Lorne by Dustin M Ramsey

Lorne Vic 3232 (Pop 1 200)

Lorne is a beautiful and lively holiday destination on the Great Ocean Road 140 km s-w of Melbourne. With the nearby Otway Ranges as a spectacular backdrop, this seasonably busy town still retains its charming atmosphere and unspoilt air. Original inhabitants were the Kolakngat Aborigines with European settlement beginning around 1850 and at least five shipwrecks occurred in the area between 1854 and 1878.  With the completion of the Great Ocean Road (1933), tourism and a fishing industry were established. Mountain to Surf Wim (Jan), Summer Fair (Jan), great Otway Classic Foot Race (June), Foreshores Fair (Nov), Falls Festival (Dec 31).  

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Beaches and Foreshore Reserve swimming, surfing, fishing & picnicking. There is also a jetty and boat ramp. The Shipwreck Walk takes in  various shipwreck sites with detailed plaques. Historic Lorne includes Temperance Hotel (1868), All Saints Church (1880), Post Office (1889), St Cuthbert’s Church (1892). Teddy's Lookout, George St has excellent town & coastal views and an 1880 rotunda. Lorne Historical Museum, cnr Otway St & Great Ocean Rd with fascinating displays, photographs & memorabilia of the Great Ocean Road’s construction and the area’s local history. Open (1pm-4pm) Sun. 

Nearby:
The Angahook-Lorne State Park 22 000 ha park of beaches, rock platforms, mountainous hinterland, cliffs & fern gullies. About 170 bird species and many types of marsupials are found here between the dry heathlands and temperate rainforests. Fishing and bush camping are both popular together with over 100 walking tracks including the Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (10 km return), Erskine Falls Way (7.5 km one way), Kalimna Falls Loop Walk (8 km return), Sheoak Falls Walk (7 km return) to name a few. The park is ideally visited between Nov-May. Lookouts include Cinema Point (10 km n-w), Cathedral Rocks, Mt Defiance (9 km south). Carisbrook Falls (29 km s-w) highest in the Otway Ranges accessed by a 1 km return walk from the bridge. Cumberland River Valley (4 km s-w) scenic walking trails and camping. Wye River (17 km s-w) small coastal village with great fishing, surfing, camping & scenic lookout.

Accommodation:
Lorne has half a dozen motels, two hotels, 4 B&Bs, several holiday units/cottages and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 144 Mountjoy Pde. Tel (03) 5289 1152.