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)

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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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Two of the best festivals are coming to Ballarat: here’s how to plan for them

(Credit: Tony Evans)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    Come for a couple of unmissable festivals, stay for a long, leisurely weekend of wining, dining and exploring all the heritage-rich glory Ballarat has to offer.

    Far from a sleepy town, the historic city of Ballarat is an unexpectedly vibrant cultural and culinary destination. Year-round, it hosts a roster of events and experiences – including the upcoming Ballarat Heritage Festival, a celebration of the city’s past, and the new Ballarat Craft and Design Week, a must for fans of all things handmade and thoughtfully designed.

    Beyond the festivals, there’s a bevy of things to see, do, eat and drink – making a weekend in Ballarat an absolute no-brainer.

    Plus, just 90 minutes away from Melbourne by car along the Western Freeway or an easy train ride from Southern Cross, getting here is simple and stress-free.

    Day 1

    Morning

    Perridak Arts ballarat
    Peruse works by local First Nations artists at Perridak Arts. (Credit: Tony Evans)

    Start your Ballarat jaunt at Johnny Alloo, a beautifully restored cafe harking back to the 1870s with original details and contemporary touches. Order a seasonal plate from the all-day brunch menu alongside a cleverly reimagined ‘cup of tea’ – the cafe’s very own Earl Grey-infused early bird spritz.

    Next, head to Perridak Arts, a First Nations-owned and operated gallery filled with powerful works by local First Nations artists. Your next stop is Hop Lane, an alleyway crowned by a floating canopy of technicoloured umbrellas and centred on Hop Queen, a striking mural of a commanding female figure.

    Afternoon

    The Pottage ballarat
    Create your own artworks at The Pottage. (Credit: Mass Motion)

    Cobb’s Coffee is a firm favourite for consistently good coffee and thoughtful food, making it a solid lunch spot. The cafe’s signature sandwiches and toasties are well worth trying as you take in the heritage surrounds.

    While away your afternoon at The Pottage, where Ballarat ceramicist and social media favourite Shelby Sherritt has just moved into brand-new digs. Try a throwing workshop, or pick a piece of pottery to paint from the extensive collection (the team will post it to you once it’s fired).

    Now it’s time to check into Hotel Vera, the newest boutique accommodation in the city’s already-impressive line-up. The hotel presents a modern spin on Ballarat’s gold rush-era past – think design-led rooms, gold detailing and a curated art collection. There are only seven suites, each as beautifully finished as the next, with high-quality linens and plush furnishings.

    Evening

    Babae hotel vera ballarat
    Sit down to a seven-course feast at Babae. (Credit: Einwick)

    Treat yourself to a pre-dinner drink at Grainery Lane. The saloon-style bar has rich, period-inspired decor (including an original bar top sourced from Chicago) and drinks reminiscent of 1900s classics, crafted with local ingredients.

    Head back to Hotel Vera for a seven-course feast at Babae. This intimate dining room serves up a refined, ever-evolving menu made with exceptional produce and is a truly memorable experience.

    Day 2

    Spencer & Nick Ballarat Craft and Design Week
    Spend the day at Ballarat Craft and Design Week. (Credit: Klapper Films)

    Linger over a slow breakfast at Hotel Vera. You’ll graze your way through a spread of locally sourced treats, from toasted granola and pastries to seasonal fruit, and will need a strong coffee before a busy day at the main event: Ballarat Craft and Design Week.

    This year marks the event’s inauguration, a celebration of artists, makers, designers and manufacturers. It’s a testament to Ballarat’s position as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art.

    The festival features a thoughtfully curated roster of events and activities, including free talks, hands-on workshops where you can craft your own keepsake, displays, studio tours and more. The central theme is Bound, with a flagship exhibition hosted in Ballarat’s grand and iconic Mining Exchange. The exhibition brings together five immersive projects designed to be touched, explored and experienced.

    Afternoon

    Pancho ballarat
    Discuss your favourite artworks over lunch at Pancho. (Credit Einwick)

    The Craft and Design program continues at The Unicorn Collection. The gallery is hosting Why Are You Here?, an installation presented by artists from the community that centres on the meaning of Ballarat as home.

    Recharge with lunch at Pancho, which turns out vibrant food from across Central and South America. Make sure to order from the specials board, often featuring dishes from more far-flung locations.

    For a top-up of local craftsmanship, a visit to Wootten is a must. This workshop and retail space is a Ballarat institution, making and selling made-to-order and customised footwear alongside a selection of handcrafted leather goods.

    Evening

    Mr Jones restaurant in Ballarat
    Ballarat’s streets contain incredible dining options. (Credit: Tony Evans)

    Book a table at Mr Jones, headed by chef Damian Jones, who’s worked in Michelin-Starred restaurants around the globe. The modern Asian menu changes weekly, but you can always expect the very best ingredients cooked with precision and restraint.

    Finish off your day of art and exploration with a nightcap (and maybe a cheeky late-night snack) at Renard. This intimate and atmospheric cocktail bar does clever drinks alongside French-leaning small plates – we love the smoked trout pate and goat’s cheese doughnuts.

    Day 3

    Morning

    Black Cat Truffles
    Stop into Black Cat Truffles before heading home. (Credit Einwick)

    It’s your final morning in Ballarat (that is, until you inevitably return), so it’s worth making it an unhurried one. Turret Cafe is your best bet for a relaxed and satisfying breakfast, with a produce-driven all-day menu and excellent coffee inside a character-filled setting.

    A wander around the leafy Ballarat Botanical Gardens, followed by an excursion to Ross Creek Gallery, is the ideal way to stretch your legs after your morning feast. The gardens are replete with seasonal flower displays and heritage-listed trees, while the gallery is hosting a group exhibition centred on printmakers from across the region as part of Craft and Design Week.

    Farewell your weekend escape – and fuel up for the journey home – at Black Cat Truffles. True to its name, the restaurant serves truffle-infused dishes (alongside regular fare) and the surrounding farm hosts truffle hunts and experiences. Pair your meal with a drop from the on-site Meredith Wines cellar door.

    Can’t make it for Ballarat Craft + Design Week? Time this itinerary for the annual Ballarat Heritage Weekend, returning 21-24 May, or the magical Ballarat Winter Festival, 27 June – 19 July. Start planning at visitballarat.com.au.