Naturists walk on a sand path as they return from the beach at the Heliomarin Centre on the Atlantic Ocean in Montalivet, southwestern France, on August 5, 2009. Several thousand naturists spend their holidays at the centre during the summer vacation seas
Naturists walk on a sand path as they return from the beach at the Heliomarin Centre on the Atlantic Ocean in Montalivet, southwestern France, on August 5, 2009. Several thousand naturists spend their holidays at the centre during the summer vacation season. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE SOCIETY TRAVEL) Reuters

Since it is summer in Australia, going to the beach is a common Christmas activity in this country.

For those who are more daring and have no qualms sunbathing or swimming in their birthday suit, Australia has 23 naturists beaches that have either been legally declared a nudist beach or a traditional free beach where nakedness is at the very least tolerated.

The Web site Aussie Naturists listed the top five nude beaches where revelers could take off their clothes without fear of being arrested.

Here are the top 5.

1 Obelisk Beach/Cobblers Beach - Located at Sydney Harbour, the two places which are just a few minutes walk, could be reached by taking bus 244 fro Wynward and going down at the intersection of Middle Head Road and Chowder Bay Road. Besides sunbathing, these two beaches are splendid snorkeling spots. While it is legal to be nude here, the only downside is if you are a celebrity, chances are paparazzis would hound you.

That was the experience of Tiger singer Katy Perry who was in Australia in late November for her Prismatic World Tour. She was hounded by three photographers in Obelisk Beach despite her pleas to leave her alone. They offered to leave her if she would give them a chance to shoot her wearing a bathing suit.

As a result of the bad encounter with the paparazzi, Perry tweeted on Nov 22, "Remember AUS anyone printing or posting unauthorized photos of me in a bikini from these DISGUSTING/PERVERTED OLD MEN is AGAINST my will!

2 Werrong Beach - Located at Royal National Park, it has been declared a free beach by the New South Wales government. To reach it, visitors have to endure a steep bush walk one and a half kilometres long, which makes it difficult to reach for elderly people or those who are not physically fit.

3 Armands Bay Beach - Found at South Coast, it is located 10 kilometres south of Bermagui on the Bega/Tathra road. It will be the venue for Family Fun In The Sun Day on March 15, 2015.

4 Birdie Beach - Located in Central Coast, it was declared a clothes optional area by the local council. The exact location is the Munmorah State Recreational Area, which includes a camp site with cooking and toilet facilities.

5 North Belongil Beach - Found near Byron Bay, it has a designated free beach area at the Tyagarah Nature Reserve. But nudity is disallowed in the legal area, which covers 500 metres from the car park to north of the Byron Bay Beach Club.

Just remember, there are also dos and don'ts in these naturist beaches.

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