Cape Woolamai to Beacon Point loop walk
Cape Woolamai to Beacon Point loop walk
This Cape walk includes varied landscapes - beautiful beach, a woodland teeming with butterflies and wallabies, a great view from beacon hill and the rugged, spectacular beauty of The Pinnacles.
Summary
This Cape walk includes varied landscapes - beautiful beach, a woodland teeming with butterflies and wallabies, a great view from beacon hill and the rugged, spectacular beauty of The Pinnacles.
Description
Cape Woolamai has to be one of "the Island's" most scenic treasures and is my favourite area for walking. Uninterrupted views across Bass Strait, rugged cliffs and plenty of wildlife-spotting - you'll be back for a second, third, hundredth viewing!
There are plenty of options for how to tackle a walk at the Cape, so check out the signage at the back of the car park at Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club. I've chosen this route because it takes in a variety of landscapes - beautiful beach, a woodland teeming with butterflies and wallabies, a great view from the beacon and the rugged and spectacular Pinnacles.
Be aware that while Woolamai Beach is beautiful and popular with surfers it is notoriously wild and rips and undertow are common. Please check conditions and only swim between flags when the beach is being actively patrolled by surf lifesavers.
34927 Views
Points of Interest
1. Which walk to do?
Cape Woolamai is the highest point on the Island. I've chosen a loop walk that takes in the woodland and Beacon Hill plus The Pinnacles but a map at the back of the car park shows other alternatives.
2. Ramp from Surf Club
This walk begins with an 800m trek along the beach, so take the ramp down from the Life Saving Club car park.
3. Hooded Plovers
This is why dogs are not allowed! The beach and dunes here are a safe haven for breeding birds such as the endangered Hooded Plover.
4. Gorgeous beach walk
What a great way to start a walk! A good time to remind ourselves how lucky we are in Victoria to have such marvellous, accessible ocean beaches. Only swim between the flags here though!
5. Stairs to clifftop
You'll come to the wooden stairs that take you up the cliff to the proper start of the Cape walk. Take care, the steps are steep! Photo: Marion Rundle
6. Cape Woolamai's amazing shearwaters
Find out what is so amazing about this species of bird, and how far it travels each year to nest and breed at the Cape.
7. Nesting
As you walk you'll see how the Cape is dotted everywhere with nests for weary, world-travelling, short-tailed shearwaters. Take care not to disturb their nests!
8. Path to woodlands
Don't worry, there 's plenty more breath-taking coastal scenery to come. So take a left here towards the native woodlands, a haven for wallabies and birdlife.
9. Wildlife
You're guaranteed to see wallabies as you stroll through this area. They are curious creatures!
10. Butterfly way
During the summer months you may see more butterflies along here than you've seen anywhere (well, short of the Melbourne Zoo's butterfly house!)
11. Ocean views
Just spectacular. Come morning or evening for the best light and colours as you head back towards the coastal track towards Beacon Hill.
12. Beacon Point
Head up the hill for a great view of Bass Strait and to learn about how this point was used to help guide vessels to safety in the past. Photo: Marion Rundle.
13. Best view of the Island?
This must be the best view of Phillip Island. On a clear day you can see the bridge that connects Islanders to mainland Victoria.
14. View of caves
Be sure to keep looking as you make your ways along the track here as there's always something special to see from every vantage point. We wonder who lives in these caves?
15. The Pinnacles
Behold The Pinnacles in all their rugged beauty from here. And take note of the warnings about staying behind the fence line!
16. Look back
As you head back towards the beach and surf club take a moment to appreciate how far you've come today!
17. Beach play
You'll finish this walk as you began, with a lovely ramble along the beach. Perhaps we'll see you there some day! Please beware the surf is quite wild here.
Features
Seating available
Public toilets
Historical interest
Nature trail
Lake, creek, river
