List of social nudity places in Oceania explained

This is a list of social nudity places in Oceania for recreation. It includes free beaches (or clothing-optional beaches or nude beaches), swimming holes and lakes and some naturist resorts.^[1] It does not include resorts that allow women to sunbathe top-free, or where indigenous peoples maintain their customs regarding clothing.

Australia

Australian Capital Territory

• Kambah Pool

New South Wales

The following beaches and resorts in New South Wales are legally nudist or clothing optional:

• Arcadia
• Armands Beach, Bermagui, Sapphire Coast^[2]
• Birdie Beach, Lake Munmorah^[3]
• BB at Byron Bay Luxury Naturist Retreat (Affiliated ANF)
• Coast and Valley Nudists
• Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay, Sydney Harbour^{[4] [5]} (name changed in 1977 from Lady Jane Beach)
• Cobblers Beach, Mosman, Sydney Harbour^[6]
• Kiata Country Club Sydney
• Naturi Club
• Obelisk Beach, Mosman, Sydney Harbour^[7]
• River Island Nature Retreat
• Rosco Club Incorporated
• Samurai Beach, One Mile^[8]
• Twin Falls Naturist Retreat | url = https://www.twin-falls.com |
• Werrong Beach, Royal National Park^[9]
• Wrenbrook

The following beaches are regularly used by naturists, but nude bathing may not be legally protected:

• Belongil Beach, Byron Bay
• Tyagarah Beach, Byron Bay
• Kings Beach, Broken Head, near Byron Bay
• Curracurrang, Royal National Park
• Flint and Steel Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
• Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse^[10]
• Little Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour^[11]
• Little Jibbon Beach, Royal National Park^[12]
• Marley Beach, Royal National Park
• Shelley Beach, Royal National Park
• Seven Mile Beach, Seven Mile Beach National Park
• Washaway Beach, Sydney Harbour National Park

Northern Territory

• Casuarina Beach, Darwin

Queensland

There is no legal nude beach in Queensland. This was restated in April 2016 following another petition to the Labor State Government who said they would not approve a nudist beach. Police Minister Bill Byrne on May 2, 2016 rejected two attempts - a paper petition with 527 signatures and an online petition bearing 946 names - to create a "clothing optional beach". Petitioners wanted a beach "for the recreational use of those who wish to sunbathe or swim nude without the fear of prosecution". Minister Byrne said the State's Public Safety Business Agency advised Queensland's wilful exposure laws were designed to protect citizens and keep them safe.. "As such, I can advise that the Queensland government has no plans to change the current legislation dealing with wilful exposure, therefore the designation of a clothing optional beach is not supported at this time."

Queensland is the only mainland state in Australia that has no legal nude beaches.

Current unofficial beaches are:

• Alexandria Bay (known as "A Bay") near Noosa is a popular spot with nudists and arguably the most tolerated nude beach.^{[13] [4] [14] [15]}
• Bribie Island - Remote beaches on Bribie were once popular with nudists, though Moreton Bay rangers as well as police now regularly patrol this remote island.
• Buchan Point, at the southern edge of Ellis Beach, 27km (17miles) north of Cairns.
• Cow Bay, two hours north of Cairns^[4] within the Daintree Rainforest.

The following resorts are naturist or clothing optional:

• GG's Naturist Retreat
• Balkaz
• Cooroy Colony
• Eagles View
• Elephant Rock
• Savannah Park
• Tranquility (now closed)
• Whiptail
• Pacific sun Friends Donybrooke
• Nakedstay Sunshine coast Hinterland

South Australia

The following beaches in South Australia are used by nudists:

• Maslin Beach^{[16] [4] [17]}
• Ocean Beach near Robe
• Pelican Point, Barmera
• Murrippi Beach, near Whyalla
• Point Drummond, Eyre Peninsula (not legal)
• Macs Beach, near Price on Yorke Peninsula. (Unofficial) Very isolated with miles of beach to be away from anyone.

Tasmania

Tasmania Police in February 2016 said that it was illegal to swim or be in a public place without appropriate attire and patrols at Seven Mile Beach would be increased in response to the complaints.^[18]

Nudists use the following beaches:^[19]

• Bakers Beach^[20]
• Green's Peninsula Beach
• Nude Beach – section of beach naturally secluded by a rocky outcrop, beyond the south-western end of Hinsby Beach, Taroona^[21]
• Seven Mile Beach

Victoria

Victoria has over 20001NaN1 of coastline with hundreds of beaches.^[22] Three of those beaches are legal clothes-optional beaches:^[23]

• Sunnyside North Beach, Mount Eliza, Port Philip Bay on the Mornington Peninsula^{[4] [24]}
• Point Impossible Beach, Torquay, West Coast
• Southside Beach, near Bells Beach, West Coast

Previously listed as clothes-optional beach:

