Bells Beach - Point Addis Beach Lookout
Point Addis Beach Lookout is one of the Surf Coast's most spectacular clifftop viewpoints, offering sweeping panoramas of rugged sandstone cliffs, pristine beaches and the Southern Ocean. Located within the Point Addis Marine National Park between Anglesea and Bells Beach, the lookout is reached via a short boardwalk from the car park, making it an easy stop along the Great Ocean Road.
From the viewing platform you can enjoy uninterrupted views along the coastline towards Bells Beach, Anglesea and, on a clear day, as far as Point Lonsdale and Lorne. The colourful orange and cream sandstone cliffs, coastal heathland and rolling surf make this one of the finest scenic viewpoints in Victoria. The remote setting also provides excellent opportunities to watch seabirds, dolphins and migrating Southern Right Whales during winter and spring.
A boardwalk links the lookout with walking tracks through coastal heath and connects with sections of the Surf Coast Walk. More adventurous visitors can continue to Addiscot Beach or explore longer walks towards Southside Beach and Bells Beach. Interpretive signs explain the significance of the area to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the rich marine environment protected within the national park.
Point Addis is particularly popular at sunrise and sunset, when the changing light brings out the vibrant colours of the cliffs and ocean. Although the lookout is easily accessible, visitors should remain behind safety barriers and take care near cliff edges, especially during windy conditions.
Facilities include a large free sealed car park, viewing platforms, public toilets (100m along Point Addis Road from the carpark), information signs, beach access via stairs, Surf Coast Walk, picnic tables and seasonal whale watching. There is no drinking water available.
Location of Lookouts
There are a boardwalks with some lookout points beside the Point Addis main car park at the end of Point Addis Road.
450m back along Point Addis Road there is a carpark beside the road and a lookout point above Addiscot Beach.
There is also a lookout point off the Yirripa Yan trail to Ironbark Basin carpark (2km from the path to Addiscot Beach).
Local heroes remembered
On the morning of 11 December 1944, a RAAF Mitchell bomber with five crew on board crashed into the sea off Point Addis. The plane was executing low level practice runs when a fire on board forced it down.
The crash was witnessed by Joyce Graham at the Loveridge Lookout Volunteer Air Observer Corp (VAOC) post at Anglesea. She alerted authorities in Geelong and contacted fisherman Syd Morrow and together they braved high seas with a fishing boat in a long but unsuccessful search for survivors. Marion Borrett held her post at the VAOC observation point in Anglesea while communicating with control.
At Torquay, a Mrs White of the VAOC observed the crash and alerted fishermen Alan Smith and Will Thompson who immediately took to sea. In hostile conditions about nine miles out and guided by a RAAF search plane, they located two survivors floating in a rubber dinghy. They were then taken back to Torquay and onto hospital in Geelong.
An extensive but ultimately unsuccessful search for the other three crew members was undertaken during the afternoon and evening by the RAAF and a fleet of local boats.
This story proudly recognises the largely unheralded role played by local citizens in this rescue. The names of Graham, Morrow, Borrett, White, Smith and Thompson and many local citizens are now acknowledged for their selfless contribution to the search and rescue effort.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Trails
Yirripa Yan - Wadawurrung Cultural Walk
Grade 3: Well-formed track with steep sections and steps.
Distance: 3.7km one way, 1.5 hrs; 2km shorter loop, 30 minutes
Explore this trail to learn about the Wadawurrung People’s ongoing culture and connection to this area of the Otways. This trail forms part of the larger Surf Coast Walk, offered as a shorter 2km return walk accessed via Point Addis Day Visitor Area, or a longer one-way track between Ironbark Basin and Point Addis Day Visitor Area.
Point Addis to Anglesea (part of the Surf Coast Walk)
Grade 3: Well-formed track with steep sections and steps.
Distance: 7.3km one way, 1.5 hrs
This walk is part of the iconic 44km Surf Coast Walk that stretches from Torquay to Fairhaven. Walk along the rugged and dynamic Red Rocks Beach then up along the cliffs towards Anglesea. Discover the beautiful coastal scenery from the stunted windswept scrub, stunning views of Point Addis and the Anglesea township, and out to Bass Strait.
Addiscot Beach
Grade 3: Well-formed track with steep sections and steps.
Distance: 700m one way
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Victoria for this beach. Addiscot Lookout steps lead down to the breathtaking Addiscot Beach, a 1.8km sandy bay bordered by towering sandstone cliffs.
Clothing optional beach: Please note that a clothing-optional bathing area exists 1.8km east of the beach access steps.
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Location
325 Point Addis Road, Bells Beach 3228 View Map
