Monty

Cape Woolamai reminds me of the Melbourne I grew up in. Working class and middle-class community minded people, very safe and friendly atmosphere, lots of big new houses popping up in the place of old beach shacks every year. It really feels like a suburb on the move. I read through the other reviews and a couple of the negative ones seemed to complain about 'the airport'. Said airport has been decommissioned for over a decade and once in a blue moon a plane might make an emergency landing there but every time that happens they need to make a report to the police, it is not a regular occurrence at all. As for the helipad, it is about half a kilometer down the road and you rarely hear them, unless a more adventurous pilot is taking some cashed up tourists off the usual 5 minute route for a closer look at the beach or the whales that swim through every year.

The nature here is thriving, wallabies, sheerwaters, pacific gulls, hawks and echidnas are a very regular occurrence, not to mention the rabbits. Sometimes during stormy weather you will get the odd lost penguin or seal showing up on the beach. Most people in Cape Woolamai are very pro-environment, the best hike on the island is located here and takes you through Coast, Savannah and glade. During summer it is breathtaking because the butterflies have just hatched from their cacoons and as you hike through the hinterland they all flutter around you like something out of a Disney film.

The surf beach is long and constantly changing, many of the locals surf and they take great pride in finding the best spots on any good day and telling all their friends about it. Every morning when the sun is out, a plethora of seasoned surfers line the outlooks scanning the pristine coast for the best opportunities of catching a good wave. Soon after they are running down the sandy tracks with surf boards and wet suits determined not to miss out. Cape Woolamai is the only suburb on Phillip Island that has both a bay beach and a surf beach. The bay beach is quiet, safe, and fairly enclosed. It is perfect for kids and kayakers and is where the local hobby fishermen usually launch their dingeys.

The local fast food is particuarly good for a country town. Woolamai Pizza is especially good, I honestly think they have the best Australian pizzas I've ever had, and I grew up in the city. However if pizza doesn't catch your fancy there are a few other very good options, fish and chips, kebabs, burgers and a cafe with great coffee. If you feel like a sit-down meal there is a really good restaurant that recently arrived which serves keg-beer, traditional central European food with an overall motorbike racing theme. The closest supermarket is the IGA in San Remo where you are also spoiled for great culinary options.

Overall we couldn't fault Cape Woolamai for any reason, it is by far the nicest suburb either myself of my wife have ever lived in, and it's nice to live somewhere where people still greet one another as they walk their dogs and children are constantly out, riding their bikes and playing in the dunes. 10/10 from us, we are not going anywhere.