• Campbell's Cove, near Werribee South. Campbells Cove had clothing-optional status removed by Wyndham City Council in July 2016.^[25]

The following are not legal nudist beaches but are used by nudists:

• Cape Conran
• Cutlers Beach, Wonthaggi
• The Oaks, Inverloch

Western Australia

The following are legal nudist beaches in Western Australia:^[26]

• North Swanbourne Beach^[4]
• Warnbro Beach, Rockingham^{[27] [28]}
• Mindalong Beach, Bunbury
• Mauritius Beach, Exmouth^{[29] [30]}
• East Pretty Pool, Port Hedland
• Ten Mile Lagoon, Esperance^[31]

The following resort is Naturist:

• Sunseekers Nudist Club^{[32] [33]}

The following beaches are used by naturists, but nude bathing may not be legally protected:

• Cable Beach, Broome
• Redgate Beach, Margaret River

New Caledonia

Whilst topless sunbathing is popular in Noumea, it is considered socially unacceptable outside of the city in other areas of New Caledonia. The only unofficial nude beach is Plage des Nudistes, which is located on Nouville peninsular near Noumea. It is not well known by tourists and attracts mostly males.^[34]

New Zealand

See also: Naturism in New Zealand. There is no law prohibiting nakedness in public. In cases of ‘public nakedness’ the police go to the Summary Offences Act 1981 and consider, S27 Obscene/Indecent exposure; S4 Offensive behaviour; or S4 Disorderly behaviour.

In 1991 an appeal to the High Court won and determined that the legal definition of 'offensive' was not met by mere nakedness, even in the presence of children, on the grounds that a reasonable person would "regard the conduct... as inappropriate, unnecessary, and in bad taste, but not arousing feelings of anger, disgust, or outrage."^[35] There had to be 'intent to offend'. Public nudity on beaches is generally not enforceable. There have been a number of successful legal challenges to being naked in a public area, including cycling and running, so long as there was no intent to offend.^[36]

In 2012 a number of complaints regarding behavior at Auckland beaches led to warnings being issued by police at some which have a history of use by naturists. However, no official action was taken.^[37]

Beaches

North Island

• Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula
• Rarawa Beach near Ngataki
• Tapotupotu Bay^[38]
• Uretiti Beach^{[39] [40]}
• Waitata Bay, Russell^[38]

• Fitzpatrick Bay
• Herne Bay
• Karekare Beach^[40]
• Ladies Bay, Saint Heliers^{[39] [40]}
• Little Palm Beach, Waiheke Island^{[39] [40] [41]}
• O'Neills Beach^[38]
• Orpheus Bay^[38]
• St Leonards Beach, Takapuna^{[38] [40]}
• Pohutukawa Bay (Long Bay), North Shore^{[39] [40]}

• Opoutere Beach^{[38] [42]}

• Waihi Beach^[38]
• Papamoa Beach, Tauranga^{[39] [40]}

• Tapuae Beach, New Plymouth

• Ototoka Beach, Whanganui^[38]

• Ocean Beach^[38]

• Breaker Bay^{[39] [40]}
• Peka Peka Beach, Kāpiti Coast^{[39] [40]}

South Island

• Moturoa / Rabbit Island, Richmond^[38]
• Breakers Bay, Kaiteriteri

• Barrytown Beach^[43]
• Carters Beach^[43]
• Lake Kaniere^[43]

• Ashworths Beach^[44]
• Waikuku Beach^[38]
• Woodend Beach, Woodend^[38]

• Camp Bay
• Hikuraki Bay^[40]
• Spencer Park Beach^[38]
• Taylors Mistake Beach^[38]
• Tumbledown Bay

• Homestead Bay, Lake Wānaka^{[43] [45]}
• Willsher Bay, Kaka Point^[46]

• Allans Beach^[43]
  • Boulder Beach Doctors Point Beach^[43]
• Kaikai Beach
• Mapoutahi Cove^[43]
• Ryans Beach
• Sandfly Bay^[43]
• Smaills Beach^[43]
  • • Victory Beach Warrington Beach Whareakeake (Murdering Beach)^[43]

• Whakaputa Beach

• North Beach

Clubs

• Auckland Counties Sun Club, Auckland
• Auckland Naturist Orewa, Auckland
• Auckland Outdoor Naturist Club, Auckland
• Autumn Farm, Golden Bay
• Bay of Plenty Sun Club, Whakatāne
• Guysers Gaystay B&B (for men), Rotorua
• Hauraki Naturally, Hauraki Plains, (Website)
• Hawkes Bay Outdoor Leisure Club, Napier
• Katikati Naturist Park, Bay of Plenty
• Manawatu Naturist Club, Oroua Downs, Manawatū District^[47]
• Nelson Sun Club, Nelson^[48]
• Orchard Sun Club, Sutton, Dunedin^[48]
• Pineglades Naturist Club, Rolleston^[48]
• Rotota Sun Club, Rotorua^[49]
• South Canterbury Sun Club, Geraldine^[48]
• Southern Naturally, Invercargill^[48]
• Wai-natur Naturist Park, Blenheim^[48]
• Wellington Naturist Club, Te Mārua, Upper Hutt
• Woodside Park/Waikato Outdoor Society, Hamilton^[50]

United States

Hawaii

Nude beaches can be found on Hawaii's four largest islands. Some are officially designated as nude beaches, while others officially forbid nudity but tolerate it in practice.

