Lorne (including Angahook-Lorne State Park, Wye River and Kennett River)
Important holiday destination on the Great Ocean Road
Long renowned for its natural scenic values, Lorne is a highly pleasant and very fashionable seaside resort which straggles around several kilometres of fine coastline at Louttit Bay. Lorne is situated about the estuary of the Erskine River and on the Great Ocean Road, 140 km south-west of Melbourne and 29 km from Anglesea. Rearing up behind Lorne are the eucalypt-clad slopes of the Otway Ranges which literally reach to the sea. They are an element of the scenic and leafy Angahook-Lorne State Park which spans the hinterland from Aireys Inlet to the settlement of Kennett River.

Lorne's popularity in summer can mean booked-out accommodation and traffic jams although it is fairly quiet outside of the silly season and, despite the hordes, it retains a certain charm, owing in part to some fine old buildings. The sidewalk cafes, eating houses and boutiques of Mountjoy Parade, along with the ocean setting, lend the town something of a Mediterranean air. The fine golf course in Holiday Rd overlooks the town and the pier is a popular fishing spot in an area noted for its snapper, garfish, salmon, trevally, couta, whiting, barracuda, trout and bream. The current population is about 1200.

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Kolakngat Aborigines. A Captain Louttit, who conveyed wool from Portland to Melbourne, sought shelter in the bay that now bears his name in 1841 while supervising the retrieval of cargo from a shipwreck. This part of the coast was surveyed in 1846. That same year, Captain Louttit returned as master of the 'Apollo'. He had the names Apollo Bay and Louttit Bay registered.

The first European settler was William Lindsay who was issued a timber-cutting licence in 1849. His two young sons were killed when a sand tunnel collapsed and their graves can still be seen, not far from the suspension footbridge which leads from the Great Ocean Road across the Erskine River to the main beach.

Others were attracted by the vast timber reserves of the Otway Ranges. Tramlines and sawmills later emerged in the local forests. The timber was relayed to Geelong and Melbourne via ocean-going craft which beached on the coastline at Lorne. The telegraph arrived in 1859.

Lorne was also the site of at least five shipwrecks in this period - the 'Osprey' (1854), the 'Rebel' (1855), the 'Otway' (1862), the Anne' (1863) and the 'Henry' (1878).

The Mountjoy brothers arrived in 1864. They commenced farming, built a two-roomed dwelling in 1865 then converted it into the Temperance Hotel in 1868 (now Erskine House). Other rural properties were established and a townsite was surveyed in 1869. The township was laid out in 1871 and it was named after the Marquis of Lorne from Argyleshire in Scotland on the occasion of his marriage to one of Queen Victoria's daughters.

The Deans Marsh-Lorne track was surveyed in 1872 and the first post office was established at Erskine House in 1874. The Lorne Hotel (later rebuilt after a fire) was established in 1876, the construction of Lorne Pier commenced in 1876 and the school and the Grand Pacific Hotel opened in 1879. They are all standing and in operation today.

Both Cobb & Co and the Mountjoys began operating overland coach services to Winchelsea in 1879 when the railway arrived there. Lorne acquired something of a reputation as an attractive and rather exclusive holiday spot but the six-hour journey from Winchelsea inhibited the spread of enthusiasm.

The town's first church services were held at Erskine House in 1879. All Saints Church of England was built in 1880 (it was moved to the present site in 1884) and sea baths were established on the main beach the following year when the population was recorded as 149.

In 1891 the town and area were visited by Rudyard Kipling who was inspired to write the poem 'Flowers' which includes the lines: "Buy my hot-wood clematis,/ Buy a frond of fern,/ Gathered where the Erskine leaps/ Down the road to Lorne".

