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.

  • SeaJ
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    215 months ago

    There is one near there for sale for only $2.7 million. The other one near there is less affordable at $6.2 million. That one does have a pool though so hanging dong easier to do.

    • Captain Aggravated
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      115 months ago

      Having a pool doesn’t make it easier to hang dong, just marginally more plausible.

    • @Branch_Ranch
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      45 months ago

      Haven’t heard “hang dong” in awhile. Upvoted and may your dong hang freely.

      • @Clinicallydepressedpoochie
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        5 months ago

        I don’t hang dong… I place dong on a fleshy cushion where it pleasantly sits in its turtleneck among a field of tall grass.