Lorne is one of the chief towns along the famous Great Ocean Road. Set between Torquay and Apollo Bay, it’s a beach town through and through and the Great Ocean Road brushes right along its coast. A tiny, family-friendly place of just a thousand inhabitants, this number swells massively with holidaymakers in the summer.
Backed by hills and forests, it is one of the more relaxing towns and has a touch of class, to boot, with its friendly arts community and knowledgeable locals. The beach hugs the town and is very close at hand, with sunbathing and swimming main pastimes.
There’s a good deal of natural attractions in the area, too, with Erskine Falls Road taking you to these angelic waterfalls. They are worth seeing any time and, naturally, there is some great walking and scenery. Hoofing the Kalimna Falls Trail is a must for walkers, plus the Great Otway National Park is within reach, or just do Teddy’s Lookout. The beach itself has fair walking, being a good three-kilometre stretch.
It is easy to spend time in this town as it has a lot going for it. There are a number of excellent bakeries and restaurants, along with a fun shopping strip with crafts, boutiques and picnicking. There is also a pier where fishermen frequently snag trevally.
Other reasons for a visit to Lorne: the Falls Festival on New Year’s Eve, which attracts big-name acts on occasions; the Pier to Pub swim and Lorne Surf Race for other local events; or checkout one of the many artsy events through the year, like Qdos Arts.
Getting in is best done via the Great Ocean Road. It’s about two hours by car from Melbourne, or an hour from Geelong. Though the famous road only starts in Torquay, it is nonetheless a nice journey.
Lorne Accommodation
Anchorage Motel & Villas Lorne
From $107
Mantra Lorne
From $116
Lorne Bush House Cottages & Eco Retreats
From $117
Chatby Lane Lorne
From $125
Phoenix Apartments Lorne
From $177
Cumberland Lorne Resort
From $178
Lorne Ocean Sun Apartments
From $196
Lornebeach Apartments
From $244
Pierview Apartments
From $260
Qdos
From $281
Lorne Beachfront Accommodation
From $316
Apartment 26 Kalimna - All Ocean Views
From $563
Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
From $39
Lorne Coachman Inn
From $94
The Sandridge Motel
From $122
Lorne World
From $143
Great Ocean Road Cottages
From $181
Lorne Hotel Lorne
From $181
Loutit Views
From $252
Lorne Luxury
From $386
Map of Lorne, Great Ocean Road