After World War I, the Great Ocean Road was carved out of the coastline. It was initially conceived as a memorial to those who had fought in the First World War and all road builders were ex-servicemen. The section as far as Lorne was opened in 1922, although the Great Ocean Road was not completed in its entirety until 1933. It greatly facilitated access to Lorne which had hitherto been approached from the interior. The first passenger service from Geelong to Lorne was established in 1924 and guesthouses began to appear in the 1930s. The fishing industry was also established on a small scale at Lorne in 1936 but it expanded considerably in the 1940s. The Ash Wednesday bushfires swept through the district in 1983, destroying 76 houses.

New Year's Eve is an activity-filled day of the calendar at Lorne. The Mountain to Surf Swim is held on the first Friday evening in January and several thousand swimmers participate in the Pier to Pub Swim on the following day. The Summer Fair falls on a Saturday late in January and the Great Otway Classic Foot Race is held on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June. It terminates at Lorne. Fair on the Foreshore occurs on the first weekend in November.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The Lorne Visitor Information Centre is located at 144 Mountjoy Pde (a portion of the Great Ocean Rd), tel: (03) 5289 1152. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekdays and to 5.00 p.m. on weekends and it can furnish maps and information relating to the area and its scenic attractions and many bushwalks.

Beaches and Foreshore Reserve
Backed by venerable pine trees, the fine sandy beaches of Lorne are, of course, one of its major attractions. The main beach is noted for its surfing potential (particularly at the northern end) and surf fishing is popular and rewarding. A surf lifesaving club operates on the main beach in summer and you can hire surfboards, wetsuits and boogie boards from the Lorne Surf Shop at 130 Mountjoy Parade, tel: (03) 5289 1673. The southern end of Louttit Bay is more sheltered and well-suited to family bathing.

The Foreshore Reserve, adjacent Mountjoy Parade, is a pleasant recreation area overlooking the ocean. There is a picnic area, a playground, barbecue facilities and a pool. Paddleboats for exploring the mouth of the Erskine River are available in summer.

There is a jetty and boat ramp at the southern end of town, adjacent Point Grey and Shelly Beach is slightly further south.

The Shipwreck Walk is an easy-going one hour stroll along the coastline, taking in a series of plaques which denote the shipwrecks which have occurred along the coast (for details enquire at the information centre).

There are fine beaches further south at Wye River and Kennett River which are both patrolled in summer. There are caravan parks at both locations which also offer fishing and bushwalking opportunities.

Buildings
St Cuthbert's Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church, at 86 Mountjoy Parade (by the corner of Grove Rd), is a weatherboard church with an asymmetrical tower which follows an essentially Classical design. The initial construction was carried out in 1892 by Scottish cabinet-maker and builder Andrew Sanger who added the transepts in 1911 and the vestry in 1918. The interior is carefully executed.

Directly adjacent the beach, on Mountjoy Parade, is Erskine House which started its life as a two-roomed domicile for early settlers the Mountjoy brothers in 1865. They converted it into the Temperance Hotel in 1868. Lorne's first post office was established here in 1874 and the first church services were held here in 1879. It was bought by the state government in 1973. Erskine House is surrounded by 6 ha of manicured lawns and gardens and now operates as an accommodation centre with lawn bowls, croquet, tennis courts and a putting green. Rudyard Kipling stayed here in 1891.

All Saints Church of England was built in 1880 (it was moved to its present site at 190 Mountjoy Parade in 1884) and work commenced on the post office in 1889. The latter is at 152 Mountjoy Parade.

The Pacific Hotel/Motel at 268 Mountjoy Parade was built of 300 000 locally-made bricks in 1879 as the Grand Pacific Hotel. It is situated at the tip of Point Grey and thus faces out onto the sea by the jetty.

Teddy's Lookout
Teddy's Lookout lies at the end of George St, at the town's southern outskirts (it is signposted off the main street). Named after a ranger who went there to round up stray cattle, it offers fine views over the town and coastline. The rotunda dates from the 1880s. The fit may wish to undertake the walk from the town to the lookout (for details enquire at the information centre).

