What to do on your Lorne day trip | Australian Traveller

Planning a day trip to Lorne? This guide is the key on how to spend the ultimate day in this charming Victorian town.

The Details:

Where is Lorne?

Lorne is located a two-hour drive away from South-West Melbourne.

Take the Great Ocean Road for scenic drive down to Lorne.

Population

The 2016 census showed a population of 1,114. But in the summer months, expect flocks of tourists to swarm the area.

What’s it all about?

Beautiful surf and hinterland.

Best months to go?

May to October is prime time for a visit down to Lorne.

Why go?

Lorne is a seaside retreat of Melburnians. A quick weekend down the coast with beaches, vibes and a close proximity to the Otway Ranges.

9am

Head over to Health and Hire (HAH), Lorne’s local lifestyle café. Owned by resident Katie Walker, this café is only five short steps away from the local beach and boasts jaw-dropping views of the area. In summer, head up to order brekkie after your surfing session, but in winter, grab a morning hot chocolate and watch the whales play in the bay.

Head over to HAH for a spot of brekkie right on the beach.

The best thing on the menu here is the acai power smoothie bowl, topped with the freshest seasonal fruit, sided with a slice of freshly baked banana bread drizzled in locally-produced honey. Everything at HAH is sustainably sourced and eco-friendly.

10am

After you’ve licked your bowls clean and mopped up all the crumbs, it’s time to head out for a quick cycle. The good thing about HAH is that you can hire out bikes, stand-up paddle boards and surfboards straight from the café. Cycle out until you reach the beautiful beach path to Lorne Pier. Wave hi to the fisherman as you cycle pass and don’t forget Sammy the Seal, Lorne’s resident seal.

Hop on a bike and cycle through Lorne and down to the pier.

11:30pm

Lorne is known for their boutique shops, so take a wander down Mountjoy Parade to check out all the awesome little stores. La Sirena, Vic and Bert and Lorne Beach Books have all set up shop in this coastal town. Search along the strip to find rare antiques, quirky homewares and of course a souvenir or two.

12:30pm

You must be starved after all of that retail therapy. Luckily, Lorne has a whole heap of epic eateries around for you to choose from. It may not look it, but QDOS Arts (two minutes behind Lorne) is home to an art gallery and cute café. Set amongst bushland, enjoy slices of the tastiest wood-fried pizzas or if you have more of a sweet tooth, try their home-made pastries under the sun. After lunch, take a look through the grounds to search for hidden sculptures and artistic gems.

Pop into QDOS Art Gallery to roam the grounds for hidden sculptures.

If art isn’t your style and you’re in the mood for an Aussie greasy burger, The Bottle of Milk along Mountjoy Parade will satisfy your cravings. Known grilling up the best burgers in the state, this place has quite the reputation. Situated right across from Anzac Park, ask for takeaway and have a picnic on the grass.

2pm

Now is the time to work off that over-filling lunch and what better way to do that than a brisk walk around the best areas in Lorne’s hinterland. Depending on how far you want to walk, Lorne has got a heap of tracks for you to stroll down.

But the locals all swear by the St Georges River Walk. A 5 kilometre walk through the beautiful apple orchards of Allenvale and up to Phantom Falls. This area is home to the tallest eucalyptus trees in Australia. And where the trickle of St George River meets the falls, it feels like you’ve entered a different tropical world. Surrounded by shady fern gullies, revel in the rocky pools to cool off.

4pm

Take a visit to the Lorne Sea Baths to de-stress. With a mix of activities and wellness sessions you won’t be able to pull yourself away. Mini Golf, Bumper Boats and Aqua Orbs are available if you’re up to the challenges.

Otherwise, head into Lorne Salt therapy for a detoxifying appointment. The rooms are fitted out with reclining chairs and a television, and most importantly a fresh air filter to assist in the elimination of airborne particles. During your session, a halo-generator machine will grind up the salt to a fine dust, allowing it to be absorbed through the skin.

7pm

To finish off what has already been a pretty spectacular day, make a booking for the town’s favourite Greek establishment, IPSOS Restaurant & Bar. Bringing a traditional Greek menu to the table, feast on Kalamata olives, chargrilled octopus and slow cooked lamb shoulder all night long. Grab a seat on the outside deck and enjoy a shot of Ouzo under the stars.

Planning to stay?

If you’re planning on staying in Lorne, that’s a wise choice. Accommodation in the area is really affordable considering you’re basically getting million-dollar views wherever you stay.

Stay at this cosy cottage hideaway located just outside of Lorne.

Three minutes away from the town centre, you’ll find a hideaway cabin that is perfect for making you feel a million miles away from civilisation. Check out our review of Allenvale cottages in Lorne.

Hoping to take a holiday to Victoria? We’ve created a complete guide on absolutely everything you need to know.

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

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)

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.

What to do on your day trip to Lorne, Victoria