One of Victoria’s best known, and most popular resort towns nestled between the magnificent Otway ranges and Loutitit Bay. Lorne is one of the most popular destinations along the Great Ocean Road with day trippers from Melbourne and Geelong visiting on weekend drives and exploring the town on longer stays.
Lorne offers everything for the holidaymaker, a whole range of accommodation from the affordable to 5 star luxuries, a great cosmopolitan shopping strip with bars, cafes, restaurants and specialty stores along Mountjoy Parade,. A safe beach is famed for its golden sands and exhilarating rolling surf beaches at its doorstep.
The area is just so beautiful all year round, there is nothing better than relaxing by the the Erskine River kicking back surrounded on three sides by lush forest ranges, and to the south by the spectacular Southern Ocean on the other. It is no wonder why the Victorian Government declared Lorne an area of ’special significance and natural beauty’ over 100 years ago. This beauty is only minutes away from the town centre and can be experienced by taking a short walk through the Lorne-Angahook State Forest.
If walking is not your style then perhaps a bite to eat and drink in one of Lorne’s distinctly Mediterranean feel eating houses and cafes will sure tempt your tastes. Lorne boasts many picnic areas and barbeque facilities as well as a large camping area. The historic Erskine House has recently been transformed into a resort, which along with the Cumberland Resort is very popular with weekend visitors from Melbourne and beyond.
Lorne comes alive in the summer with shoolies week kicking things off late November and early December. Then New Years rocks with some of the worlds best music acts at the Falls Festival which has seen such names as Iggy Pop, The Black Keys and Silverchair to name a few. Over 13000 people turn up for the sell out event each year.
January hosts the annual Lorne Pier to Pub swim which is regarded by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest organized ocean swim event in the world and attracts 4000 competitors and 20,000 spectators. This is 24 times the town’s population of about 1000. Lorne also features various Surf Life Saving competitions and renowned cycle and foot races.
For a great view of the township and bay head to Teddy’s Lookout at the end of George Street. Or just relax in the upper deck beer garden at the pub and watch the day go by- it’s a pretty good way to enjoy Lorne relaxing with a cold beer and some of the regions freshest seafood.
