Stripping away misconceptions and fighting for nude beaches
Half a century after the first nude beach opened in Australia, these naturists say they are still fighting to keep beaches open and misconceptions at bay.
Shazz Weaver loves to get her kit off.
"It's about being me, in my body, free and being able to experience the world around me with nothing blocking anything," the Australian Naturist Federation (ANF) president said.
"I don't wear designer clothing, I wear my birthday suit, and I'm very proud of that."
Readers are advised this story contains images of nudity.
As a naturist, or nudist, Ms Weaver is part of a community of people who prefer to go without clothing.
Shazz Weaver says the nudist community does not judge her. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
"I found people who didn't judge me for the size I was," she said.
"They didn't care where I came from. They didn't care what I did for a living.
"When you take your clothes off, you are literally the same."
Legal nude beaches
Public nudity is banned in Australia, but legal nude beaches are the exception to that rule.
Maslins Beach is a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
There are about two dozen registered legal nude beaches throughout Australia, in all states and territories except Queensland.
A host of unofficial clothing-optional beaches are also scattered across the country's coastline.
The nation's first legal nude beach was declared half a century ago at Maslins Beach in South Australia.
Errol Masterson says fewer young people are interested in naturism at Armands Beach. (ABC South East NSW: Floss Adams)
Armands Beach near Bermagui on the NSW far south coast was formally registered in 1993, with local Errol Masterson leading the charge to have it recognised by the Bega Valley Shire Council.
"I feel pretty proud of the amount of people I've met and the friendships I've made through going to Armands Beach," he said.
"People from all over Australia and all over the world have come here."