Lorne Historical Museum
The Lorne Historical Society Museum is located at the corner of Otway St and the Great Ocean Road. It displays memorabilia and photographs relating to the construction of the Great Ocean Road and to local history. It is open Sundays from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5289 1152.

QDOS Contemporary Art Gallery
Just 1 km along the Allenvale Rd, at no.35, is QDOS which serves as a contemporary art exhibition space, sculpture garden and function centre with a cafe/bar. In summer it is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) and, in winter, it is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Friday to Monday, tel: (03) 5289 1989.

The Angahook-Lorne State Park
The Angahook-Lorne State Park covers 22 000 ha of coastline (from Aireys Inlet to Kennett River) and mountainous hinterland. It incorporates the Otway Ranges and is characterised by cliffs, coves, sandy beaches and rock platforms. Between the ridges are deep valleys and gullies carved by the Erskine, Cumberland, Kalimna and St George Rivers and a plenitude of streams.

Vegetation ranges from dry heathland to cool temperate rainforest. Messmate, blue gum, mountain grey gum and mountain ash predominate while the wetter areas feature an understorey of blackwood, tree ferns, satinwood, blanket-leaf and musk daisy-bush. There is a plenitude of fauna including 170 bird species, such as the rare crested penguin and peregrine falcon, along with (mostly nocturnal) marsupials such as eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, marsupial mice, echidnas, ringtail and brushtail possums and bandicoots. In summer the park tends to be somewhat cooler than average and very pleasant.

There are several bush camping locations which have no facilities and require no bookings. One is the Allenvale Mill site which is a short distance along Allenvale Road. From this site you can walk north along Saint George River to Phantom Falls (2.5 km return). About 2.5 km along Allenvale Rd there is a turnoff on the right into Sharps Track and it is just one kilometre to another campsite. There are two more campsites just off the Great Ocean Road to the south-west of Lorne (turn right 11 km south of Lorne onto Jamieson Track or turn right onto the Wye River Road 14 km south of Lorne). 10 km north of Lorne along the Deans Marsh Road the Big Hill Track heads off to the right. There is a further campsite a very short distance along this track.

There are two major picnic areas in the Lorne section of the park. 4 km along Allenvale Rd is the Sheoak Picnic Area. There are barbecue facilities, toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and drinking water. Another, the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground, is 7 km along Erskine Falls Rd which runs off William St. There are fireplaces, picnic tables, toilets, drinking water and information boards. Numerous walking tracks depart from these two sites, and from the Great Ocean Road and Erskine Falls carpark. Information on these walks and on the park's many waterfalls are outlined in a separate section below.

The creeks, beaches and rock platforms offer fine fishing opportunities. Horseriding, cycling and mountain bike riding are forbidden on walking tracks and not recommended on the narrow, winding, busy Great Ocean Road but all can be pursued on minor roads.

Note that the park is very wet in winter and early spring and road conditions can be dangerous. Many roads in the park are 4WD only and are completely closed from July to October. The best time for driving is November to May. A recommended route (73 km) takes in some outstanding coastal scenery, tall mountain forest, a walk along the Grey River and Erskine Falls. From Lorne head south-west along the Great Ocean Road to Kennett River (22 km) then turn right onto the Grey River Road (19 km unsealed). This leads past the Grey River Picnic Area, where there are walking tracks, reaching a T-intersection with the Benwerrin-Mt Sabine Rd which runs along the spine of the Otway Ranges. Turn right and follow this road for 20 km then turn right onto the Erskine Falls Rd and it is 12 km back to Lorne.

Maps and pamphlets are available from Parks Victoria (tel: 131 963) and the Lorne Information Centre.

4 km along Erskine Falls Rd are Erskine Falls Cottages where accommodation, gifts and coffee are available. You can also stop to feed the parrots, tel: (03) 5289 2666.

