We visited a couple of dozen beaches in Victoria and New South Wales and although skimpy bikinis were the norm, we didn't see a single women top free and most of the men were wearing knee length baggy shorts! Only once did we see a naturist anywhere other than an official naturist beach. We visited two naturist beaches.
The photo' (above) was taken on a rather dull day and there was a stiff onshore breeze so there was a lot more surf than usual. It is usually just ripples. There are no signposts to it and no notices to show that it is an official naturist beach. From the car park walk north a few hundred metres. It is a lovely sandy beach with good swimming (they all are in this area) backed by a very steep scrubby slope. As usual for a naturist beach it is the most difficult to get to of any beach in the area. There were a dozen or so naturists, mainly men, when we visited mid-week just before Christmas.
The Port Stephens Information Guide has the naturist Olympics in its events diary but gives no information about where Samurai is. There are no signposts and without a good map or local knowledge it will be impossible to find. As at Sunnyside it is the most difficult beach to get to in the area. You either need a four wheel drive or it is a kilometre of walking in soft sand. Samurai is a long stretch of glorious sand backed by an extensive dune system but it is an un-patrolled surf beach so caution is required when swimming. When we visited there were a couple of dozen four wheel drives, many with families, and there were a number of tents pitched in the dunes.
I live in Sydney and Samurai Beach is at least a three hour drive away. I must admit that I have been there twice. Both times for the Annual Samurai Beach Carnival. Last year (November 2001) it was glorious. We receive wonderful support from the Port Stephens Tourist Bureau, National Parks and Wildlife service, the State Emergency Service and the Birubi Surf Lifesaving Club. The newspapers, local caravan parks and other accommodation, etc. were also very supportive. This annual event is attracting larger crowds every year.
The Bare Facts guide, published by Les and Jan Hotchkin, describes the Port Stephens area where Samurai Beach is located as:
"A very popular holiday destination, ideal boating, fishing, surfing and swimming on clean, sandy beaches. Known as the "Great Lakes" country the whole district is geared for tourism and all facilities are available for anyone wishing to spend a day, a week or much longer enjoying the relaxed holiday atmosphere. There are plenty of holiday flats and units, motels, caravan parks, restaurants, etc. to cater for a variety of tastes and budgets. Samurai Beach is 1 km in length with rocky outcrops at either end. It is very natural and beautiful, and ideal for fishing, snorkling etc.."
There are tracks through the sand dunes to the beach but people who are fortunate enough to have a four-wheel drive vehicle have a huge advantage. While the beach is used very well by local nudists, the place comes alive once a year when the annual Samurai Beach Carnival is held there, attracting participants from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand. The crowd attending on November 17, 2001 was estimated to be 1500. Sadly Bardots Nude Village resort, which was located beside the beach has been sold but there is plenty of naturist-friendly accommodation nearby.
New South Wales is blessed with seven legal nudist beaches and a dozen or more other beaches where nude bathing is condoned. The three legal nudist beaches situated on Sydney Harbour are very popular with locals and overseas visitors. Our association highly recommends Cobblers Beach at Mosman as a friendly family nudist beach. It is only 30 minutes by public transport from the city. Information on accessing all of these nudist beaches is available on the Free Beach Association of NSW web site where people visiting NSW can gleam lots of interesting information on all aspects of naturism Down Under.
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