PHOTO: Nudist Beaches
Two words for you fellas, two words: body positivity. If ever there was a place that welcomes the various shapes, sizes, folds and crevices that the human body encapsulates, it’s the nude beach.
Dropping trousers and baring those alabaster butt cheeks may terrify you to the core, but nude beaches aren’t nearly as scary as you might imagine.
Everyone is simply too content to spare a glance in your general direction so please, don’t even let the phrase “everyone will be looking at me” grace your lips as an excuse.
Australia has built a reputation for our beaches, and our nude beaches are just as easy-going. The destinations featured here are secluded and picturesque, offering stunning views and clean sand. Some may draw a few like-minded naturists, but others will see you largely enjoying the sand all to yourself.
Things to remember
If you’re a newcomer to the nudist beach, don’t fret. Those already on the sand aren’t going to form a circle and slow-clap as you disrobe, not to mention enter some tribal phase where there is pointing and yelling.
It’s a lot more chilled here and that’s something to keep in mind; be respectful.
Other things to note include the basic rules – don’t litter, take photos, get sexual, wander outside of designated nude areas, or simply come to stare. Instead, bring your sunscreen, some form of shade and a towel in case you want to sit down on a bench or chair with your bare junk. In other words: don’t be gross.
The law
If it’s a nude beach, you won’t cop a fine for baring the flesh. That said, the legality of beaches depends on the state and local council. As it stands, Queensland is the only Australian state without a legal nude beach. The rest on this list are clothing-optional, so you won’t experience problems with the laws.
See the best below:
Sunnyside North Beach, Melbourne
You’ll find Melbourne’s favourite nude beach hidden away near Mount Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula. Not for the faint of heart, this beach attracts quite the crowd of stark swimmers since clothing became optional way back in 1983. That said, the non-nude beach is only a short walk from Sunnyside North, so if you’re not feeling the nude – you can wander over to the clothed area.
Cobblers Nude Beach, Sydney
Most Sydney beaches become packed in the summer months, but Cobblers Beach is a tranquil one that has little pedestrian traffic. Only a short distance north from Middle Head, this nude beach greets you with a picturesque view of the harbour and some spectacular snorkelling.
Cow Bay, Queensland
Sheltered by the Daintree Rainforest near Cairns, beaches don’t get much better than this stunningly remote spot. It has everything you would want to get your kit off, but unfortunately there are crocs and jellyfish in the water which, naturally, puts a bit of a dampener on the mood. Also, it’s not an official nude beach – yep, Queensland is the only state in Australia not to have a legal nude beach. Nude up at your own risk!
READ MORE VIA GQ