Around a dozen naked men jumped out of a pick-up truck and sprinted down Main Beach on the Gold Coast, shocking diners. Shouts of "go, go!" were heard as they ran along the high street in the nude, with police warning they could face fines.
The bizarre scene was filmed from a nearby balcony. In the clip, the person recording can be heard saying: "What the hell are they doing? They're nudie running!"
Witness Reactions
Onlookers said the incident stopped people in their tracks. "Everyone was standing up in the restaurant having a look," one witness told Nine News. "The most action Main Beach has ever seen!"
Another added: "'Are we really seeing this? But it was very entertaining, and very quick. I just gathered it must have been a buck's night."
Police Warning
Queensland Police said they were aware of the incident but had yet to receive an official complaint, The Sun reported. However, officers reportedly warned that the naked dash could lead to fines.
In Queensland, wilful exposure carries a fine of $345 (about £180), while causing a public nuisance can see offenders charged more than $500 (around £260), according to the Today Show. Acting Chief Superintendent Brett Jackson said authorities would investigate if it "comes into our knowledge that something has occurred and caused distress to someone".
"That behaviour isn't what we want to see on the Gold Coast and it won't be tolerated," he added.
Legal Context
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (for England and Wales), public nudity is not an offence in itself. It only becomes a crime if it can be proven the person stripped with the deliberate intent to cause shock, alarm, or distress. If a group did it purely as a prank, UK police usually only step in if it causes a breach of the peace.
Last month, thousands of naked people flooded the streets of London for The World Naked Bike Ride, protesting car culture and oil dependency. According to reports, participants were not fined.
