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If you’re looking for the best things to do in Lorne you’ve come to the right place. Lorne Victoria is a hub of activity.
A popular lunch stop or overnight stay along the Great Ocean Road, Lorne has been attracting visitors for generations.
If you’re stuck for things to do, Lorne offers plenty of options; visit Live Wire Park Lorne, head to the beach, or explore the vast Great Otways National Park.
If you’re driving along the Great Ocean Road, Lorne is a place that you absolutely have to stop at.
There are some great places to stay as well as plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from.
It attracts tourists from all over with its beautiful beaches, ample wildlife, and stunning scenery.
There are lots of Lorne attractions that make this town so much more than just a lunch stop along the Great Ocean Road.
So read on to find out some of our favourite things to do in Lorne.
The Best Things to Do In Lorne
1) Enjoy The Sun, Sea And Sand At The Lorne Beaches
Lorne Main Beach
Visit Lorne Main Beach for one of the safest spots in the area for swimming, boating, and other water sports.
This sheltered 2 kilometre beach is safer than most beaches along the Great Ocean Road, as it’s protected by Point Grey. It’s ideal for beginner surfers and bathers alike.
Lorne Beach is one of the most popular spots as a day out for the locals, and you’ll see many happy families enjoying their holidays.
Lorne town is also close by, so anything you need is easily accessible.
The Lorne Foreshore Reserve separates the road and the town from the beach and has great facilities like a kids’ playground, barbeque area, and toilets.
Located on the coast of Loutitt Bay, Lorne Beach attracts mostly families looking for an easy day of picnics, sunbathing, and swimming in the sea.
North Lorne Beach (Lorne Dog Beach)
North Lorne Beach is dog friendly and much quieter than the other Lorne beaches.
There’s a huge area that’s great for barbecues or picnics as well as places to let your dog off the leash.
The water is generally safe for swimming but be sure to check the tides as there aren’t any patrols.
Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is great for fishing as well as surfing, it’s a bit further away from town than Main Beach so attracts a quieter crowd.
Surrounded by rocks, some areas are hard to get to if you feel like exploring, so be sure to wear sturdy boots.
Shelly Beach is a great place to avoid the crowds, have a quiet spot of lunch on the beach or take a romantic stroll at sunset.
Lorne Scenic Beach
The Scenic Beach is a small beach located at the Southern tip of Lorne, great for visiting at low tide and drawing pictures in the sand.
The mouth of the St Georges River leads onto the beach and is a popular spot for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Heading down the Great Ocean Road? Click here to join our FREE Great Ocean Road Travel Planning Facebook Group for tips and information to plan your perfect trip.
2) See The View From Teddy’s Lookout
You’ll find Teddys Lookout at the mouth of the St George River near the southern end of town.
A 113 metre high viewpoint over the Southern Ocean, Teddy’s Lookout has some of the best views around and is a top Lorne attraction.
Several hiking trails also start from here, offering the chance to see local wildlife like kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras.
But most people visit to soak in the views. From this point, you can see the Saint George River mouth and the Southern Ocean as well as great valleys and deep gorges.
Directly below the lookout is Lorne Scenic Beach, where artists draw giant pictures in the sand. Spot the artworks at low tide before they get washed away by the ocean.
Teddy’s Lookout is thought to have gotten its name from a cattle ranger who accidentally stumbled across it.
Whatever the reason, this cute name has made it one of the most popular things to do near Lorne.
You can walk from Lorne or drive right up to the car park. The lookout is just 100 metres from the parking area.
3) Take The Whole Family To Lorne Sea Baths
Take the family to Lorne Sea Baths for a day everyone can enjoy.
Kids can go wild on the trampolines, mini-golf, aqua orbs, cannon ball blasters, bumper boats, and swim in the pools, while parents relax on the beach.
There’s also a gym, salt therapy sessions, hydrotherapy and yoga. No matter what age you are, there are plenty of ways to spend the day here.
There are great refreshment options too.
Head to Almyra Restaurant for dinner and enjoy its outdoor seating with beautiful views of Loutitt Bay and the Otways.
