The shipwreck coastal village of Lorne, located two hours drive from Melbourne, recreates itself each season, in summer it is the centre of sport and leisure - a busy beach resort pulsating with a sense of excitement and the style of European cafe society - in winter the town reverts to its village past with a relaxed atmosphere ideal for romantic bushland retreats.

Set on the Great Ocean Road, surrounded by the beach, forests and the beautiful Otway Ranges, Lorne's charm lies in its close association with both the sea and the mountain and its spectacular scenery. Lorne was the first area in Victoria to be declared as having 'Natural Beauty and Special Significance' by the Victorian Government and its long white beaches overlooked by the Otway Ranges have long been a favourite resort, its protected beauty drawing visitors for generations.

Natural Attractions

The beauty of Lorne is easily explored by car or by foot. Only minutes away from the centre of Lorne are superb waterfalls and cascades and a variety of breathtaking sights. Lorne is the ideal starting place to enjoy the magnificent Great Ocean Road and a base from which to explore the hidden beauty of the Otway Ranges with its extraordinary forests, waterfalls and cascades.

Erskine Falls are the most well known and popular of Lorne's hinterland sights and offer a magnificent 8km drive or walk along scenic forested hills. By foot along the Erskine River track it takes three hours one way and for bushwalking enthusiasts there are longer walks which tour the 15 metre Phantom Falls. There are a variety of spectacular sights including a magnificent rock canyon with 10 metre walls as well as the Henderson Falls and stunning fern gullies to explore.

Other sights include those of the Lower Kalimna Falls formed by water cascading from a rock shelf jutting above a rock pool, here visitors can experience the wonderful sensation of walking behind the plunging roaring cascades.

Another scenic attraction is that of the tall timbers in Angahook-Lorne State Park. The Park stretches from Aireys Inlet to Kennett River and there are more than 50km of maintained walking tracks in the Lorne section of the Park alone. The Forest clings to the coastal fringe for almost all of its entire length and offers outstanding views. There are a number of walking trails to explore within the Park including the trails of the old timber tramways and trails which were among the first tourist development in the State - bushwalking tracks built last century.

The elegant sweep of Lorne's sandy beaches are also a sensory delight, the charm of Louttit Bay with its landscaped foreshore, parks, tennis courts, bowling greens and swimming pools.

The natural beauty of the district also offers many other wonderful activities including fishing, wildlife spotting, bush tours, horse riding, abseiling and many places to enjoy delightful picnics.

Historical Attractions

Walks along the streets of Lorne show a rich and interesting heritage, magnificent churches, public buildings and homes reveal the past and the spirit of early settlement and development.

Throughout the village memorial plaques tell of ships which came to grief off this rugged section of the shipwreck coast and there are many old sea stories to hear.

Attractions

Lorne is renowned for its range of excellent accommodation and dining as well as its setting, there is a vast choice catering to all tastes and budgets and a range of recreational facilities to enjoy.

Events

Lorne hosts Australia's largest blue water swimming event the annual Lorne Pier to Pub Swim Classic. This event sees around 2500 swimmers aged from 12-75 take to the water in support of the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club and is a major attraction each year.

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