Three signposted clifftop walks at Cape Woolamai combine into an 8km circuit of the Pinnacles, the Beacon and the Old Granite Quarry. From late September to April, up to a million shearwaters nest along the route.
The best Cape Woolamai walks on Phillip Island head to the Pinnacles, Old Granite Quarry and Cape Woolamai Beacon. They combine to make the Cape Woolamai Circuit.
Why visit Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island?
Cape Woolamai is the south-eastern tip of Victoria‘s Phillip Island, often ignored by travellers as they flock to the Penguin Parade in the south-west. But that might be a mistake – Cape Woolamai is arguably where Phillip Island feels most wild and least touristy.
Surfers don’t make this mistake. The Woolamai Surf Beach is renowned for its consistent breaks, and it’s one of the closest beaches to Melbourne with good surf.
Cape Woolamai walks
For non-surfers, however, the main reason to visit Cape Woolamai on a day trip from Melbourne is the walk along the clifftops. There are three Cape Woolamai walking tracks, all of which can be combined in the Cape Woolamai Circuit.
Pinnacles Walk
The shortest of these three Cape Woolamai walks on Phillip Island is the Pinnacles Walk. This trail is around 4km long, marked with green markers.
The Pinnacles Walk goes to the Pinnacles Lookout, which offers ocean views foregrounded by jagged rock formations in the sea.
Old Granite Quarry Walk
The Old Granite Quarry Walk is a bit longer, at 6km. Blue markers line the route, and the walk takes around three hours.
Wildlife hangs out here – there’s a decent chance of seeing an echidna snuffling along the track.
Cape Woolamai shearwaters
The main wildlife attraction at Cape Woolamai, however, is the enormous shearwater colony. Short-tailed shearwaters, also known as mutton birds, make burrows all over the Cape.
Cape Woolamai Beacon Walk
The longest of the three Cape Woolamai walks is the Cape Woolamai Beacon Walk. This is around 6.6km long, with black markers showing the way.
The Cape Woolamai Beacon Walk should take about 3.5 hours, and it visits the Cape Woolamai Beacon. This is basically a lighthouse done on the cheap.
Where do the Cape Woolamai walks start?
All of the walks begin at the information shelter by the Cape Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club car park. None are especially difficult, although the price of moody coastal scenery is often blustery winds on the exposed clifftops.
Whale watching at Cape Woolamai
If you’d prefer to see Cape Woolamai from the sea, the Phillip Island whale-watching tours run by Wildlife Coast Cruises pass by in the winter months.
Cape Woolamai walks: key visitor information
Check the tide and the weather before you set out, because the beach sections can be impassable at very high tide.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to do the Cape Woolamai walks? | There is no entry fee for the walks. |
| Is there parking at Cape Woolamai? | Yes. There is a large sealed car park at the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club, 288 Woolamai Beach Road, Cape Woolamai VIC 3925. Parking is free, and the car park has designated accessible bays. |
| What are the Cape Woolamai walks opening hours? | No opening hours are listed. The circuit takes about four hours, so start in daylight. |
| How do you get from the car park to the Cape Woolamai walks? | Walk onto the beach and turn left. Follow the beach for about 1km, then climb the stairs to the clifftop. |
| How long is the Pinnacles Walk? | About 4km, marked with green markers. Allow around two hours return. |
| How long is the Old Granite Quarry Walk? | 6km, marked with blue markers. Allow around three hours return. |
| How long is the Cape Woolamai Beacon Walk? | 6.6km, marked with black markers. Allow around 3.5 hours return. |
| How long is the Cape Woolamai Circuit? | About 8km, combining all three walks. Allow around four hours. |
| How hard are the Cape Woolamai walks? | Moderate. Expect a steady incline with some steps and uneven track surfaces. |
| What is the best tide for the Cape Woolamai walks? | Walk at low to mid tide. The beach sections can be impassable at very high tide. |
| When can you see shearwaters at Cape Woolamai? | From late September to April. The birds arrive in late September after a 16,000km migration from the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. Stay on the tracks, because their burrows collapse easily. |
| What facilities are at the Cape Woolamai car park? | Toilets, including accessible toilets, and a kiosk. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Cape Woolamai walks? | No. Dogs are not permitted. |
| Can you take a pram or wheelchair on the Cape Woolamai walks? | No. The walks are not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. Bicycles are not permitted. |
| Is it safe to swim at Woolamai Surf Beach? | The beach is patrolled, but strong rips make it dangerous for swimming. Leave it to the surfers. |
| Are there snakes at Cape Woolamai? | Be aware of snakes in warm weather. Steep cliffs run beside the tracks, so stay on the paths at all times. |
| How far is Cape Woolamai from Melbourne? | About 129km, or around 1 hour 40 minutes by car. |
| When can you see whales from Cape Woolamai? | Whales pass from mid-May to September, with the peak in June and July. Wildlife Coast Cruises runs winter whale cruises from Cowes from June to early August. |
Things to do near Cape Woolamai
Woolamai Surf Beach – This patrolled surf beach is where the walks begin, but strong rips make it dangerous for swimming.
Forrest Caves – This easy 2km walk takes about 45 minutes return and explores sea caves carved by erosion.
Kitty Miller Bay – This one-hour walk combines rockpooling and shell collecting with the rusted remains of an old shipwreck.
Churchill Island Heritage Farm – This heritage farm has 19th-century homesteads, and it runs farm demonstrations such as cow milking and sheep shearing.
Penguin Parade – At Summerlands in the south-west of the island, this is where Little Penguins waddle home from the ocean.
More Victoria travel
Other Victoria travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Phillip Island seal cruise: How much it costs, how long it lasts and key booking information.
- A Maze’N Things, Phillip Island: Guide to the family-friendly fun centre.
- Key indormation about Agnes Falls in Gippsland – Victoria’s tallest single drop waterfall.
- Practical guide to the Skull Rock cruise on Wilsons Promontory.
- Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory: Visitor guide – and why the sand squeaks.
