IT looked like any other caravan park ... complete with pool, tennis
courts and other amenities.
The only difference at this park in New South Wales was that everyone was
nude.
The usually publicity-shy ACT Nudist Club threw open its doors recently to
celebrate Nude Australia Week, and maintained its privacy by not revealing
the caravan park's location, apart from saying it was somewhere near
Bungendore.
Years ago the club was very secretive about its location. After vetting,
people were told the location of the club gates and you were met there.
"Nudist Clubs are about nudity, not sex," president Bob Toirkens said.
"Nudity seems to be everywhere, advertisers use it to try and sell stuff,
it's used to make us watch a film ... but most of what you see has been
air-brushed until people are left with this false impression of a body,
and feel their bodies do not measure up."
The club does not close down during the winter, but instead has a number
of dress-up functions all year round.
The club is not just a place to visit during the day either.
"A number of our members keep caravans out here, and use them as
weekenders," Mr Toirkens explained.
"It is not unusual for people to have
a weekender at the coast," he said, pointing out his own caravan. "This is
my weekender. I come out here to de-stress and get away from my worries."
The ACT Nudist Club is an affiliate of the Australian Nudist Federation,
and is situated on the edge of Canberra in the Australian bush. Facilities
include a heated swimming pool, wood fired sauna, clubhouse, sporting
facilities and modern amenities.
"The club opens its doors to families, couples and singles to allow them
to meet other nudists, experience the lifestyle and appreciate the
naturist way of life," Mr Toirkens said
For more information, go to www.actnc.org.au