Walking Tracks in Angahook-Lorne State Park
There are about many kilometres of walking tracks in the park. The Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (10 km return) starts at the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground. It passes through fern gullies and rocky gorges past an overnight campsite to Cora Lynn Cascades (about 2 km from the picnic area). The next section (from the Cascades to the Cora Lynn carpark) is very difficult and only for experienced walkers. From the carpark the track continues on to Phantom Falls intersecting with Allenvale Road at the Allenvale Mill campsite. From here you can walk east along Allenvale Road then turn left onto the Green Break Track which eventually joins up with Erskine Falls Road which leads back to the picnic area. Another option is to follow Saint George River from the Allenvale Mill site to the coast.

2 km beyond the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground (9 km north-west of Lorne) is the Erskine Falls carpark which is the start of the Erskine Falls Walk (7.5 km one-way), which runs roughly parallel to the Erskine Falls Road, all the way back to Lorne. It is just 50 metres to Erskine Falls which tumble 30 metres into the tree fern gully below. There is a viewing platform atop the falls and a series of steps lead down to the base. Another 500 m will take you to Straw Falls and it is a further 1.3 km to Splitters Falls. This section of the walk should not be attempted when water levels are high.

The Sheoak Picnic Area is the starting point for the easy-going Kalimna Falls Loop Walk (8 km return) which follows the route of an old timber tramline (some of the log sleepers can still be seen) west along Sheoak Creek, first to the Lower Kalimna Falls then on to the dense tree ferns around the Upper Kalimna Falls. Return towards the Lower Falls but take the track to the right before you reach the Lower Falls. It joins up with Garveys Track which will return you to the Picnic Area.

The Sheoak Falls Walk (7 km return) heads south-east from the Sheoak Picnic Area along Sheoak Creek to Swallow Cave (where swallows nest in the rock crevices in spring) and on for another 400 m to the 15-metre Sheoak Falls (this section of the walk should not be attempted when water levels are high). Return a very short distance towards Swallow Cave then branch off to the left along the Sheoak/Castle Rock Track. After about 1.3 km there is a track junction. Turn left to Castle Rock where there is a lookout then return to the junction. Keep to the left, following the Sheoak Track north to Garveys Track which leads back to the Picnic Area.

The Phantom Falls Walk (8.6 km return) heads north-west from the Sheoak Picnic Area to Won Wondah Falls then on to Henderson Falls. From the latter, return a short distance to the track junction, keeping to the left as the track veers north, passing between the eight metre walls of The Canyon and on to Phantom Falls. From the falls follow Saint George River to the Allenvale Mill site then walk along Allenvale Road back to the Picnic Area.

About 3 km south of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road there is a carpark with an information board on the right-hand side of the road. A walking track leads to Sheoak Falls (800 m) and it is another 400 metres to Swallow Cave.

About 6 km south of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road is a picnic area at the mouth of the Cumberland River. You can take the Cumberland Falls Walk (9 km return) by following the river for about 3 km past some excellent clifftop scenery to the Cumberland Cascades (not to be attempted when the river level is high). Return the way you came for nearly 1 km but then take the track on the left which follows a ridge north to Garveys Track. Turn right onto the latter but turn right again almost immediately onto the Sheoak Track to Castle Rock. From Castle Rock return along the track for a couple of hundred metres to the track junction and turn right. The track leads to Sheoak Falls then on to the Great Ocean Road carpark which can be followed back to the Cumberland River Reserve.

Cinema Point and Other Lookouts on the Great Ocean Road
Cinema Point, which is located about 10 km north-east of Lorne, is the highest point on the Great Ocean Road and it has what are arguably the finest views along that coastal route. The descent to Lorne begins from this point. A few kilometres further south is the Cathedral Rocks Lookout.

Mt Defiance Lookout is 9 km south of Lorne and there are lookouts at Wye River (17 km south) and at Cape Patton (27 km south).