Oahu

• Sand Island is an island within Honolulu on the island of Oahu. On the small island, accessible by causeway, at the southwestern most point, is a small secluded beach that is often frequented by nudists. Nudity is illegal at Sand Island due to a state park rule against nudity.
• Polo Beach in Makaleha City and County Park on the North Shore of Oahu has an clothing optional area. Look for a white rail fence on Farrington Highway right or ocean side about four miles west of Haleiwa, north shore. Park there. When entering the beach area from the dirt access trail from highway where park rules sign is walk RIGHT (NOT left) on the beach for clothing optional. Signage prohibiting nudity was removed in 2016.

Hawai‘i (Big Island)

• Kehena (“Dolphin Beach”) is a black sand beach in the Puna District of the island of Hawai‘i.
• Hangin’ Loose Clothing-Optional Retreat & Botanical Gardens is a thirty-minute drive from Kehena in the Puna District of the Island of Hawai‘i, the “Big Island.”

Maui

• Little Mākena Beach. A sign forbidding nudity was erected in 2021 as the beach is in a state park where nudity is illegal. Nevertheless nudism remains common here. Located in Mākena State Park, Maui.^[51]
• Red Sand Beach near Hāna^[52]
• Slaughterhouse Beach in Hana Highway on Maui
• Pāʻia Secret Beach near Paia^[53]

Kaua‘i

• Kauapea Beach on Kaua‘i. The English name is Secret Beach. Walk along the sand east, towards the light house on the cliff, until you reach Third and Fourth Beaches. There are "showers", outpourings of water from the rock wall between Second and Third Beaches where you can shower.
• Donkey Beach on Kaua‘i was a clothing-optional beach, but recent development of a coastal bike path means it is no longer secluded and used by nudists.^[54] Hawaii is a topfree state, there has never been a law against topfree sunbathing at NON state park beaches like this one. It IS illegal at state park beaches.
• Larsen's Beach on Kaua‘i. This is the primary clothing-optional Beach on Kauai. The Hawaiian name is Lepeuli.

External links

• Sydney Nudist Information
• Free Beaches Australia
• Australian Nude Beaches on Google Maps

