The town of Port Macquarie is located on the northern coast of New South Wales, about 385 kilometers north of Sydney and 450 kilometers south of the Queensland border. Miners Beach is located on the south end of town, hidden by a lush and dense tropical forest called the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. The beach is just under a kilometer long and consists of two main coves of similar size that are separated by a low rocky outcropping, over which there is an easily traversed path. The entire span of Miners (shaded lightly in red) has long been used as a nude beach, even though it is not officially designated as such. Nudists have historically been left alone since Miners was mostly off the radar of those not specifically looking for it. However, in 2009 a new coastal path was completed that connects Shelly Beach (the next beach north of Miners) to the Tacking Point Lighthouse (south of Miners). Part of this path is traced by the green line.

The new coastal walk is promoted to tourists, and it goes directly across most of the span of Miners Beach, even crossing the outcropping that separates the two main parts of the beach. This path now brings unsuspecting strollers into contact with nude bathers. Signage erected along the new path seems of affirm the "limbo" status that characterizes many unofficially nude beaches. On the one hand, the signs warn visitors that nude bathers may be encountered. On the other hand, the signs also state that the beach is not designated for nude bathing and that complaints should be directed to the local police. Thus, there is the possibility that a prudish tourist sufficiently ticked off could result in the police being dispatched, but such an unlikely occurrence would most likely result in nothing more than nudists being ordered to dress considering the history of this beach. Thus far, the nudity tradition of Miners does not seem to have been affected. If you prefer to minimize contact with passers through, you may consider going to the extreme south end of the beach, through which the coastal path does not pass.

Miners can be approached from either end. If you starts at Shelly Beach, go south (to the right when facing the ocean) to the next beach. Or, from the vicinity of the lighthouse, go north (to the left when facing the ocean). Either way, it is an easy walk of 500 to 600 meters.

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GPS: -31.4659, 152.9341

town, state, country
  Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

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