Around 3,000 people braved the icy waters of Hobart’s Long Beach at 7:42 a.m. for the annual Nude Solstice Swim, marking the shortest day of the year and the grand finale of the Dark Mofo winter arts festival.
What began in 2013 with resistance from Tasmania Police—who once threatened to arrest the initial 200 participants for public indecency—has now become a beloved tradition, attracting thousands from across Australia. Many swimmers described the experience as exhilarating, energising, and deeply meaningful.
A group of four women from Queensland, who now swim in memory of a late friend, said they warmed up with schnapps and shared hugs before the plunge. First-timer Justin called it a refreshing “detox” for the second half of the year, while others like Fran Beaches noted how much colder it felt this year.
Jenna, Tim, and Chrissie, all repeat swimmers, agreed the collective energy made the freezing dip worthwhile. “You just feel so alive after,” Jenna said.
Research by the University of Queensland backs this up. Lead researcher Dr. Laura Ferris found that participants experience a strong sense of social connection and pleasure during the swim. “People who found the swim pleasurable also reported greater social bonding,” she noted.
In parallel, Australian expeditioners at four Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations also took a plunge through holes cut in sea ice, with temperatures dropping to -1.8°C. Casey station leader Andy Warton described the midwinter swim as a moment to reflect and unite, calling it the “soul of the Antarctic winter.”
From Hobart to Antarctica, the icy ritual has become a powerful symbol of community, resilience, and celebration in some of the coldest corners of the world.
