CAPE WOOLAMAI

Autumn, Winter and Spring

Roaring waves crashing down close to me as I stand by the shore . Salty wind seeping into my hair, making it wet and sticky. I tighten my coat, wrapping it further around me in an attempt to warm up. The sky is grey and the beach is almost empty. Only a few keen surfers and the odd person strolling along the beach.

At Cape Woolamai, anything can happen. It is different every time I come here. The mood changes dramatically in a matter of seconds. When the clouds open up to reveal warm streaks of light, the colours and the atmosphere change. People seem to suddenly appear, all with their own connections and motivations for being here.

Busloads of tourists frequently visit, flooding the walkway and the shorefront. Some hastily take as many photos as possible of the beach with the short time they have before their bus departs. Others stand peacefully soaking up the fresh air and looking out to the depths of the sea.

I have been coming here for the last six months, never growing tired of it. Cape Woolamai beach, situated at the south eastern tip of Phillip Island, is famous for its ancient pink granite rock formations. Painted by Austrian artist Eugene Von Guerard in 1872 titled ‘View of the granite rocks at Cape Woolamai’. These rocks have been depicted and captured by photographers for many decades. Cape Woolamai is also known as a one of Victoria’s most popular surf beaches. Surfers brave the turbulent waves thoughout all seasons and weather conditions.