The Auckland Outdoor Naturist Club is throwing open the gates and encouraging kiwis to have a look at what naturism has to offer (file shot).

Come for the sausage sizzle and stay to discover a different way of life.

Clothing is optional.

The Auckland Outdoor Naturist Club (AONC) in Swanson, Auckland, is throwing open their gates on March 24 and 25.

Club secretary Robyn said the "textile world" would get an opportunity to look at what life can be like without clothes.

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"Most responses are hilarious," Robyn said.

"Some people are worried that they'll have to take their clothes off if they come through the door, but it's not like that at all."

Nestled in the foothills of the Waitākere Ranges, the club included 13 acres of dense native bush.

Membership was growing and currently sat at around 270, including many families.

"People expect a lot of mad hippies running through the trees but really AONC is like one big community."

Robyn said she had to ease into naturism after encouragement from her husband.

"It took sitting on the beach with a group of people from the club and realising I was the idiot covered up in the sweltering heat for me to get into it," she said.

These days naturism gave her a sense of peace in an otherwise stressed world.

"It gives a sense of freedom, a relaxation of both mind and body," she said.

Go to aonc.nz for more details about the club and the open day.

*Robyn asked Stuff to withhold her last name due to prevailing attitudes around nudity.