‘Should be done in private’: Queensland cops crack down on illegal nude beach

Queensland cops are saying nude beaches don’t exist in the state as they crack down on bare-bummed beachgoers.

Police in Noosa are stepping up efforts to curb public nudity at Alexandria Bay, known locally as A-Bay, after a spike in complaints and allegations of indecent acts being committed.

The beach has long been regarded as an unofficial nudist location, with Nude Olympics events taking place there since 1986.

However, Superintendent Craig Hawkins of Sunshine Coast Police told the Sunshine Coast Daily the recent crackdown began on the weekend of April 15, with 11 people fined for wilful exposure.

Alexandria Bay, near Noosa, has a hand drawn ‘nudist beach’ sign but is ultimately illegal.

Another person was fined on April 20, while a man was charged with committing an indecent act after allegedly “self-gratifying” near a young woman on the beach.

“Tourists, families and children should not be subject to this behaviour,” Hawkins said, adding that nudist beaches don’t exist in Queensland since public nudity is illegal in the state.

Hawkins also said that Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) would put up signs to discourage nudity at the beach.

Alexandria Bay on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast was named number 15 in the Best Australian Beaches 2022. Pic Jac Lee.

Local resident Jane Langley, who hikes in the area, told the publication she was happy to share the space with respectful “nudies”, but had some reservations about some men going up and staring at people.

Josh Smith from the Australian Naturist Federation of Queensland called for naturism to be desexualised in the state.

The Nude Olympics at Alexandria Bay have been running since 1986.

“I feel it’s probably not the best beach to have an unclothed beach because of that public perspective,” Smith said. “Unfortunately for the general public, naturism is sexualised, but it’s not. It’s about doing things in the nude rather than doing things clad.”

Police launched a previous crackdown on nudism at the beach in 2015, drawing significant backlash at the time.

The Australian Sex Party told the Courier Mail that men were being singled out because “only male genitalia can hang out.”

While the crackdown is likely to be welcomed by some local residents, it has also drawn criticism from those who believe that nudism is a legitimate lifestyle choice.

Local nudists protested police action at Alexandria Bay, Noosa National Parkin 2015 and 2016. Photo: Claudia Baxter

However, until public nudity is legalised in Queensland, it seems likely that Alexandria Bay will, at least by the book, remain off-limits to those seeking to sunbathe in the nude.

In the meantime, naturists in the state will need to find alternative locations to practice their lifestyle.

“If people wish to sunbake nude, those activities should be done in a private location, at your home, where you cannot be seen by others,” Hawkins said.