It’s a Tuesday morning, the infinite blue sky of Byron Bay has opened up and the six naturists – four men, two women – have stripped down to their birthday suits for a quick dip in the buff.

This section of beach – an 800-metre stretch along the vast coastline – forms the only legal clothing-optional beach in the shire. Among those taking advantage of the opportunity to be out in the open is Duncan James, vice-president of Northern Rivers Naturists, who is something of an evangelist for “embracing the beach as Mother Nature intended.”

“Many of the beach users have described the clothing-optional beach as their happy place, a place where they can disconnect from modern day stresses, a place they can feel at one with nature,” he says.

There is, however, a metaphorical cloud on the horizon. On Sunday, Tyagarah is set to be stripped of its status as an official clothing-optional beach.

“I guess these values aren’t shared by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS], who are hell-bent on closing one of Byron’s last alternative community hubs and experiences,” James says.

  • khannie@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Funnily enough, I don’t think I ever believed in Santa either, so I guess your barometer checks out :)

    Yeah, fair enough. I suppose that’s unusual in the West if that’s where you’re from.

    I mean it depends on your background a bit. I don’t think kids who grow up on a farm have any doubt.

    • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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      4 months ago

      My rule of thumb is if the kid can ask a cogent question (just not the Why? or How come? ones) then they deserve an honest answer.