Location
Australia
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
December to March
About Ten Mile Lagoon
Ten Mile Lagoon is one of the beaches along Esperance's Great Ocean Drive, the 40 km scenic loop west of town on Western Australia's south coast. A reef offshore shelters a lagoon of clear, calm water close to the shore, while the open ocean beyond the reef can be rough and the water is cold for much of the year. The beach is sand below coastal dunes. Nude use here is unofficial but has gone on for decades and is widely known locally: the clothing-optional section runs for about a kilometre, starting roughly 200 m west of the Ten Mile Lagoon car park. It is not signposted, so first-time visitors can be unsure where it starts. The atmosphere is quiet rather than social, and on many days the beach is almost empty. Four-wheel drives are sometimes driven on the sand.
Getting there
Ten Mile Lagoon is signposted off the Great Ocean Drive west of Esperance town. There is a car park above the beach; a long staircase leads down to the beach, followed by a walk on soft sand. Walk west about 200 m from the access point to reach the clothing-optional stretch. If the wind is up, you can also walk in from the Eleven Mile Lagoon access to the west. There is no public transport and no step-free access to the sand.
What visitors say
Naturist guides describe a peaceful, uncrowded beach where nudity is common but never expected, with sheltered lagoon swimming behind the reef. The main confusion is the lack of signs marking the clothing-optional stretch. A travel blogger reported seeing no nude bathers on their visit and noted 4WDs churning up the sand. Cold water and wind are frequent caveats.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Ten Mile Lagoon is not a legally designated nude beach; nude use is a long-standing local custom. Visit Esperance pages list the beach on the Great Ocean Drive without mentioning nudity (2026).
Naturism at Ten Mile Lagoon sits under Australia's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Australia public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. -33.8727, 121.7298
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Australia
Frequently asked questions
Is Ten Mile Lagoon a legal nude beach?
No, it is an unofficial clothing-optional beach where nude use is a long-standing local custom.
Where is the nude section?
About 200 m west of the Ten Mile Lagoon access, running for roughly a kilometre. It is not signposted.
Is it safe for swimming?
The reef-protected lagoon is calm near shore, but beyond the reef the ocean can be rough and the water is cold.
How do I get there?
Drive the Great Ocean Drive west of Esperance to the Ten Mile Lagoon car park, then take the stairs down to the beach.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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