut Association, a non-profit body which represents the hut owners in dealings with the Local Authority in control of the beaches. There are quite strict rules on what owners can or can't do, and some environmentalists want to see the beach huts removed altogether.
Given the almost complete absense of tourists in the Bay area, to me the huts bring life to the seafront. The surprising thing is that even in hot weather very few seem to actually get used. Probably they are mostly owned for their perceived chic and investment value. Beach huts on the coasts of England and Wales are worth much more, partly because they have a real purpose in providing shelter from the wind and rain, and partly because many of the coastal towns are tourist resorts, unlike the towns on Port Phillip Bay.
Either way, there's something nicely cosy in the idea of having one's personal garden shed down at the beach – a gracefully degrading 'alter domus' with a sea-view, sacrosanct, tranquil.
Related entries: Chelsea pier, Storm at Mordialloc pier.
