If Bushrangers Bay in the Mornington Peninsula is considered one of the most underrated coastal walks in Victoria, then the Cape Woolamai Walk is not far behind it.
First of all, and probably the best part about this walk, is it’s accessible in so many ways.
There are ample car parks; it’s well-signed which means it’s incredibly easy to follow and it’s a nice gentle walk with very few hills.
Plus, you’ll be sure to spot a kangaroo or three as you continue to make your way around the circuit.
Apart from the Grampians, and perhaps Mount Lofty in Wonga Park, I don’t think I’ve seen as many kangaroos as I have during my time along the Cape Woolamai Walk.
Located at the end of Woolamai Beach Road, the car park is where you will begin and end this near-on 8.5km walk. It also features a toilet block which is always handy.
Now as it’s a circuit, you can start and finish the Cape Woolamai Walk either way, however, we would recommend walking it in a clockwise direction and finishing with the stunning Pinnacles.
It’s also good to start in this direction as you may cop the tide as it comes in on your way back to the car park if you do it in an anti-clockwise direction.
The beginning of the trail is located at the start of the car park; almost as if you were heading away from it.
Again, it’s well-signed so you won’t miss it but be sure to keep an eye out for it just to be sure.
Straight away you’re onto the sand and walking through a well-formed path in amongst coastal gums and out onto the beach on the northeast side.
Take a right and begin winding your way along the beach in a south-easterly direction.
After a while, you’ll come to what is basically a dead-end with a flight of stairs located to your right that will start the gradual ascent up to the main highlights of the track.
The next section is what you might typically expect from a coastal walk – plenty of coastal gums.
From here, continue making your ascent towards Cape Woolamai Beacon on Woolamai Hill which, at an elevation of 128 metres, is the walk’s highest peak.
However, before you get there, make sure you take a quick side trip to the lookout point. It’s a great spot for photography.
Continue on your way to the Beacon, which is also roughly the halfway point, and from here it’s a slow descent towards the Pinnacle and back to the car park.
The Pinnacles are without a doubt THE highlight of the Cape Woolamai Walk and the best spot to take photos.
In fact, give yourself plenty of time to spend as much time here as possible as there are plenty of angles to choose from to get some amazing photos whether it be using a DSLR or smartphone.
Once you’re done at the Pinnacles, continue on the same path which will eventually lead to a wooden flight of stairs down to the beach.
A short time afterward you will find yourself back at the car park after completing an incredibly picturesque walk.
For me, the Cape Woolamai Walk is a walk that is suitable for all bushwalkers and casual walkers who would typically have a general base level of fitness.
For those of you who have little children, I’d probably recommend doing a shorter version from the car park to the Pinnacle and back again starting in an anti-clockwise position.
As always, if you wish to follow my recording of the Cape Woolamai Walk, you can do so via my WikiLoc account here.
The Stats – Cape Woolamai Walk
Length (km): 8.36kms (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 3hr 45min
Moving Time: 1hr 59mins
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (Grade 3)
Maximum Elevation: 128m
Accum. elev. uphill: 138m
Accum. elev. downhill: 138m
Return/Circuit/One Way: Circuit
