Queensland Nude Beaches

Please note: There are no legal nude beaches in Queensland and technically you are breaking the law to be nude without reasonable excuse.

Brisbane & Gold Coast Area...

Alexandria Bay – Unofficial
Alexandria Bay is located on the eastern side of the Noosa Heads National Park. It is by far Queensland's most popular free beach and has been used for nude swimming and sunbathing for many years. Most days there are quite a lot of people on the beach, sometimes hundreds on weekends. Unfortunately, in spite of many requests, it still does not have legal status.
   There are a few different ways of getting in to Alexandria Bay. First of all you can drive down into the main part of Noosa Heads and turn right at the Hastings Street roundabout then follow the beach road around until it ends in the main National Park headquarters car park. It is then a very scenic 3 km walk into the beach and along to the southern end where the naturists tend to congregate.
   Alternatively you can also enter the park from the southern end at Sunshine Beach, either via Solway Drive or Park Edge Road. You can also walk in from Sunshine Beach but it is quite a steep climb in places. The Solway Drive approach is the shortest but parking is very limited and strictly policed, so be wary. Map.

It is also a very real option for residents and visitors in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast to use the nude beaches in northern New South Wales. Full details are available in the New South Wales section.

Central Queensland Coast

Fraser Island Unofficial
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world with many kilometres of beautiful beaches on both the ocean and inland sides. Whilst there are many visitors on the island at all times it is quite possible to find a camping spot behind the dunes where you can go without clothes for most of the time. You may also be able to swim nude at times but do show consideration for other people. It is best to avoid the peak holiday seasons.
   Before going onto the island you must obtain a permit from either the Forestry Department in Brisbane or the National Parks office at Rainbow Beach where you will catch the barge. Do take the trouble to read the literature regarding the regulations, and obey all the directives and signs whilst on the island.
   There are no roads on Fraser Island so a 4WD vehicle is necessary. Access to the points of interest is gained by driving along the beach on the eastern side, where the sand is hard. From here sand tracks lead in to the various inland freshwater lakes and other beauty spots, as well as across to the western side of the island.
   From Gympie on the Bruce Highway head for Rainbow Beach on the coast. Here you need to let your tyres down for the sandy conditions, top up with fuel, then drive along the beach to the barge terminal at Inskip Point. Once you are on the island travel up the beach until you reach your destination, but do take tide times into consideration, some places are impassable at high tide. Also, take all your provisions with you as there is very little opportunity to buy anything on the island. Streams provide abundant fresh water but your own drinking water is advisable.

Bowen/Townsville Area . . .

Kings Beach – Unofficial
Kings Beach can be reached by driving east along Kings Beach Road, then just as the road turns parallel to the coast park on the left. Walk to the small beach where the creek runs into the sea.

Horseshoe Bay – Unofficial
Horseshoe Bay at Cape Edgecumbe is the more popular of the two. Take the Richmond road from Bowen then turn right into Soldiers Road and right again into Horseshoe Bay Road. Park on the left just before the caravan park and walk through to the beach. Once on the beach you then walk north climbing over the rocks or wading through the shallows past a few small coves. The beach used by the naturists is the last stretch of sand on the Greys Beach side of Cape Edgecumbe.

Shelley Beach – Unofficial
Drive north from Townsville through Belgian Gardens and Rowes Bay towards Pallarenda. The road ends at a Quarantine Station. Follow the walking track up the hill, past some old World War 2 gun placements, and over the headland. You will get some great views of Magnetic Island. The track ends at a small beach which is fairly popular. At low tide you can skirt around the rocks at the far end to get to Shelley Beach, which is more secluded, and dispense with your costume. When the tide is in the only way to get there is climb over the rocks.

Saunders Beach – Unofficial
To get to Saunders Beach head north along the Bruce Highway toward Ingham for approximately 25 km. About 200 metres after passing under a railway viaduct turn right and follow this road for about 8 km. This will take you into the small seaside settlement of Saunders Beach. When you reach the waterfront turn right into Reef Street and then bear right again after approximately 100 metres into Cay Street and continue to the end of it. When on the beach head south until you cross over the mouth of a small creek. It is a beautiful sandy beach with shady trees. Be careful crossing the creek at high tide, although it is never very deep. 

Magnetic Island – Unofficial
Magnetic Island is about 40 minutes by ferry from Townsville. You can take your own car over on the ferry, or you can hire one there for a reasonable price. Bicycles are also available, and buses operate from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay.
   There are a number of spots where nude bathing is practised fairly regularly but due to increased tourism on the island and some pressure from local residents a few have ceased being used. Probably the most popular one is Rocky Bay, just around from Picnic Bay. Either take the track from the eastern end of Main Street, or walk up the road from Marine Gardens to the track directly down to the beach. Balding Bay is another quite suitable spot. Access is gained by following the track from either Radical Bay or Horseshoe Bay. The western end of Horseshoe Bay is also used by nudists. Just use your commonsense and show due consideration for others on the beach.

Cairns and Further North . . .

Buchans Point – Unofficial
Buchans Point is located at the very southern end of Ellis Beach, about 25 km north of Cairns. It is by far the most popular unofficial clothes optional beach in this area and has been recognised as such for many years. It is well suited for this purpose and one must wonder what the real reason was for all the police action in 1988 and 1989. Caution is advised as there has been spasmodic police attention since then.
   As you travel north along the Cook Highway look for the car park on the beach side of the road between Palm Cove and Ellis Beach. It is then just a short walk south to the beautiful sandy beach backed by cliffs and the highway. There are plenty of motels and caravan parks nearby.

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is privately owned and can be reached by ferry from Cairns. The owners have proclaimed Nudey Beach as a 'Clothing Optional' beach.

Cape Tribulation – Unofficial
From Cairns travel north for about 76 km to Mossman then another 37 km to Daintree. Cross over the Daintree River by ferry and continue along this road for another 50 km to Cape Tribulation. The road is passable to conventional vehicles except after heavy rains, which of course occur fairly often. You are much better off travelling in a 4WD vehicle.
   There are many beautiful views and interesting things to visit along the way. The first turn off to the right will take you into Cape Kimberley, a rather remote but beautiful bay with few people, a casual atmosphere, and lots of secluded spots. Next stop is Cow Bay. There is a hotel and a motel here, plus the Crocodylus Resort, literally tucked away in the rainforest. The area is very popular with backpackers and, as many of these come from Europe where naturist beaches are commonplace, it is not unusual to come across topless and nude bathers in this area. However the most accepted nude bathing area is the third bay as you walk north along the beach.
   At North Cape Tribulation you can experience isolated camping where the rain forest meets the sea. There are few facilities and all your supplies need to be brought in with you. Clothes in this camping area are unofficially optional, and the surroundings make time stand still. You could easily spend a couple of weeks here soaking up the natural environment, and of course the sun.

Lizard Island Third Beach (Hibiscus Beach) – Unofficial
Third Beach (Hibiscus Beach) is about 400 metres long, facing north west with white coral sand. It can be reached by sea or via the Lizard Island Resort. From here walk south west around Sunset Beach and Pebbly Beach into Hibiscus. Palfrey Island south of Lizard is an unmanned light station and is well used by naturists, but camping is not allowed. Camping is allowed on Lizard Island at the one camp site on the northern end, but you must bring everything including your water with you.