Lorne Beach, Victoria: Is it safe for swimming & can I learn to surf?

Lorne Beach is one of the most popular in Victoria. It is patrolled by lifeguards, and generally reasonably safe for swimming. You can also take surfing lessons there.

Lorne Beach is what the tourist industry in Lorne, Victoria, has grown-up around. The most popular town on the Great Ocean Road has plenty of other attractions these days, including a buzzing food scene typified by Movida Lorne and Ipsos.

There are also fabulous walks in the Great Otway National Park to the likes of Sheoak Falls and Erskine Falls, plus top notch views from Teddy’s Lookout. But Lorne is really a surf town at heart.

3 great experiences to try in Lorne

Learn to surf – with a beginner’s surfing lesson at Lorne Beach.
Swing, clamber and balance through the tree tops – on the Live Wire Park super circuit.
Travel through the trees at 40km/h – on the Shockwave Zip Coaster.

Lorne Beach at low tide. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Is it safe to swim at Lorne Beach?

There are other beaches in and around Lorne, but Lorne Beach (aka the Lorne Surf Beach) is the only one patrolled by lifeguards. Stick to swimming between the red and yellow flags and you should be just fine. The southern area of the beach is generally safest for swimming, hence the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club is based there.

Lorne Beach is about 1.2km long, stretching from the mouth of the Erskine River to the rocks leading towards Point Grey.

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.

Lorne Beach surfing lessons

The protection offered by Point Grey stops the ocean getting too hairy at Lorne Beach. This also makes it an ideal spot for beginner surfers. The low, rolling waves tend to be about a metre high.

Should you decide that Lorne is the perfect place to learn to surf, then you’re in luck. The Go Ride A Wave surf school offers two hour lessons. Surfboards and wetsuits are provided, and the lesson costs $75 for adults. Most people will be standing on the board, albeit temporarily, while riding a wave by the end of the lesson. These Lorne surfing lessons should be booked via the Go Ride A Wave website.

Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne

For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.

Best places to stay in Lorne

The top Lorne accommodation options are:

For overall quality: Cumberland Lorne Resort.
For adults-only apartments with spa baths: Lorne Surf Apartments.
On a budget: Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park.
For an affordable, good quality motel: Lorne Anchorage Motel and Villas.

More Great Ocean Road beaches