Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Lorne

By Danielle Norton
hero media
With its laid-back vibe and location along one of Australia’s iconic coastal roads, there are many reasons that Lorne remains a perennial favourite. It’s not hard to see why it came in at no.30 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

A scenic seaside town on the world-famous Great Ocean Road, Lorne has a casual, coastal vibe with an emphasis on soaking up the good life. Whether it’s food, culture or the great outdoors, Lorne’s beachside restaurants, bushwalks and waterfalls will lure you back again and again.

Flowers in front of the ocean in Lorne.

Lorne is incredibly picturesque. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Eating there

Savour views of Louttit Bay and the hinterland from the beer garden at the Lorne Hotel, the beloved 146-year-old pub on the high corner of town. Order a satisfying steak or fish and chips, or dial it up a notch with a spiced lamb shank.

Enjoy seasonal Cantonese and Thai flavours at Coda upstairs. Sydney-based Merivale group has just bought the pub, so foodies have some new restaurants to look forward to. Cafes line the main street to fuel Melburnian coffee addicts.

People sitting on benches drinking at a pub in Lorne.

Not a bad spot for a refreshing drink. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Summer days are made even sweeter with handcrafted ice-creams and sorbets from Gelato Gelato. Feast on local calamari with beetroot tzatziki or a slow-cooked lamb shoulder with garlic labneh at Greek restaurant Ipsos. Save space for the patsavoura, a dessert of orange custard encased in flaky filo pastry served with masticha ice cream.

High shot of Greek food at Ipsos Lorne

Ipsos is a dining institution along the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Staying there

From backpackers, riverside campgrounds and caravan parks, to tiny eco houses, Airbnbs, standard motel accommodation, luxury apartments, tranquil cottages among the gum trees with a peek of an ocean view, and boutique five-star accommodation, Lorne has something for every style of traveller, and every budget.

The Lorne Mantra is the only beachfront property in town. With a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts and an Endota day spa, it’s great for conferences, weddings and larger gatherings.

Ocean House Accommodation Lorne

Stay overlooking the ocean in Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Playing there

You can immerse yourself in nature in Lorne, which is surrounded by the Otways National Park. When not swimming, surfing or fishing, walk to either Sheoak Falls or Erskine Falls. Tall ferns shade paths that lead through gullies and past cascading waterfalls.

Also tucked away in the hinterland is the Qdos fine art gallery, which hosts a rotation of curated exhibitions. The tranquil on-site cafe is bathed in light and looks out onto the forest.

Each year in January, the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club holds the pier to pub ocean swimming race, the largest event of its kind in the world. The 145-kilometre Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride also passes through the town.

The vintage Lorne Theatre plays a combination of blockbuster and arthouse films. Kids will love the town’s imaginative playground, skate park and grassy foreshore area for picnics and playtime. Don’t miss Live Wire Park, home of Australia’s most extreme zipline, high ropes courses and rock-climbing walls.

People walking along ocean pools by Lorne Pier

Lorne Pier is a local attraction. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Explore more of Lorne in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
Danielle Norton is a freelance writer who has travelled since she was an infant. She loves to meet people and immerse herself in the destinations she visits. Her stories bring her readers along for the journey so they can experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the world too.
See all articles
the exterior of The Charred House in Lorne
Lorne

13 of the best Lorne accommodation options to add to your travel list

Find out where to stay on the Great Ocean Road with our guide to the best Lorne accommodation.

Read more
Things to do in Lorne
Lorne

The best things to do in Lorne on your next seaside trip

From zip-lining among gum trees to swimming laps at the historic sea baths, there are plenty of things to do in Lorne on your next trip to the Great Ocean Road.

Read more
a spread of food on the table at The Clam, Lorne
Lorne

Try these Lorne restaurants on your next Great Ocean Road adventure

From wood-fired pizza with knockout ocean views to a cosy, family-run, hatted Greek eatery, there are plenty of superb Lorne restaurants to choose from on your next Great Ocean Road trip.

Read more
outdoor dining at Riverbank Café, Lorne
Lorne

9 Lorne cafes to visit on your next trip to the Great Ocean Road

The next time you’re visiting the Great Ocean Road, be sure to put these Lorne cafes on your hit list.

