Nudity in public advocacy: Australian naturist seeks legal space, campaign gains momentum

Vincent Marty, a 57-year-old French-Australian naturist, says Australia’s conservative culture keeps him from practicing nudity in public spaces. He runs a cleaning business and security consultancy, but he frames his work with naturism as his real mission: building a community and pushing for clearer laws that distinguish non-sexual nudity from indecency.

"For me, nude hiking is freedom and health," Marty told the Daily Mail, describing the practice as a form of moving meditation he pursues on long treks most weeks. He says he regularly hikes 20km to 35km a day, often carrying a 17–25kg pack depending on how remote his route is, and that shedding clothes makes him feel fully connected to nature. Yet he acknowledges that the legal landscape and social norms in Australia complicate those ambitions, noting that many places where nudity occurs operate in a legal grey zone and can be subject to enforcement actions.

Australia hosts nude beaches across several states, but Marty says there are only a handful of legally sanctioned locations and a landscape of unofficial spots where nudity is tolerated only at the risk of fines or complaints. He points to well-known beach sites such as Maslin Beach in South Australia and Mauritius Beach near Exmouth in Western Australia, and notes that popular holiday destinations like Kings Beach in Byron Bay and Sunnyside North Beach in Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay are among nude-friendly options. Still, he emphasizes that unofficial naturist locations proliferate in a patchwork system, and iconic sites have at times faced closures or policy reversals, such as Tyagarah Beach in Byron Bay, which lost its legal status last year despite broad public support.

Nudy beaches and clubs alike illustrate a broader, ongoing question about how naturism fits into Australia’s cultural fabric. While nude beaches exist at multiple levels of legality, and some private clubs welcome members who are couples or families, Marty says singles often find themselves limited to public spaces or private gatherings, rather than formal naturist clubs. He laments the shrinking number of clearly designated naturist areas and argues for options that keep nudity non-sexual and accessible without stigma.

"If we can set aside spaces for dog parks, fishing, and bike lanes, we can set aside spaces for naturists," he contends, insisting that expanding clothing-optional zones is not about forcing nudity on anyone. Rather, he says the goal is legal clarity so people who wish to practice non-sexual nudity for health and wellbeing can do so without fear of fines or social backlash. The campaign narrative emphasizes that public decency and nudity are not mutually exclusive and that the law should differentiate between non-sexual nudity and lewd behavior.

To advance this aim, Marty has launched a petition on Change.org calling for a "public decency and nudity clarification bill." The petition has drawn thousands of signatures since it launched in December 2024, reaching about 4,765 supporters at the time of reporting. He argues that such legislation would bring Australia in line with European models, where naturism has been legally recognized for decades and is widely permitted in public spaces, including trails and riverbanks.

"France, Spain, and Germany all recognised naturism legally nearly a century ago, and today they allow clothing-optional use in many public spaces, including trails and riverbanks," Marty said. "Australia has the landscapes and climate to do the same, but instead we treat harmless nudity as indecency."

Marty’s activism extends beyond the petition. He founded Naturism Resurgence (NaturismRE) and its spiritual branch, Naturis Sancta, hoping to cultivate a philosophy that fitness, safety, and respect can coexist with non-sexual nudity. He has framed his professional life—holding a Defence Broker Licence, one of only 18 in the country—as consistent with his broader values: safety does not have to rely on violence, and naturism does not have to entail indecency.

Public response to his campaign has included dozens of comments on the petition, with supporters arguing for personal choice in nudity and the right to practice in spaces where it does not offend others. One commenter wrote, "People have a choice in following religions, I would like to choose to be at clothing optional events and camping grounds and swim nude with groups of other people who are similar minded." Another added, "As we were born with nothing on, we should have the right to bare it off!" The movement is not isolated: Get Naked Australia and the Australian Naturist Federation are among other groups that celebrate naturism in the country, highlighting a broader network of advocates seeking a calmer, clearer legal framework for clothing-optional activity.

Supporters say the issue is not about imposing nudity on the broader population but about creating safe, legal spaces where those who wish to practice nudity for health, wellbeing, or personal preference can do so without stigma or fear of penalties. Critics, by contrast, worry about public discomfort and the potential for ambiguity to spill into non-consenting spaces. The debate reflects a larger cultural conversation about nudity, modesty, and public space in a country that is both geographically open and socially cautious.

Marty’s stance is that naturism should be normalized gradually, with clear guidelines that protect both participants and the broader public. He envisions a framework that distinguishes non-sexual nudity from lewd behavior, making it possible for naturists to use beaches, parks, and certain public trails without resorting to informal, unregulated locations that could draw police attention or public complaints.

The campaign has sought to mobilize support beyond urban centers, emphasizing that naturist spaces are already part of the national landscape, albeit unevenly recognized. Supporters argue that the move could enhance health and well-being by offering accessible opportunities for outdoor activity and stress reduction, while also promoting inclusivity and body positivity. Opponents caution that expanding clothing-optional areas could provoke discomfort among families and communities unprepared for public nudity, underscoring the need for careful policy design and community education.

As Australia continues to weigh the balance between personal freedom and public norms, Marty’s effort adds a distinctive voice to the culture and entertainment conversation around body, space, and social tolerance. Whether the petition translates into legislative change remains to be seen, but the discussion has already elevated naturism as a topic within contemporary Australian life, challenging long-standing assumptions about where and how nudity can occur in public spaces.