"The weather was cold. Many of the bare white bodies indicated the lack of sunshine in Canberra recently but a number took to the water apparently unperturbed," the article said.

ACT Nudist Club Inc president Mr Rick Venning said he was glad there was finally a designated area for nudists to congregate in the water, which was near the Kambah pool, but he was worried about its accessibility.

The club had 90 members from babies to elderly people, with about 50 turning up for the occasion.

The area also lacked creature comforts with the nearest toilet a kilometre away.

Some nudists expressed concerns about prejudices against them. One man said signs near the area that said "nude persons may be encountered beyond this point" reminded him of a zoo.

Meanwhile, Brindabella Sun Club president Mr Keith Wood said he was not concerned about potential "peeping-toms" near the area.

"If they are happy to sit up on the side of the hill fully-clothed watching us soaking up the sun, that's their business," he said.

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/14544431