Many people will want to observe the elipse from a beach.
Australian beaches are public places and anyone can go there.
However you will need a permit for any "commercial activity".
An astronomy club taking members to the beach for the eclipse should be fine.
But if it is part of a tour and you have paid for it and especially if there is some activity like a BBQ then you may need a permit. And there is of course a fee for that.
If you do get a permit it may allow you to put up a tape barrier to protect your equipment from wandering members of the public. But you would have to ask for approval of that.
The Cairns Regional Council is the responsible body (for beaches from Cairns to the Port Douglas area) and there is information on their website:
http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/communi...ATE=2012-11-01
This includes a link to the booking form.
Note that the site says that bookings need to be done by the 30th Sept, but if yours is a simple request I understand that they may still respond to your request.
Enjoy the eclipse.
Terry