A ‘free the nipple’ picnic which began for a group of friends but swelled to thousands has attracted criticism and even threats of violence.

Around 50 women showed up to bare their breasts after Zoe Buckley Lennox, 22, and Amanda Haworth, 21, organised the event for a group of friends so their nipples could 'enjoy a cool breeze and challenge the patriarchy all at once’.

Days after the event was put on Facebook, more than 800 said they would be attending, 1,600 said they were interested in attending, and a further 3,400 had received an invitation over Facebook to the free the nipple event, which took place on Sunday afternoon at West End's Orleigh Park in Brisbane.

Scroll down for video

Around 50 women showed up to bear their breasts after an event was created to allow their nipples to 'enjoy a cool breeze and challenge the patriarchy all at once’

Despite it being ‘2016 and too hot for t-shirts’, the event didn't avoid controversy.

Plans to host the event were only hatched on Tuesday evening when Ms Lennox and Ms Haworth discussed how the free the nipple movement, which has gained traction internationally, could be brought to Brisbane.

‘We started to talk about the ways in which we could work towards freeing the nipple,’ Ms Haworth told Daily Mail Australia.

‘We just said to each other: “Hey, why don’t we put on a picnic where our friends can come and take their shirts off and sit in the park and have a nice afternoon?"

‘We just said to each other: “Hey, why don’t we put on a picnic where our friends can come and take their shirts off and sit in the park and have a nice afternoon?"

Two women pose with cupcakes at the Free The Nipple event on Sunday afternoon

More than 1,000 people expressed interest in the Free The Nipple event

‘Little did we know, through making it [the Facebook event page] public, we have attracted so much attention.’

The event is open to women, non-binary and trans people only, but its Facebook page has been overrun by those who oppose it.

‘What a horrible thing to expose children to and how sad that women feel the need to do these things to get attention,’ one woman wrote on the page. ‘If you want to be treated like equal’s [sic] maybe stop doing childish and attention seeking things.

‘Your [sic] really just promoting pornography more than anything.’

The comment attracted a response from feminist commentator Clementine Ford, who wrote in the thread: ‘OH MY GOD IMAGINE IF CHILDREN SEE A BREAST THEY WILL DIE OF FRIGHT.’

Another writer, Elizabeth Flux, wrote that she looked forward to people ‘saying this same thing to topless men’ and explaining 'how to breastfeed without “exposing children” to breasts’.

Ms Haworth said there have been ‘a lot of worries in regards to safety’, with some men threatening to ‘come and sabotage the event’

But despite the negativity online, the event went ahead without any disturbances

Other critics claimed it would be hypocritical to host an event in support of equality that is not open to men. Others claimed it would be counter-productive.

‘I struggle with the fact that men are not allowed to attend,’ one woman, who said she supported the cause, wrote on the event page.

‘It's not freeing the nipple if it's only in front of other women. The whole point is to desexualise breasts: you are continuing to perpetuate the lie that it is inappropriate for women to bare their chests by making this gender exclusive,’ she wrote.

The organisers said they understood that complaint, but wanted to ensure those attending felt comfortable.

While the page was overrun with those mocking the event, at least one man made what appeared to be threats of sexual violence.

‘Im [sic] so genuinely interested im buying viagra today! Alot [sic] of accidental poking and bumping into topless ones,’ one man wrote.

When people responded, he replied: ‘I said “accidentally”. See I might trip over my clumsy style of walking and YOU just might be in my direct path. So no not sexually assaulting women. Just constantly tripping isn’t a crime.’

There were mixed responses to the event online, some calling it an 'embarrassment'

One person attending was concerned about the comments and wrote: ‘For now, a lot of women wouldn’t feel safe in that environment [with men in attendance]. Small steps. Then big steps.’

‘Let’s not be disingenuous and pretend there are not men out there who would make a topless woman feel unsafe,’ another wrote.

Ms Haworth said there have been ‘a lot of worries in regards to safety’, with some men threatening to ‘come and sabotage the event’.

However, the organiser said the uproar and negativity highlighted the need to hold these events.

‘If we were to back out [because of the threats] we would be letting them win,’ Ms Haworth said.

Elka Tolhoek, 19, said that she was apprehensive after reading the negative and sometimes threatening comments on social media but decided to attend the event anyway, despite the 'unprovoked aggression' online.

Elka Tolhoek, 19, said that she was apprehensive after reading the negative and sometimes threatening comments on social media but decided to attend the event anyway, despite the 'unprovoked aggression' online

'I understand that some of them were offended that men were excluded from the event, but to react in such a violent, uncomfortable way - it was really concerning for me as a victim of abuse.'

She said the 'incredible' event allowed her to feel free from being sexualised, ridiculed or abused.

'It was all about feeling comfortable with our bodies in their natural state, enjoying one another's company and just allowing ourselves the freedom that men are automatically allowed,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'Upon arrival, I had people saying hello, offering me lychees and cupcakes, or offering to paint my breasts. It was a really relaxed, jubilant and safe environment with a lot of creative, inspiring people.'

She said the event went so well that the group have discussed making it a monthly occurrence.

The organiser said that future events might be open for men to attend.

While some critics suggested the attendees could be arrested for wilful exposure or public nuisance, no arrests were made.

The organisers did add a caution that legal ramifications were possible.