I had heard about how special Point Addis was from a friend who lived in Geelong, she visited it often for a recharge. The 'specialness' she spoke of was not only for its obvious rugged beauty but also for its feeling of remoteness. For a place not far from the hustle and bustle of busy Torquay it's feeling of remoteness is much appreciated.
It was a place described to me as one where bush meets the ocean, where you unwind and relax, and if it took your fancy, splash in the calm waters behind the break.
Most importantly for her, it was a place of solitude and reflection. For some reason it was a hidden gem, I'd not heard about it prior to this, it seems only known to locals, or those that heard from word of mouth. That's where I came in.
For years I had it on my list of 'I must visit one day' but for one reason or another it evaded me: until recently. On a hot summer day our paths finally crossed, and suffice to say, I wasn't disappointed.
This is a very special place on Wadawurrung country, and like all places in nature I visit on country, I can't help but think about the many thousands of years First Nations have lived respectfully and sustainably here with nature. Where I step, First Nations have also stepped. Ideally, it's something all of us should consider when we're in nature.
So, what makes this place special? Well, there's the obvious captivating waves that roll in from the south, consistent and powerful, their energy smashing over fallen cliff rocks below towering cliffs carved from thousands of years of relentless waves. That was my initial experience of the place, perched upon the convenient bird's eye view from the lookout. The combination of dramatic cliff face and rolling waves was mesmerizing, captivating me with their hypnotic allure. I succumbed willingly. It just felt nice to pause, to get lost in the beauty of it all as a warm summer gust tried its best to push my body around, just another reminder of the power of nature that's often forgotten.
I wanted more than just a look out experience, so I walked down the track to the long sandy beach to explore. Here you see ocean creatures going about their business, mussels clinging to rocks in the safety of the intertidal zone and marine birds fussing and feeding while the sun is high. There's a long stretch of uninterrupted sandy beach perfect for a slow meander while the sound of waves crashing reminds you of your place.
I took a moment to pause and sat on a rock, closed my eyes, and listened. It's something I like to do in nature, to shut off my sight for a few moments and try to separate all the many noises that exist in nature. Here at this special spot, the country has the loudest voice, you can't hear human presence, just nature.
I thought about the cyclic nature of a beach, how each day starts fresh with the slate cleaned overnight by incoming tide. Where new sand is laid, covering footsteps from the previous day. I couldn't help but think how it was a perfect metaphor for how we can treat every new day as a fresh start, a chance to improve on the previous day.
Like grains of sand that come and go, my time at this special place had come to an end. I hiked back up the track past magnificent indigenous flora, with butterflies and bees busying themselves over spectacular melaleuca flowers. The place was a hive of natural activity, it felt healthy and vibrant, a stark contrast to some of the city beaches I'd recently visited.
If you get the chance, I recommend a visit to Point Addis. Take in the view from the look out, from there meander down the tracks to the west and then back track east down to the long sandy beach and take a purposefully slow stroll for as long as you can. Explore the Koorie Culture trail where you can view the ocean from the native bush, which is always a special experience. At some point, if you desire, pause, close those eyes for a minute or two. Listen to nature, she does speak, it's up to us if we're willing to listen.
I will make Point Addis a place to visit whenever I'm in the area or heading past. Like a lot of places in nature, this is a place to refresh and recharge while admiring the magnificence of nature.
By Rohan from the Design team at Parks Victoria
