20 of the VERY BEST nude beaches in Australia

PHOTO: Beaches to get you kit off in 2023

If you’re looking to bare all down under then it’s mostly good news. With thousands of miles of coast, much of which is fairly remote, there are any number of beaches where no one will bat an eyelid if you choose to go au naturel.

10 of the best nude beaches New Zealand has on offer

Surprisingly enough one of the best places to go skinny dipping is in Sydney itself where there are a handful of recognised nude beaches. In fact New South Wales in general is well ahead of the rest of Australia with 20 legal clothing optional beaches.

The 12 Best Nude Beaches in the World | MENS HEALTH

Slightly disappointing is that some of the best naturist beaches in Australia are not legally recognised. In fact there are no official nude beaches in either Queensland or Tasmania, but with the exception of a few well-known problem spots you are very unlikely to be bothered by the long arm of the law.

The list of nudist beaches below includes both official and unofficial beaches. Further information is provided on the current status in the descriptions.

The Best Australian naturist beaches…

• Cable Beach // Western Australia

  Cable Beach in Broome is a long, flat, sandy beach, and by long we mean 22 kilometres (15 miles) long. It isn’t just quantity over quality either; the beach here is beautiful white sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Much Cable beach backs on to gently sloping sand dunes, and in other places there are low cliffs of deep red sandstone.

  Given… read more »

• Alexandria Bay // Queensland

  

  On the opposite side of Noosa Head’s famous headland, Alexandria Bay is a quieter location for soaking up the tranquility and rays on this golden sandy beach. The only way in is on foot, either from Noosa Heads (3.5km through the Noosa National Park) or 20 minutes on foot from McAnally Drive on Sunshine Beach (1.3km).

  Away from the crowds on Noosa Main… read more »

• Samurai Beach // New South Wales

  

  A subsection of One Mile Beach where nude bathing is officially permitted, the clean sands of Samurai Beach lies in Tomaree National Park north of Newcastle. It is mainly used by older naturists.

  Situated close to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, it can be reached via an unsurfaced track, necessitating the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle.

  A beautiful stretch of secluded coastline backed… read more »

• Obelisk Beach // New South Wales

  

  Situated within the greenery of Sydney Harbour National Park is a secluded, pretty little sandy cove. Obelisk Beach is tucked away behind Middle Head, only a stone’s throw from Mosman and neighbouring Balmoral Beach. However, this hidden beach feels a world apart being sufficiently off the beaten track to rarely attract a crowd.

  Getting to Obelisk beach involves at least some walking including a long set… read more »

• Seven Mile Beach // New South Wales

  

  There’s no real need to guess the length of Seven Mile Beach, although there may have been some rounding error! Situated between Nowra and Kiama, the beach comes in at 12 kilometres (7.8 miles) long. Backed almost exclusively by uninterrupted littoral forest with eucalyptus (gum) trees, it is encompassed into Seven Mile Beach National Park.

  Its long ribbon of pale sand gets wider and narrow due… read more »

• Washaway Beach // New South Wales

  

  Washaway Beach faces east into Sydney Harbour with superb views across to Balmoral and the Manley Ferry coming and going. After a storm, the sand really does get washed away, exposing the rocky slab beneath! At other times it boasts a 200m stretch of sand and waves usually 0.5m or more, depending on the outside swell.

  At high tide you may have to sunbathe on the… read more »

• Lady Bay Beach // New South Wales

  

  Also known as Lady Jane Beach, this little beach is located just around the corner from Camp Cove in Watsons Bay. The beach here sits on the sheltered harbour-facing side of South Head making it and ideal spot for taking a dip, or just taking in the views across the harbour. And don’t worry if you forget your cozzie, Lady Bay is also a designated nude bathing… read more »

• Marley Beach // New South Wales

  

  Sometimes called Big Marley Beach, this stretch of sand sits within Royal National Park just south of Sydney. One of the largest beaches within reach of the city, its gently sloping orange-yellow sands give way to sand dunes covering an area of 130,000 square metres.

  Facing towards the southeast, Marley Beach is just under 400 metres in length, and about the same in depth. Horizontal rocks… read more »

• Belongil Beach // New South Wales

  

  Byron Bay’s Belongil Beach sits on a sandbar which runs for 2.5 kilometres from Main Beach car park to the mouth of Belongil Creek. On its opposite side is Tyagarah Beach.

  Less crowded than Main Beach, Belongil Beach is generally considered a good place to swim and otherwise enjoy the water, with lifeguard patrols at its southern end between the red and yellow flags.

  Its expansive… read more »

• Flint and Steel Beach // New South Wales

  

  Situated close to the northernmost point of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park north of Sydney, Flint and Steel Beach is an area of sand just a few tens of metres in length. Overlooking the Hawkesbury River, it can only be reached on foot or by boat. The nearest car park is located approximately one kilometre away in either direction along a signposted path.

  Backed by a grassy… read more »

• Birdie Beach // New South Wales

  

  Birdie Beach is located within Munmorah State Conservation Area between Sydney and Newcastle. For much of its length it is nothing more than a pristine stretch of sand backed by low dunes and grasses before giving way to Elizabeth Bay Drive.

  The exact length of Birdie Beach is difficult to determine since it runs without break into Mackenzie Reserve Budgewoi Beach on its southern side… read more »

• Swanbourne Beach // Western Australia

  

  Located roughly 20 minutes from Perth by road, Swanbourne North Beach is part of a long ribbon of soft white sand which stretches for 12 kilometres.

  One of only two officially-recognised nudist beaches in the Perth area, this clothing-optional section of the larger Swanbourne Beach can be found around 300 m north of the car park, where dunes 10-20 m high begin to form. The dunes… read more »

• Cow Bay // Queensland

  

  A treasure of Australia’s tropical north, Cow Bay Beach occupies a stunning part of coastal Shire County. Part of the Daintree Rainforest and the Wet Tropics UNESCO World Heritage Site, the nearby township has a population of just 202 permanent residents, which seems like a shocking statistic given its astonishing natural beauty.

  Backed by forested hills, Cow Bay Beach is a broad… read more »

• Maslin Beach // South Australia

  

  Forming part of suburban Adelaide, Maslin Beach (or Maslins) is located in the City of Onkaparinga local government area of the city. Most of the beach lies within a special recreation reserve. This incorporates the curving sand of the beach, together with the low grassy dunes and bare sedimentary cliffs which line it. Its southern end became Australia’s first official nudist beach right back… read more »

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