Lorne has an array of great walking and cycling tracks where you can see many of the natural wonders this beautiful town has to offer. A favourite is a walk across the Eskine River to Teddy’s Lookout at the Geelong end of the town. Here you walk through some spectacular forests with magnificent views of the Great Ocean Road.
Erskine Falls is another popular location for visitors. This magnificent waterfall drops some 30 metres into a magnificent valley lined with ancient tree ferns. It is quiet spectacular. The fine mist is very refreshing on a warm day.
Sheoak Falls is another beautiful waterfall which is also close to Lorne being a few kilometres further down the coastal road towards Apollo Bay. The falls cascade about 15 metres into the Sheoak River and are also close to the Swallow Cave which is a huge nesting ground for these birds.
Many people wanting a interesting but mainly flat bush walk try the Saint George River trial which follows the river to the coast. There are some magnificent fern lined gullies, tall timber and plenty of wildlife to see along the way.
For some of the freshest seafood you have ever tasted head to the Lorne Pier, the fresh fish shop has plenty of tasty morsels including the much sought after crayfish which are just so delicious. But if you want to try your own hand at hooking a catch there are plenty of good places both off the beach out in Loutit’s Bay. For those after some inland fishing trout are a popular catch in many of the streams just out of town. Make sure you follow the regulations so that there are plenty of fish for everyone.
For a bite to eat or relaxing time knocking down a couple of pots Lorne has plenty of great options with a very cosmopolitan cafe’s and restaurant scene. The Lorne Hotel has a huge roof top beer garden and offers great views across the bay and along the Mount Joy Parade strip. The Greek Kosta’s Tavena has been a lively venue for food and fun for years while some of the new places like the Aqua restaurant and Bar, Ba Ba Lu Bar, B Bar & Grill are only a few of the places offering great food in Lorne. There is so much great choice and many have alfresco options so you can enjoy the sea breezes.
The famous Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club is one of Australia’s oldest and most admired and date back to before the Second World War. They patrol the main beach at Lorne and also organise Lorne’s biggest event the Pier to Pub swim every January and the Lorne to Mountain Surf Run. The Lorne foreshore has great facilities, with plenty of picnic tables and barbeques on the large grass area between the sand and MountJoy Parade. The beach protected in a half moon bay offers more gentle waves than the open ocean and is ideal for boogie boards, swimming and kayaking.
For those wanting to surf, well Lorne is the place for you there are several operators who teach surfing including the Southern Exposure Surf School. You will need to be fitted out too, well MountJoy Parade has a few great surf shops with wetties, boards and plenty of great surf fashion.
