'Nightmarish' discovery at popular Aussie beach: 'I'd have a heart attack'
Some branded the footage simply beautiful. Others couldn't look away quicker, labelling it 'totally creepy'.
Aussies have been left shocked and confused after a woman posted footage of her bizarre, "alien-like" discovery that washed ashore at a popular east coast beach.
The woman, from NSW, said she stumbled across the "intriguing" sight on Saturday at Birubi Beach in Port Stephens. "It was beautiful, but I’d probably have a heart attack if it was floating in the water with me," she wrote.
"Anyone have any idea on how this is created? It was completely covered in all these little creatures. My first thought was Pirates of the Caribbean and The Black Pearl." In the images, a large structure is seen on the sand, appearing at first to resemble a deceased marine animal covered in barnacles.
A closer inspection of the of the "beautiful" yet "creepy" find reveals hundreds, possibly thousands of tiny shellfish and crustaceans attached to the object's main body, which people said looked like something "from Stranger Things".
Aussies all over the country debate origins of 'amazing' beach find
What started as a single post resulted in an onslaught of responses from people all over the country — many in disbelief at what was before them.
"100 per cent having nightmares from this video tonight," one person said. "That video looks like Medusa come alive. Wow, that’s intriguing alright," said another.
'Terrifying' discovery washes ashore on 'cursed' Aussie beach
Creepy 'Medusa' creature found on Aussie beach – can inflict pain for 36 hours
"This is absolutely amazing. Get this back in the ocean quickly, all these amazing crustaceans and marine animals," commented a third. "Awesome, most unusual thing. I have never seen this before," another said.
Others said the find highlights just how "amazing nature is", though some said it made their "skin crawl". The upload attracted hundreds of interactions and equally as many debated its origins. Eventually, the original poster clarified how she uncovered the truth.
"It’s a large log that has been in the water for a while and has become home to gooseneck barnacles and a host of different marine creatures," she said.
"I did mention it to National Parks when I reported all the dead and exhausted Shearwater birds on the beach, but they just said it’s not uncommon after the type of southerly’s and rough seas we've been getting."
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
