At Cape Otway, the calcarenite capped sandstone cape reaches 70 m in height and sheer cliffs form the coastline. The lighthouse was constructed in 1848 and stands right on the point, 91 m above sea level. The cliffs slope gradually away to the east. In the first 2 km there are three pockets of sand at the base of the cliffs. The Cape Otway Lighthouse Road runs along the top of the bluffs, however there is no safe access down the bluffs to the beaches. All three face south and are exposed to waves averaging 1 to 1.5 m. Rocks and reefs dominate each beach, however there is also sufficient sand to produce a small surf zone and permanent rips. Kelp Cove is just 40 m long, with a 100 m wide surf zone containing a permanent rip against the eastern Red Point. Shelly Beach is similar, but with more reef in the surf. Otway Cove is 600 m east of Cape Otway. It is a 50 m long beach, which has a large cavern cut into the backing calcarenite. The 100 m wide surf zone contains both rocks and a permanent rip. read more

Beach Length: 0.04km