Country
New Zealand
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
Summer (December to March)
About Southern Naturally
Southern Naturally, which bills itself as the world's southernmost naturist club, is the home of the Southland naturists and is affiliated with the New Zealand Naturist Federation. Its grounds are the historic Aparima School, a former country primary school on Guise Road in the farmland of western Southland, about ten minutes from Otautau and forty minutes from Invercargill. The old school buildings serve the club. The setting is quiet and rural, with views to the foothills of the Longwood Range and the often snow-capped Takitimu Mountains. It is a small members' club rather than a resort: there are camping facilities for naturist campers, and the club's photographs show a spa pool, but the club publishes few details and asks visitors to get in touch first. Members can meet visitors, open up and show them around, as the gate and buildings are locked when no one is on site. By arrangement the club also helps walkers on the Te Araroa trail, which passes through Southland, and it makes a convenient base or stopover for trips to Fiordland, Milford Sound, the Catlins and Stewart Island.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on the club's private grounds; New Zealand has no general ban on non-offensive nudity.
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
Drive to Otautau (about 40 minutes north-west of Invercargill on good roads), then about 10 minutes on to 329 Guise Road, Aparima; the club offers a downloadable directions sheet on its website. Contact the club before coming (phone 028 474 1245 or e-mail southernnaturally@gonatural.co.nz): the gate and buildings are locked when no members are present, and a member will meet you. Naturist campers must also arrange their stay in advance. Prices and visitor conditions were not published online when checked in October 2026. Otautau has a pub, supermarket, 24-hour fuel and other services.
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
-46.0653, 168.0530
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Southern Naturally?
At the old Aparima School, 329 Guise Road, Aparima, about 10 minutes from Otautau and 40 minutes from Invercargill, not in Invercargill itself.
Can I just turn up?
No. Contact the club first; the gate and buildings are locked when no members are on site, and a member will meet you.
Can I camp there?
Yes, naturist campers are welcome by prior arrangement.
Does the club help Te Araroa walkers?
Yes, by arrangement it can help walkers on the trail through Southland.
Sources
- NZ Naturist Federation - Southern Naturally Official
- Southern Naturally (official site)
- Southern Naturally - Location
- Southern Naturally - Services
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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