Country
New Zealand
Reviews
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Family friendly
Check local rules
Season
Year-round (nudity mainly December to March)
About Autumn Farm
Autumn Farm is a privately run, clothing-optional retreat on Central Takaka Road on the edge of Tākaka, the main town of Golden Bay at the top of New Zealand's South Island. It has operated since 1984 and is best known as a queer venue: most guests are gay and bisexual men, though the farm says naturists, pansexual and queer-friendly visitors are welcome too. Accommodation is spread through a garden of about 1.2 hectares (3 acres) and ranges from a lodge and rustic cabins to a dormitory and a campground. All bathrooms are shared, with composting toilets, solar-heated water and well water on tap; there is a swimming pool and an outdoor bush bath that is a social focus in the evenings. Guests can self-cater or book a shared dinner. Clothing is optional across the property, and in practice nudity is most common in the warm months from December to March. The busiest periods are its themed weeks, such as the long-running New Year Summer Camp and a Naked Week in late January, which in 2025-26 ran from 27 December to 3 January and 24 January to 1 February. The venue is open all year and can also be hired for private events. Pets are not allowed.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on private property in New Zealand provided it is not offensive to the public; the farm sets its own clothing-optional rules.
New Zealand has no specific law prohibiting public nudity on beaches; however, individuals can be prosecuted under the Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 4, which criminalises "indecent exposure" when nudity is deemed obscene or indecent. The law specifies: "Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, in or within view of any public place, intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his person." Court decisions have generally distinguished between non-sexual social nudity and indecent exposure, with naturism increasingly recognized as legitimate.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Autumn Farm is at 37 Central Takaka Road, Tākaka 7183, a short distance from the town centre. Golden Bay is reached over the Tākaka Hill road from Motueka and Nelson; Golden Bay Coachlines runs buses from Nelson and Golden Bay Air flies to Tākaka from Wellington. Overnight guests should email stay@autumnfarm.com; the farm says booking is helpful but not strictly required. Day visitors can use the facilities from 10am to 5pm for NZ$20 (price seen 2025-26). Meals cost extra (a catered dinner was about NZ$25). There is no membership or INF card requirement. Check the events page before booking, as themed weeks may be restricted to specific guests.
What visitors say
Guests and LGBT press describe a relaxed, hippie-style rural retreat with a strong community feel, built around the summer camps. The bush bath under the stars and shared dinners are the most mentioned highlights. Accommodation is simple and rustic, with shared bathrooms and composting toilets. Reports agree that nudity is common in summer but much less so in cooler months, and that the crowd is mainly gay and bisexual men. A 2021 article said the long-time owner was looking for people to take over, so arrangements may change.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
-40.8792, 172.8213
Frequently asked questions
Is Autumn Farm a naturist resort?
It is a clothing-optional queer retreat rather than a dedicated naturist resort. Naturists are welcome, but most guests are gay and bisexual men.
Can I visit for a day?
Yes. Day visitors can use the facilities from 10am to 5pm for a NZ$20 fee (2025-26 price).
Is nudity required?
No. Clothing is optional throughout, and nudity is most common in the warm summer months.
Is it open in winter?
Yes, the farm is open all year, but the busy, clothing-optional season is summer, especially the New Year Summer Camp and the late-January Naked Week.
Is it suitable for families?
No. It is an adult retreat aimed at gay, bisexual and queer guests, and it does not market itself to families.
Sources
- Autumn Farm (official site)
- Autumn Farm: 31 Summers of Connection in Golden Bay (Express)
- Changing Times at Autumn Farm (Express)
- Bear guide to South Island New Zealand (Bear World)
Researched 25 October 2026 .
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