Aussies outraged after being forced to pay a fee to access some of the country's most iconic beaches

Aussies are fired up over a new fee introduced at some of the most popular beaches in the country.

Just in time for summer, a Melbourne council is trialling paid parking at Flinders Pier, Schnapper Point and Sunnyside Beach on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Aussie families, already grappling with the cost-of-living crisis and the pricey festive season will be stung $6.20 an hour.

Sunnyside and Flinders has all day parking, with no time limits.

For those wanting to visit Schnapper Point, beachgoers have the additional choice of two-hour and four-hour parking.

Visitors to all three areas will have the new parking fee capped at $19.50 for the day.

Understandably, people visiting the beach were not impressed with one venting their frustration to 7 News. 

'It’s a beach. Why should we have to pay for it?' they said.

Another added: 'We won’t stay here. We’ll travel further on where we don’t have to pay.'

Others said they were happy to pay, as long as the revenue raised went directly to maintaining the beaches and foreshore area.  

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Simon Brooks defended the unpopular move.

'It was in response to a few challenges. Like growing visitor numbers, as we have 7.5 million visitors come down here every year,' he said.

'It costs us about $8 million a year to maintain our foreshore areas.' 

The council has installed new cameras at a cost of $165,000 to catch beach visitors who skip the payment or overstay the new four hours limit.

Beachgoers will have to put up with the paid parking trial for nine months, but this could be extended. 

Local residents will be exempt from the new fees, but must apply for a free ePermit at mornpen.vic.gov.au/epermits