'Naughty’: Couple breaks beach lockdown for X-rated act

A woman’s morning beachside stroll took an unprecedented turn this week, when she spotted a couple engaging in an X-rated act on the sand.

Julie Mandruzzato, a Sydney-based photographer, was walking along the promenade at Tamarama Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs on Monday morning at about 10:30AM, when she decided to take a photo of the near-empty beach and the birds standing perfectly in the sand.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak in Australia, Tamarama Beach has been closed to visitors until next Tuesday, with Waverley Council meeting last night and agreeing to relax restrictions for surfers from Monday to Friday.

Tamarama beach during lockdown
Can you spot the X-rated act on the beach? Photo: Julie Mandruzzato

However, Julie couldn’t believe her eyes when she got home and uploaded the snap to her computer, where the zoomed in version showed a couple getting very amorous with each other in the background.

“To be honest I didn't really see what they were doing when I took the photo as my lens is not a zoom lens,” Julie told Yahoo Lifestyle.

“I just wanted the birds and the empty beach as a main topic but I had quite a laugh when it appeared on my computer screen.”

Julie said the promenade was pretty empty at the time, with only a few people taking the iconic coastal walk towards Bronte or Bondi.

Tamarama Beach at summer
Tamarama Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs is usually packed with people. Photo: Getty Images

The couple were near the rocks on the side of the beach but were still lying on the main Tamarama strip.

Julie believes “people are free to do what they want” and she doesn’t judge them at all.

After posting the image to a Facebook group, Julie said she’s glad she was able to give people a laugh in these uncertain times.

Taking to a local Facebook page, Julie wrote: “Just went to take some photos yesterday and while some people are arguing over a poor guy going for a swim, here is just what was happening in Tamarama yesterday.... I guess everyone interprets the exercise rules differently…”

People couldn’t believe what they were seeing, with one person simply writing “naughty”, while another said “morning cardio” and one person commented saying: “Love in Corona Times”.

“They’re probably getting their heart rates up and as long as they’re both moving.... it’s acceptable,” a person commented.

“Well, they are in social distance from others, aren't they?,” another person said.

While some people have accused the photo of being Photoshopped, Julie doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

“I just took the photo. Always people to have to say something or complain,” she said.

Others told her to mind her own business but Julie said she thought the couple were “punk” for doing their thing on the beach and saying “good on them”.

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.