171. Woolamai Beach and Tie-bar

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values.Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website (external link) for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	Woolamai – 555323. South-east from Woolamai Waters.	Sites 170, Cape Woolamai Woolamai isthumus and eroding beach Cleeland Bight, Site 171
Access:	Woolamai Beach Road.
Ownership:	Crown land (Cape Woolamai State Faunal Reserve).
Geology/Geomorphology:	The site includes the tie-bar that links Cape Woolamai to the main body of Phillip Island. The tombolo consists of a basement of basalt and Upper Tertiary sediments regarded by Jenkin (1962, 1974) as equivalents of the Warneet Beds, overlain by siliceous and calcareous sands form the active and partially stabilized dunes of the body of the isthmus. The (1973) study recognised two sets of parabolic dunes – a dominant set moving north-easterly towards Cleeland Bight and a minor set developed on the eastern shore and extending only a short way inland. In detail the dune topography is complex with smaller parabolic ridges superimposed on the larger sets and there are several large basin-shaped deflation hollows. An increase in vegetation on the Bass Strait coast dunes leads to a reduction of sand supply to the beaches of Cleeland Bight and some erosion has recently been noted on those beaches (Eric Bird, pers. Comm.).
Significance:	National. The tie-bar or tombolo is accorded the same significance status as Cape Woolamai as it is regarded as an integral part of the tombolo complex.
Management:	Class 2. Restriction of pedestrian and vehicular traffic to well defined routes is necessary to avoid major disturbance to dune topography and vegetation. Relocation of the road to the surf lifesaving club, via an inland route that follows the dune topography, would be acceptable if it was considered impossible to maintain the present alignment. However, it is essential to recognise that the dunes of the tombolo are intermittently active features, and it must be anticipated that episodes of substantial sand movement will occur.
References:	Jenkin, J.J. (1962). The geology and underground water resources of the Tooradin area. Dept. of Mines Vict. Underground Water Investigation Report No. 4. Teh, Tiong Sa. (1973). The orientation of parabolic dunes at Cape Woolamai, Victoria, Aust. Ilmu Alam, Bil. 2.

Site 171, Cape Woolamai

Image: Sites of Significance Westernport Bay Site 170 & 171

The tombolo complex of Cape Woolamai
includes the dune capped granitic upland of
Cape Woolamai and a sand covered isthmus
2.5 km long. Basaltic and sedimentary rocks
underlie the isthmus. Note the strong surf
and numerous rip currents on the Bass Strait
shoreline and the contrast with the sheltered
coast of The Narrows (upper left), Site 171

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