Police Cancel Nude Swim At Hobart's Dark Mofo Festival

The intriguing Hobart festival Dark Mofo has found itself involved in a bit of controversy today, with its nude swim cancelled as the Tasmanian government is unable to support the event.

As told to the ABC, the swim has been deemed contrary to public decency and against Tasmanian legislation by Tasmania Police. The event was expected to have around 25 participants, all of whom would have been subject to arrest on the grounds of indecent exposure, obscene behaviour or disorderly conduct if it went ahead.

Leigh Carmichael, Creative Director of Dark MoFo, said that the event was all in a bit of fun, but they had to take the potential outcomes seriously.

"While it was a bit of fun, as soon as you start seeing the word 'arrest' come through on the email the fun disappears pretty quickly," he said.

The swim was to take place in the Derwent River at sunrise, with participants to have painted bodies as representation of traditions in the northern hemisphere and Antarctica where people take a nude dip in freezing temperatures.

Dark Mofo will see a range of musical acts perform from Thursday 13 June to Sunday 23 - with The Presets, You Am I, The Drones, Jeff Lang, Boris, Mono and Martha Wainwright all on the festival bill.