New South Wales (NSW) offers some of the country’s most scenic nude beaches, combining relaxed naturist environments with beautiful coastal landscapes. While Australia’s public nudity laws are quite restrictive, NSW has several officially designated "clothing optional" beaches, along with a number of informal spots where nudity is generally tolerated.
Public nudity in NSW is regulated by the Local Government Amendment (Nude Bathing) Act 1996. According to this law, nudity is permitted only on beaches specifically designated as “clothing optional” by local councils. Engagement in public nudity outside these areas constitutes an offence and can lead to fines or, in some cases, more serious penalties. Only a select few beaches maintain such official designation, while many others operate in a legal grey area.
