Helios Naturist Club

A naturist club run as an association (Helios Society Ltd), founded in 1958, owned by its members and led by volunteers chosen from among them. It lies in the bush of the Dandenong Ranges, near Gembrook, just over an hour's drive from Melbourne (Victoria), on about 35 hectares; the exact address is given to those who register. It presents itself as a club for families of all kinds, with many young families and activities for children, and states that it welcomes people of every sexual orientation. There is an 18×7 metre solar-heated pool shaded by a sail, a heated hot tub for up to 12 people, large lawns for sunbathing, playing bowls or cricket, a camping area on the other side of the road with powered and unpowered sites, and a large deck with an outdoor kitchen next to the clubhouse, overlooking the pool and lawn. The facilities are reserved for members, for whom there are events on most long weekends and public holidays; visitors can come on two open days a year. The lawn and pool are nude-only zones, while elsewhere newcomers can undress in their own time. The club maintains a gender balance among its members, so those joining as singles may end up on a waiting list. Photos are forbidden and you need your own transport: the club does not accept people arriving by taxi or public transport, because in an emergency everyone must be able to leave the property on their own.