Woolamai Beach is the longest and most exposed beach on Phillip Island, and is the site of the island's only surf life saving club, founded in 1959.

Woolamai Beach is the longest and most exposed beach on Phillip Island, and is the site of the island's only surf life saving club, founded in 1959.

The cape was named by George Bass (but spelt "Wollamai") when he passed it on his whaleboat voyage in early 1798. Wollamai is the snapper fish (Pagrus auratus) in the language of the Eora aboriginal people of Port Jackson, where the fish is found. Bass, who had learnt some of the Sydney language from the Eora leader Bennelong, thought the headland resembled the head of that fish.

The area was purchased from the government in 1868 by John Cleeland, sea captain, publican and owner of the Melbourne Cup winner of 1875, 'Wollomai'. He then built Wollomai House, and ran merino sheep from New South Wales. In 1910 his son, John Blake Cleeland, noticed the sand was shifting due to erosion so he planted rows of Marram grass, still evident today.

Wikipedia articles for Woolamai

• Cape Woolamai, Victoria