As RVers, many of you cherish the freedom and adventure that come with holidays, or maybe even a life, on the the road. Some of you like to take it a step further and enjoy the liberating experience of clothing optional beaches in Australia.
And by clothing optional, yes, we mean nude beaches.
With its beautiful coastlines and sandy shores, Australia offers some of the best places to let it all hang out – literally! Whether you’re planning a quick escape or a leisurely road trip, this article will lead you to the best spots to strip down, ditch those tan lines and embrace you for you.
But before you get your gear off and run whooping for glee down to the water, there are a few things to know before visiting any clothing optional beaches in Australia.
Here’s what you should know first
Not all clothing optional (aka nude) beaches are official. In fact, both Queensland and Tasmania are a little prudish on that front. So despite a number of beaches being “unofficially” clothing optional in Australia, this does mean that you can get fined and/or arrested for getting your gear off. Just ask the local nudie beachgoers at Alexandria Bay near Noosa National Park. So with this in mind, we recommend sticking to the official ones where you can’t get in trouble for leaving your clothes at the invisible sand barrier.
There are also a few things that you should and shouldn’t do at a clothing optional beach: don’t stare, don’t take photos, don’t engage in sexual behaviour and make sure to bring sunscreen. You’ll also be swimming at your own risk because clothing optional beaches aren’t usually patrolled.
Okay, so now that you’re in the know when it comes to clothing optional beaches and you’re ready to go, here’s where to head for your beach nakation in Australia.
Maslin Beach, South Australia
In 1975, South Australia paved the way for swimming starkers when it declared a section of Maslin Beach (around 40 kilometres south of Adelaide) a ‘free beach’. Known to the locals as ‘Maslins’, this pretty clothing optional beach in Australia stretches over three kilometres and boasts blue waters, golden sand and a cliff backdrop.
Don’t just get your gear off anywhere here though, the northern end of the beach is for those who wish to keep their gear on and the southern end is for those who wish to bare it all. There is signage at the beach if you’re not too sure and even Google Maps has a handle on this one.
Mauritius Beach, Western Australia
Located in the Exmouth area around 1200 kilometres north of Perth, Mauritius Beach was officially declared a nude beach in 1999 by the local council. It’s clearly signposted as a clothing optional beach on the main road from Exmouth. On a good weather day, Mauritius Beach is ridiculously good looking with white sand and crystal clear waters, making it one of the most beautiful official clothing optional beaches in Australia.
Its nearness to Cape Range National Park is a bonus for those wishing to explore a bit further (although you’ll need to get your gear back on to explore the National Park) and just offshore, there is a marine-park-protected reef popular with snorkellers. Turtles nest on parts of the beach at night between October and April.
Long Beach, Tasmania
Although there are some unofficial nude beaches in Tasmania such as Baker’s Beach, around a 35 minutes drive west of Devonport, if you’re looking to get your gear off in the water in Tasmania, your only legal chance is probably the Dark Mofo annual Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach in Hobart.
In short, a couple thousand people get up at the crack of dawn on the shortest day of the year, get but-naked, and dash into the River Derwent. Did I mention they do this in June? When it’s about three degrees outside? I call that an invigorating start to the day!
Here’s an ABC News report on last year’s event that gives you an idea of what to expect:
Swanbourne North Beach, Western Australia
Found around 20 minutes from Perth CBD, Swanbourne North Beach is one of two officially-recognised clothing optional beaches in the Perth area of Western Australia. The officially sanctioned part of the larger Swanbourne Beach is around 300 metres north of the car park and the start of this nudity allowed section is well signposted.
Those in the know say its best to visit in the morning as, much like the rest of the “Windy Always (WA)” state, it can get a little blustery after lunch.
Lady Bay Beach, New South Wales
Located between Camp Cove and South Head, this city-dwelling nude beach has had clothing optional status since 1976. Although Lady Bay Beach offers great views of Sydney Harbour, there’s not much actual sand, particularly at high tide. In addition, it doesn’t cater to anyone with access needs with steep stairs down.
Belongil Beach, New South Wales
Find Belongil Beach in the beautiful Byron Bay region of New South Wales. This beach is ideal for long walks and relaxing. However, it’s important to note that only the northern end of the beach is clothing optional. If you do want to swim in the surf, it’s recommended you don a pair of bathers and head to the southern end of the beach, which is more likely to be patrolled by surf lifesavers.
Samurai Beach, New South Wales
Nestled within the Tomaree National Park, Samurai Beach (a subsection of One Mile Beach around an hour north of Newcastle) is well known for its clothing free status and natural beauty. Considered to be one of the best in Australia, you’ll need a 4WD to visit as the track in is unsurfaced and sandy. The ocean itself is far from calm here, with some of the largest surf in the area. This means you’ll need to be careful as obviously there are no surf lifesavers around.
Samurai Beach even has its own campground behind the dunes, although there are no toilets and showers so if you do camp here, you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient. Book Samurai Beach campground through NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Sunnyside North Beach, Victoria
Found on the Mornington Peninsula, this small beach has been clothing optional since 1986. In 2021, the local council reviewed the clothing optional status of Sunnyside North Beach when Covid lockdowns meant that more ‘regular’ beachgoers were enjoying the local beaches. However, a survey ran in 2022 showed strong support for this secluded beach to remain clothing optional.
Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Northern Territory
Casuarina Coastal Reserve in Darwin stretches for around eight kilometres with a small central section dedicated as a nudist zone. You’ll find this clothing optional zone on the beach north of Darriba Road.
Fringed by casuarina trees and dramatic cliffs, the sunsets along this entire beach are stunning but given the potential for crocodiles and box jellyfish, the latter being more prevalent between October and May, it’s really not suitable for swimming.
Cobblers Beach, New South Wales
City dwellers or those passing through Sydney in Australia looking for a clothing optional beach can head to Cobblers Beach, just north of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour National Park. This serene beach is ideal for swimming and picnicking and boasts expansive views across the foreshore to Dobroyd Head and Grotto Point lighthouse.
You’ll notice from the list of clothing optional beaches in Australia above that New South Wales features heavily. This is because when it comes to nude beaches, New South Wales has the most with at least seven official and even more unofficial clothing optional beaches. Regardless of which state you’re in, make sure to check the signs, follow the rules and slap on some sunscreen.
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