Notes and References

1. Web site: Swimmers go wild over best bushland waterholes . Way . Peter . dailytelegraph.com.au . 19 October 2015 . 2015-10-20 .
2. Web site: 2023-12-23 . Armands Beach, NSW Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-27 . en-US.
3. Web site: Smith. Errol. 28 October 2014. Increasingly popular Birdie Beach may get surf patrols. 2015-08-15. The Daily Telegraph.
4. Web site: The best nudist beaches in Australia. Phillip Tang. 3 December 2014. Lonely Planet.
5. Web site: 2023-11-03 . Lady Bay Beach, Sydney ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
6. Web site: 2022-08-23 . Cobblers Beach, Sydney ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-10-03 . en-US.
7. Web site: 2023-11-03 . Obelisk Beach, Sydney ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
8. Web site: 2024-02-02 . Samurai Beach, NSW Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-02-09 . en-US.
9. Web site: 2024-03-01 . Werrong Beach, NSW Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
10. Web site: 2024-02-29 . Little Congwong Beach, Sydney NSW ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
11. Web site: 2023-09-27 . Little Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour NSW ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-10-03 . en-US.
12. Web site: 2024-03-01 . Little Jibbon Beach, Bundeena ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
13. Web site: Nudists left dangling over Alexandria Bay petition. Kathy Sundstrom. Sunshine Coast Daily. 25 October 2014. 2014-11-07.
14. Web site: 2022-10-11 . Alexandria Bay, Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
15. Web site: 2022-10-11 . Alexandria Bay, Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-27 . en-US.
16. Web site: SA Memory - Govt. makes bathing in nude legal at Maslins . State Library of South Australia. 7 September 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232236/http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=259&c=743 . 3 March 2016 .
17. Web site: 2022-10-11 . Maslin Beach ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
18. Web site: Nudity not on at Seven Mile Beach . Kempton . Helen . The Mercury. 16 February 2016 . 2016-06-01 .
19. Web site: Aussie Naturists - Nude Beaches . Aussie Naturists . 2016-02-06 .
20. Web site: Going nude could be a new opportunity . The Advocate . 13 July 2016 . 2016-08-12 .
21. Web site: Taroona News . Taroona Community Association . 1 July 2019 . 2019-07-08 .
22. Web site: Waves of fancy: Victoria's best beaches . Henly . Susan Gough . WA Today . 29 November 2008 . 2016-01-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090301034104/http://www.watoday.com.au/travel/waves-of-fancy-victorias-best-beaches-20081127-6jx2.html . 1 March 2009 . dead .
23. Web site: Nude Beaches in Victoria . Onlymelbourne.com.au . 2015-08-16.
24. Web site: 2023-12-21 . Sunnyside North Beach, Victoria Australia ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
25. Web site: Council dubbed 'wowsers' for stripping nude beach of status . ABC News. 8 July 2015 . 2016-01-13 .
26. Web site: More nude beaches to boost tourism: totaltravel.com survey. Perth Now. 7 April 2009. 2014-11-07. PerthNow.
27. Web site: Council rejects concerns over nudist beach. Roslyn Hidding. Weekend Courier. 7 January 2011. 2014-11-07. in my Community.
28. Web site: Warnbro: naturists say perverts at nude beach giving all users a 'bad rap' . Schmitt . Vanessa . Community News Group . 5 August 2016 . 2016-08-05 .
29. Web site: Exmouth Visitor Centre - The Beautiful Beaches of Ningaloo Reef. Exmouth Visitor Centre. 2014-11-07.
30. Web site: 2023-10-04 . Mauritius Beach, Exmouth ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
31. Book: Short, Andrew D. . Beaches of the Western Australian Coast - Eucla to Roebuck Bay: A Guide to Their Nature, Characteristics, Surf and Safety. 2005. Sydney University Press. 978-0-9586504-3-4. 102–.
32. Web site: Welcome to Sunseekers!. Sunseekers Nudist Club.
33. Web site: Sunseekers Nudist Club Mundaring Visitor Centre Perth Hills. www.mundaringtourism.com.au. en-AU. 2018-07-25.
34. Web site: 2022-08-23 . Plage des Nudistes, Noumea ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-08-30 . en-US.
35. Ceramalus v Police. AP No 76/91. High Court of New Zealand. 5 July 1991.
36. Web site: Nude Beaches New Zealand . Nude Beaches - nudist etiquette . 2021-04-01.
37. Web site: Warning for nude beachgoers. Jessica. Tasman-Jones. Stuff. Stuff Limited. January 16, 2012. April 1, 2021.
38. Web site: Free Beaches New Zealand . Nude Beaches - a comprehensive guide . 1 April 2021.
39. Web site: Culture Trip . The Best Nudist Beaches in New Zealand . Coates . Joe . 28 January 2018 . 1 April 2021.
40. Web site: newzealandguide . The 10 Best Nudist Beaches in New Zealand . 23 October 2021 . 24 October 2021 .
41. Web site: Yogerst. Joe. Dare to bare: 20 of the world’s best nude beaches. CNN Travel. 16 August 2023. 6 January 2024.
42. Web site: Hope. Sharnae. Coromandel beach becomes popular spot for first-time nudists. Stuff. Stuff Limited. 31 December 2021. 1 January 2022.
43. Web site: Naturist Beaches - Rest of South. FreeBeaches NZ. 2021-04-01 .
44. Web site: FBG Canterbury – our favoured places. FreeBeaches NZ. 2021-11-15.
45. Web site: Southern Free Beaches. FreeBeaches NZ. 2021-11-15.
46. Web site: Can't bare it: Neighbours' stoush over nude sunbathing ends up in court. McNeilly. Hamish. Stuff.co.nz. Stuff Limited. 12 August 2022. 13 August 2022.
47. Web site: Manawatu Naturist Club "Lake Downs". Naturist Guide. 2021-04-01.
48. Web site: TripSavvy . Naturists and Nudists Clubs on New Zealand's South Island . 2021-04-01 . 2020-11-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201125083101/https://www.tripsavvy.com/south-island-naturist-and-nudist-clubs-1606390 . dead .
49. Web site: Rotota Sun Club . Naturist Directory. 2021-04-01.
50. Web site: Waikato Outdoor Society. Naturist Guide. 2021-04-01.
51. Web site: 2023-12-08 . Little Beach, Maui Hawaii ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-12-13 . en-US.
52. Web site: 2022-08-23 . Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, Hawaii ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2023-08-30 . en-US.
53. Web site: 2024-05-18 . Pāʻia Secret Beach, Hawaii ‣ Nude Beach Map . 2024-07-03 . en-US.
54. Web site: Donkey Beach on the Coastal Kauai Path . The Parrish Collection Kauai . 2015 . 2016-05-17 .