Hiking Victoria: Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk on Phillip Island

• Starting Point: Cape Woolamai Beach Carpark
• Distance: 8.5 km circuit
• Time: 3 hours
• Ascent:171 m
• Difficulty: Moderate

One of the best walks to do on Phillip Island is the 8.5km Cape Woolamai Circuit Walk. This rugged headland is in the southeast of the island and is the home of wild surfing beaches. The spectacular trail takes you around the bluff. It leads you up to the highest point on Phillip Island, Woolamai Hill. At the top, you are presented with 360 degree views.

Trip Notes

It was a beautiful day when I decided to do this walk. I had stayed in Cowes for the weekend and set off to do the hike before lunch. Aside from strong winds it was the perfect day. The walk starts down the ramp and onto the beach. I turned to the left and followed the beach south. After nearly a kilometer, I came across the  stairs leading up to the clifftop. Once up the top I continued right. The track follows the cliffs toward a lookout over the Pinnacles. I took some photos and continued around the loop. 

The trail is beautiful and hugs the cliffs. It moves slightly inland as you gradually climb toward the highest point on Phillip Island. 

Once at the peak I was rewarded with spectacular views along the cape and back toward the surf beach. I stopped to take more pictures across Phillip Island and the Bass Coast. The lookout was incredible, but the wind was really strong. 

I hiked down the trail to another viewpoint overlooking the east coast of the cape and Cleeland Bight. It was a bit more sheltered here. The path was inland through coastal scrub. 

I continued on to the beach and Old Quarry. It was a bit overgrown but still easy to follow. I walked down the steps onto the beach. There were large square blocks across the sand. I turned left and walked along the beach until I reached the turnoff. This led back to Woolamai Surf Beach. Then it was a short walk back to the road and down to the car park. 

Such a great day with beautiful views. 

Safety Tips

• Snakes are common on warm days, so be alert and stay on track.
• Some steep cliffs lack stability, with long drops into the ocean and no barriers. Stay away from edges. 
• Beaches along the walk are unsafe for swimming due to rips and strong currents. 
• For the full circuit, aim for low tide. This ensures safe walking along the beaches. Cleeland Bight can be impassable at high tide. If you start at high tide, skip the old quarry. This allows you to form a shorter loop back to the car park.

What’s hot 

If you hike between May and October you might spot Southern Right Whales or Humpback Whales off the coast. 

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