Country
Australia
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Family friendly
Yes
About River Island Nature Retreat
Current status: River Island is no longer a naturist resort. It is now K2 River Island Nature Retreat, offering cabins, glamping and riverside camping, and the current listing does not mention naturism. River Island is on the Wollondilly River near Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. It was set up in 1984 by Colin and Katina Sell and was long described as Australia's oldest nudist resort. After Colin Sell's death, the property was sold to a property syndicate led by developer Kurt Braune, reported at just under $4.75 million. Braune said clothing would become mandatory, framing the change as making the property family-friendly. The press reports I could read do not give the exact sale date, and I did not open the full article, which returned an error. The rebrand appears recent, with a listing promotion that has a booking deadline in August 2026. The reason for the change is the new owners' stated plan, not any council, law or regulator decision in my sources.
Legal context & local rules
No legal issue is documented in my sources. The change was a commercial decision by the new owners, and I found no council, police or regulator statement about nudity at the property.
Public nudity is generally illegal across Australian states under indecent exposure laws. NSW Summary Offences Act 1988 Section 5 criminalises obscene exposure. However, specific beaches designated as clothing-optional by state governments are legally exempt, creating designated safe spaces for legal naturism within an otherwise restrictive framework.
Getting there and visiting
My sources do not give driving directions, parking charges or public transport options for the current retreat. The property is on the Wollondilly River near Mittagong, in NSW's Southern Highlands. Check with the operator for booking, arrival times and whether cabins, camping or glamping are available on the dates you want. Accessibility and walking paths were not described in the sources I found.
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
-34.3662, 150.1111
Frequently asked questions
Is River Island still a nudist resort?
No. The new owners said clothing would become mandatory, and the current listing describes cabins, camping and glamping with no mention of naturism.
When was it sold?
The sources I could read do not give the exact sale date.
Who owns it now?
Press reports say a property syndicate led by developer Kurt Braune bought it.
Sources
- Australia's oldest nudist resort has just been sold (Commercial Real Estate)
- Why the new owner of Australia's most famous nudist resort might want to cover up (Commercial Real Estate)
- K2 River Island Nature Retreat (Visit Southern Highlands)
- K2 River Island Nature Retreat (Visit NSW)
Researched 25 October 2026 .
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