Carisbrook Falls
29 km south-west of Lorne, on the Great Ocean Road, is a signposted turnoff on the right to the Carisbrook Falls carpark beside the Carisbrook Creek bridge. A 1-km return walk leads to the falls which are the highest in the Otway Ranges.

Gentle Annie Tea Barn and Pick-Your-Own Berry Farm
Deans Marsh, 23 km north of Lorne, has a general store. The Gentle Annie Tea Barn and Pick-Your-Own Berry Farm is located at 520 Pennyroyal Valley Rd at Pennyroyal, 4 km south-west of Deans Marsh. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily from November to April. They offer farmstay accommodation, home-made preserves, rainbow trout fishing, Devonshire teas, country lunches and country wines, tel: (03) 5236 3391

Tours
Tours of Lorne and the Great Ocean Road are available from Otwild Adventures (03 5236 2119), Otway Ocean Tours (03 5244 0944), Last Chance Tours (03 5237 7413), Angahook Tours (03 5241 3997), Paddle with the Platypus (03 5236 2119), Natural Treasures (03 9399 1797), Sunroad Tours (03 5237 6080), Kalinda Personalized Tours (03 5267 2581) and Eco-Logic (03 5263 1133).

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	Tourist Information
	Lorne Visitor Information Centre 144 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1152
	Motels
	Anchorage Motel 32 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1891 Rating: **
	Kalimna Motel Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1407 Rating: ***
	Ocean Lodge Motel 6 Armytage St Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1330 Rating: **
	Sandridge Motel Cnr Mountjoy Pde & William St Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2180 Rating: ***
	Lorne Coachman Inn 1 Deans Marchs Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2244 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Grand Pacific Hotel 268 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1609
	Lorne Hotel Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1409 Rating: **
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Chalet Lorne Guesthouse 4 Smith St Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1241 Rating: ***
	Erskine House Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1209 Rating: ***
	Grazi's Bed & Breakfast 22 Great Ocean Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2422 Email: grazi@iprimus.com.au Rating: **
	Stanmorr Bed & Breakfast Cnr William & Otway Sts Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1530 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Bay View Villas Holiday Apartments 7 William Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1504 Rating: ***
	Cumberland Lorne Resort Service Apartments 150 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2400 Rating: ****
	Grand Pacific Hotel - Apartments 268 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1609
	Tarong Apartments Gwynne Ave Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: 0418 321 424 Email: tareeda@bigfoot.com
	Yurara Holiday Apartments 3 Doble St Lorne VIC 3232 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Allenvale Cottage Allenvale Rd Allenvale Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1450 Rating: ***
	Babingtons Cabins 19 Colac Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1760 Rating: *
	Erskine Falls Cottages Cora-Lynn Court P.O. Box 8 Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2666 Facsimile: (03) 5289 2247 Rating: ***
	Great Ocean Road Cottages Erskine Ave P.O. Box 60 Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1070 Rating: ***
	Lemonade Creek Cottages Lorne 690 Erskine Falls Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2600 or (03) 5289 2755 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Lorne Foreshore Reserves P.O. Box 11 Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1382 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Chalet Lorne Guesthouse 4 Smith St Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1241
	Cumberland Lorne Resort Service Apartments 150 Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2400
	Erskine House Mountjoy Pde P.O. Box 20 Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1209
	Kalimna Motel Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1407
	Kosta's Taverna Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1883
	Lorne Hotel Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1409
	Reifs Restaurant & Bar Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2366
	Sandridge Motel Cnr Mountjoy Pde & William St Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2180
	Seaside Palace Chinese Restaurant Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2330
	The Lorne Oven House Restaurant Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2544
	The Pier Seafood Restaurant Lorne Pier Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1119
	Cafés
	Arab Expresso Bar Mountjoy Pde Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 1435
	Grazi's Bed & Breakfast 22 Great Ocean Rd Lorne VIC 3232 Telephone: (03) 5289 2422 Email: grazi@iprimus.com.au