Things to do in Lorne, Victoria

What to do in Lorne, Victoria? Well, the best things to do in Lorne include rainforest walks around Erskine Falls and the Great Ocean Road National Heritage Centre. Other Lorne attractions include surfing lessons on the beach and swimming at the Lorne Sea Baths.

The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is not exactly short of adorable beach towns, but Lorne is probably the most popular of the lot. This is partly because there’s a decent smattering of accommodation, but mainly because the town looks gorgeous. Luckily, there are also plenty of things to do in Lorne.

Things to do in Lorne, Victoria: Surfing lessons & Lorne Sea Baths

The Great Ocean Road favourite offers a long sweeping beach, backed by lush rainforest. Lorne Beach is a good place to learn to surf, with generally gentle waves. Go Ride A Wave offers two hour surfing lessons in Lorne for $75. Even total beginners should be able to stand on the board by the end of their Great Ocean Road surfing lesson.

If red flags are on the beach preventing swimming, then divert to the Lorne Sea Baths. This 33 metre long, open-air freshwater pool comes as part of a complex that also offers trampolines, mini golf and bumper boats. On a more relaxing level, massages, yoga sessions, hydrotherapy and salt therapy are also available at the Lorne Sea Baths.

If a little Lorne history is of interest, then the Great Ocean Road National Heritage Centre tells the story of Australia’s favourite drive. Unusually, this wasn’t just a bit of marketing pizzazz slapped onto existing roads. The Great Ocean Road was built around the clifftops of southern Victoria partly as a 1930s. It was partly a make-work scheme, and partly a war memorial to those who had died in the First World War.

Lorne is a good place to eat, too. Top Lorne restaurants include Ipsos and Movida.

7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.

Things to do in Lorne, Victoria: Lorne rainforest walks

But Lorne’s great strength is the rainforest hinterland behind it. There are dozens of walking trails in the Great Otway National Park to tackle – some short ten minute affairs, some strenuous treks from waterfalls that can take the best part of a day.

Should you be feeling lazy or short of time, it’s possible to drive up close to many of these Lorne waterfalls. There’s a car park at Erskine Falls at the end of the Erskine Falls Road, for example.

And, if all you want is a classic Great Ocean Road photo stop, Teddy’s Lookout to the south of the town provides the perfect view.

Lorne makes a logical overnight stop on road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road. Arrive there from Anglesea, where you can spot kangaroos on the golf course. TV fans can also visit the Round The Twist lighthouse at Aireys Inlet. After Lorne, go west for koala-spotting at Kennett River the next morning.

More things to do in Victoria

Try a husky dog tour at Mount Baw Baw.

Visit Trentham Falls on the Coliban River near Daylesford.

Go walking at Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island.

Choose from a menu of 101 parmas at the Shamrock Hotel in Echuca.

See Loch Ard Gorge near Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road.