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

Danielle Norton Danielle Norton
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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)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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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.

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Danielle Norton
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.
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7 things you must experience on a getaway to Echuca Moama

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    Those dreaming of a river escape that’s less rush and more rest will discover the perfect getaway in Echuca Moama.

    Best known for summer river holidays, Echuca Moama dishes up extraordinary options for those craving good food, experiences and culture. Discover how best to spend your getaway in this gorgeous river town.

    1. Find unique stays in Echuca Moama

    Goolwa River Retreat villas
    Bathe under the stars at Goolwa River Retreat.

    An adventure here starts with the perfect place to stay. Echuca Moama is famous for its luxury houseboats. Be spoilt for choice with amenities like spas, chef’s kitchens and en-suites onboard Murray River Houseboats and Echuca Luxury Houseboats.

    For those who prefer to stay on dry land to sleep, there’s no shortage of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The villas at Goolwa River Retreat offer spectacular views of the Murray Riverfront, cosy evenings by the fire pit. And, a truly unique and luxurious experience: bathing under the stars in an outdoor bathtub.

    Families travelling with young kids will appreciate the fully self-contained cabins, which sleep up to six, at NRMA Echuca Holiday Park. Complete with BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground, Echuca Holiday Park is the perfect base for families exploring the Echuca Moama region.

    More adventurous guests can experience off-grid serenity at Carriages Water Front Retreat, where they can slumber among the redgums in a lovingly converted vintage train carriage.

    If you prefer a more central place to stay, the Mercure Port of Echuca is located just five minutes from the Port of Echuca on foot and offers comfortable rooms, as well as easy access to all the region has to offer.

    2. Explore the Murray River

    PaddlesteamerS on the Murray River
    Jump aboard one of Echuca Moama’s famous paddlesteamers.

    A trip to Echuca Moama isn’t complete without seeing the Murray River. Take in views from the water, with Murray River Paddlesteamers and Echuca Paddlesteamers. Or combine sightseeing with lunch at a local winery or brewery on a Wharf to Winery or Port to Plate cruise.

    Those who prefer an active holiday can hire a stand-up paddleboard with Echuca SUP to explore the river. Duck under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge and listen out for local wildlife. At the end of your paddleboarding trip, you’ll find a shuttle service to return you to the car park.

    Kayaking is another great option if you like to combine seeing the sights with a full-body workout. Hire a kayak from River Country Adventours, or join a river safari for a guided experience.

    3. Go hiking and biking in Echuca Moama

    two bikers riding on the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail
    Peddle along the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail.

    On foot or by bike, there are plenty of trails to explore the region. Embark on a guided e-bike tour with Green Pedal (or hire an e-bike and go it alone) to explore the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail. Traverse through beautiful bushland and the scenic Waranga Basin. Bakeries and picnic areas in the historic town of Rushworth provide the perfect place for refreshments.

    Day trip to the lookout at Whroo Forest, near the now-abandoned Whroo township, located on historic Balaclava Hill. The Hill was once the site of Victoria’s largest open-cut gold mine and home to a thriving town. Today, the area offers picturesque walking tracks and picnic sites.

    4. Taste Echuca Moama’s best dining options

    lobster dish on the table at opa in echuca moama
    Taste delicious, authentic Greek at Opa. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Whether you like a candlelit dinner or a coffee in the sunshine, Echuca Moama is ready to delight your taste buds.

    Pop into Opa for authentic Greek fare with views of the town from its upstairs balcony. Enjoy seasonal produce at The Mill, offering everything from global street food and share plates to classic dinner and dessert options inside a historic building.

    Discover a local secret at Monkee and Co, a relaxed Asian-fusion restaurant serving up classics like Banh Mi and dumplings.

    Start the day with excellent coffee and waterfront views at the family-run Watson St Pavilion.

    5. Drink at Echuca Moama’s best bars

    two people drinking cockatails at paradise bar in echuca moama
    Cheers to neon at Paradise Bar.

    Top-notch tipples can be found at Paradise Bar, a new cocktail bar serving up handcrafted cocktails to delight the taste buds in the heart of Echuca. The menu features classics like mojitos, margs, and spritzers. As well as Paradise’s own creations featuring funky ingredients like bubble gum syrup and an Old Fashioned with truffle oil.

    Bar Lee at the Echuca Distillery is the place to go to watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar, taste Echuca’s locally made spirits and nibble your way through an exceptional selection of share plates.

    For river views, excellent service and a more than extensive wine menu, head to Social Wine Bar. You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the riverfront beer garden that sprawls out under an ancient pine tree and a cosy interior perfect for hiding away on a cool evening.

    6. Follow local art trails

    Silo Art Trail
    Jump in the car and follow the Silo Art Trail.

    The region’s silos have been transformed into impressive, towering canvases depicting local fauna, Echuca’s historical links to industry and the building of the local railroad. Follow the Silo Art Trail by car, which takes between three and four hours.

    Rochester Mural Park is home to an annual lineup of changing murals, while the Rochester Mural Festival showcases established and emerging artists.

    7. Dive into local history

    Echuca Port Museum and Penny Tourism
    See the historic Port of Echuca.

    The Echuca Moama region is bursting with history. Among its historical treasures is the Port of Echuca. Interactive displays showcase the port’s importance to historical trade along the river, industrial sites like the Evans Brothers Sawmill and the Port of Echuca railway station with its very own heritage steam train.

    The displays pay homage to the site’s significance to the local Yorta Yorta People and their ancestral connection to the land where the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers meet.

    Explore the port independently or join a guided tour to learn from Echuca’s history buffs.

    Learn more and start planning the perfect holiday to Echuca Moama at visitechucamoama.com.au.