Read more

6 must-see waterfalls in Lorne

    By Jo Stewart
    hero media
    Continue
    Away from the beach crowds, these Lorne waterfalls fringed by forest-green bushland will make you want to hit the road asap.

    There’s no other feeling quite like hiking through bush terrain to be rewarded by the welcome sight of a natural waterfall emerging from the landscape. The cool, crystalline water truly is a balm to the soul on a warm day. While the popular seaside holiday town may be famous for its beaches, don’t overlook the many Lorne waterfalls waiting to be enjoyed as one of the best things to do in the area.

    1. Henderson Falls

    Framed by ferns, this small waterfall is just 1.5 kilometres from the Sheoak Picnic Area yet doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as some of the other waterfalls in Lorne. What it lacks in scale, it makes up for with access. Stand at the base, close your eyes and soak up the cool, refreshing air coming off the falls.

    2. Sheoak Falls

    people sitting on the side of Sheoak Falls, Lorne

    Sheoak Falls drops down a sheer rock face. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    The relatively short 15-minute walk from the car park makes this one a good waterfall option for people with kids who can’t tackle some of the longer, more rugged trails in the area. Not far off the Great Ocean Road, stop at this waterfall to break up your drive or get a blast of nature and fresh air before continuing your road trip. If you’re visiting at dusk, be sure to pay attention as you might just see the signature aura emanating from glow worms known to populate the caves and rocks around here.

    3. Erskine Falls

    the Erskine Falls in Lorne

    Erskine Falls plunges 30 meters into a lush tree-fern gully. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    This 30-metre cascade just 15 minutes out of Lorne is a real crowd-pleaser because you can view the falls without feeling the burn from a massive hike. A short walk from the Erskine Falls carpark, the upper viewing platform will reveal lovely views of the falls and surrounding bushland. Head down the stairs that lead to the lower viewing platform to experience the instant calm that comes from seeing this magical waterfall fringed by greenery at ground level.

    If you’re a confident, fit and experienced bushwalker, you can tackle the 7.5-kilometre Erskine River Track which begins at the Erskine Falls car park and finishes at the Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park. However, you’ll need to be comfortable with crossing rivers by rock hopping to do this walk thou. Check the river levels before giving it a go as this hike isn’t advisable when the river levels are high.

    4 & 5. Kalimna Falls (Upper and Lower)

    the Kalimna Falls in Lorne

    This enchanting falls is framed by ferns. (Image: Parks Victoria)

    A popular Great Otway National Park trail, the Kalimna Falls Walk is a two-for-one waterfall deal with the track revealing top views of both the upper and lower Kalimna Falls in just a few hours of walking. Park at the Sheoak Picnic Area and set off on foot towards the lower Kalimna Falls first. In years gone by, a tramway used by timber workers ran along this path. Instead of being used to move timber logs to Lorne Pier, the path is now the domain of bushwalkers, birdwatchers and nature lovers. You’ll pass ferns gullies, mossy logs and towering gums on the way to the lower falls which cascade over the ledge of a large cave, creating a spectacular effect you’ll definitely want to snap on your phone. Cool off by dipping your toes in the water, then continue by following the signs to the upper Kalimna Falls from the nearest junction. Check out this simple waterfall that is perfectly framed by the forest ferns and canopy, then loop back to the Sheoak Picnic Area where you started.

    6. Phantom Falls

    a man reaching out for the hand of the woman sitting on a rock backdropped with the Phantom Falls, Lorne

    Discover this dramatic waterfall surrounded by forest. (Image: Parks Victoria)

    Accessed via a 90-minute return walk from the Allenvale Mill Campground, Phantom Falls is a great waterfall walk to tackle if you’re short on time but still want to carve out a part of your trip to commune with nature. You’ll pass picturesque farmland, a peaceful river and serene bushland on relatively flat terrain before hitting the incline which will challenge your legs and lungs a bit more. Be sure you’re wearing sturdy walking shoes – sandals and unsupportive footwear just won’t cut it here. Once you reach the waterfall you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of a bush-fringed waterfall cascading over a dark rock face into a pool below. Be sure to head down the steep stairs to see it from below too.

    Need somewhere to stay? Discover the best Lorne accommodation options.