Northern Rivers Naturists Inc. plan to defy nude beach ban at Tyagarah near Byron Bay
A band of naturists who saw their beloved Byron Shire nude beach shut down for good on Friday plan to defy a clothing-optional ban with a (cheeky) protest at the weekend.
Byron Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Byron Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A band of naturists who saw their beloved Byron Shire nude beach shut down for good on Friday plan to defy a clothing-optional ban with a (cheeky) protest at the weekend.
On Friday, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) finally revoked the clothing-optional status at Tyagarah Beach, 20 minutes north of the colourful tourist township of Byron Bay.
For months, there has been a heated back-and-forth between council, the parks service and naturist groups since it was announced in April nudity would be banned at the beach.
The 800m stretch of sand has been a haven for naturists since 1998, when council declared the portion of Tyagarah Beach clothing-optional.
The parks service told the naturists in June it would extend the closure date until August 30 to “allow beachgoers time to adjust”.
It was decided by parks the beach would close due to alleged “ongoing safety concerns” and issues pertaining to “dune management”.
President of Northern Rivers Naturists Inc. Bradley Benham said at the weekend, more than 100 naturists will take to the dunes in protest on the first day of the beach being declared a nudist no-go zone.
“The police will be enforcing public nudity laws. I will be covering up my genitalia but I can’t stop everyone. I expect there will be a few rebels,” Mr Benham told The Daily Telegraph.
“There’s significant demand for a legal clothing-optional beach in the Byron Shire.
“I just hope that council and NPWS can come to a reasonable result.”
The rally will be held at Tyagarah Beach, Tyagarah just off Grays Lane on Saturday at 10am.
Got a story tip? Email sam.stolz@news.com.au
Sweet result for colossal cane crop
Northern Rivers cane farmers aren’t sugar-coating their success after celebrating record prices and a bumper 2024 crop.
Read more
Manhunt under way after vicious machete attack
A manhunt is under way for a machete-wielding attacker after a man was slashed repeatedly in an unhinged attack at a northern NSW home. Here’s what we know.
Read more