Sitting outside in the sunshine, listening to the birds sing, surrounded by trees, a pool and spa a stone’s throw away, all accompanied by great conversation; I was in my own little paradise. Perhaps fifteen minutes into my conversation with a married couple from Gladstone, I stopped to think about how odd this would seem to most other people…the fact that I was sitting there completely naked discussing politics and whatnot with a couple I had met only fifteen minutes prior.

boBRENE (pronounced boe-brene) is a boutique, naturist retreat located on the foothills of the lush Tamborine Mountain, halfway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane in the sunny state of Queensland, Australia. Backing onto the Tamborine State Forest, the picturesque retreat is nestled amongst 6.125 hectares of pristinely landscaped garden, which part-owner, Bob, tends to in nothing but some minimal safety gear to ‘protect the crowned jewels’.

It is a couples-only retreat with various accommodation options for nude-goers. From a cosy cottage, to a quirky chalet, to a room in the homestead, or the option to stay on a powered campsite, there are plenty of options for those looking for an overnight stay or two (or more!). There is also the option for a day visit if you’re just wanting to hang out by the pool, chill in the jacuzzi or play some nude tennis or petanque. You’re sure to catch a glimpse of some Australian wildlife too!

I thought that, perhaps, it was a swingers-friendly retreat; and whilst I am not a practicing swinger, of course I was damn curious and keen as hell to check it out (I mean, it’s me we’re talking about)! Not wanting to ask the question outright on the phone, my best friend and I had our backstory down pat. So, also not wanting to be denied access, we ventured to boBRENE, a couples-only boutique naturist retreat in the Gold Coast Hinterland of South East Queensland, pretending to be a lesbian couple. What started out as a stealth operation turned out to be a fun adventure that resulted in us stumbling across a haven for nudists where we also formed an amazing friendship with married couple and owners of boBRENE, Bob and Rene.