Two nude sunbathing men got lost in NSW bushland after they were startled by a deer and had to be rescued by police.
When they eventually were found in the Royal National Park at Otford on the South Coast, including one man who was still fully naked, the pair was slugged $1000 fines each for breaking coronavirus restrictions.
NSW Police chief Mick Fuller described the episode as "unbelievable" and the men as "idiots".
READ MORE: Sydney's COVID-19 cluster grows as 18 new cases announced
Police were alerted around 6pm yesterday after the men had spent a crisp and sunny winter afternoon at a remote beach and got lost.
That call for help sparked a flurry of search activity, involving police, the State Emergency Service, NSW Ambulance and Polair chopper.
Searchers soon found a 30-year-old man naked and carrying a backpack on the walking track near Lady Wakehurst Drive.
Later, a 49-year-old man, partially clothed, was also located.
The men told police they were on a nearby beach when they ran into bushland after being startled by a deer.
"It's difficult to legislate against idiots," Mr Fuller said.
He said they had put people "at risk" by leaving home without a proper reason.
"Then not only on top of that ... getting lost in the national park and diverting important resources away from the health operation, I think they should be embarrassed."
READ MORE: Australia facing 'biggest threat' yet as virus spread across borders
The pair were among 44 people issued with infringement notices for breaching the public health order yesterday.
A 33-year-old man from Ermington in Sydney's north-west was also stopped at Goulburn and fined for leaving metro Sydney without reasonable excuse.
Police said they slugged four people $200 fines for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
