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.
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.[14][4][15][16]
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, 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Cairns.[b]
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.[19]
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.[36]
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."[37] 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
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.[39]
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 a 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.
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.[53]
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.[56] 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.