For something more casual visit the Lorne Sea Baths Kiosk, serving up ice creams by the pool and cool drinks.
On the beach, there’s also HAH(Health & Hire), a place to hire a surfboard and grab healthy snacks for the day.
All food and drinks are made in-house and are sourced locally.
Get an entry pass for single or multiple activities, or you can purchase an all-day pass for unlimited access to everything.
4) Try Some Lorne Surf Lessons
Learning to surf is a must while travelling the Great Ocean Road. After all, it is the home of the sport in Australia.
Although you can simply hire a board and give it a go yourself, Lorne surf lessons are a great way to meet people and safely learn a new skill.
Go Ride A Wave is one of Australia’s best surf schools with a chain of surf shops across the Surf Coast.
They’ve been going since 1987 and are very conveniently located on Lorne Main Beach.
The waters are perfect here for beginners as it’s one of the safest and most sheltered beaches, in almost all conditions, along the Great Ocean Road.
It’s a long, gently sloping, sandy beach with mostly small surf, which makes it easy for beginner surfers and young children to learn.
If you just want to test the waters, the 2 hour “Surf Experience” costs $79 for adults and $69 for children. It’s a great introduction to surfing, and fun for the whole family.
For a more in-depth introduction to surfing, the “Surf Course” offers three two hour lessons for just $215 for adults and $185 for kids. Group and private sessions are also available on request.
All surf lessons include surf safety information, all the necessary “learn to surf” equipment, including a soft beginner board, leg-rope, wetsuit, or rashy, as well as an experienced surf instructor to suit your skill level.
Go Ride A Wave Lorne is open every day during the December/January school holidays (except Christmas and New Year’s Day).
Public group lessons are also available on weekends up until Easter.
5) Explore Lorne Pier
Take an easy 1 kilometre walk along Lorne Pier and you might find stingrays, seals, and other marine life swimming below your feet.
This local landmark is a popular spot for local fishermen and was key to the once booming fishing industry, but that’s not why it’s here.
The original Lorne Pier was constructed in 1879 for the local logging industry. Boats from Geelong came to collect timber from the nearby sawmills.
A giveaway of its past is the horse-drawn tram track that can be seen near a section of the old pier.
The unusual curved shape is a result of the pier being rebuilt in 2007 following a public campaign.
The flared end makes it a great spot for watching the surfers and you can even spot whales here between May and September.
Lorne Pier is probably best known for the annual Pier to Pub Race, a 1.2 kilometre swim and run from the end of the pier to the beach.
It attracts competitors from around the world and has been running for over 40 years.
6) Visit The Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre & Lorne Historical Society
If you’re looking for things to do in Lorne when it’s raining, the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre comes high on the list.
Located inside the Lorne Information Centre, the permanent exhibition, the ‘Great Ocean Road Story’ tells the fascinating past of the road and how it came to be.
Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road was dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I.
Learn all about them and their plight in this well presented little museum.
If you have already visited the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch 15 minutes drive northeast of Lorne, don’t worry as there’s even more information here.
Over the road is the Lorne Historical Society, and you can also find Lorne tours and a public toilet nearby.
The Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre is open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m, it takes about an hour and entrance is free.
7) Zip Around At The Live Wire Park Lorne
Easily one of the top things to do in Lorne with family, Live Wire Park is just a 5 minute drive out of town.
Spend a fun filled day ziplining through the trees in Australia’s first off-the-grid, elevated adventure park.
Bring the kids and climb, jump, swing, and fly through the trees. Included in the general admission price is 120 metres of easy treetop-suspended pathway as well as a five zone elevated trampolining park.
The Live Wire Park is also home to ‘Australia’s most extreme zipline’ the Shockwave Zip Coaster. It’s the ultimate zip-lining joy ride at a whopping 525 metres long.
For the really adventurous visitor, there’s also the Super Circuit featuring 53 mid-air trails, suspended bridges, tree scaling activities, and a Tarzan swing.
Entry to Live Wire Park Lorne is $20.00 for adults and $16.00 for children and concession.
The Shockwave Zip Coaster is $55.00 for adults and $50.00 for children.
The Super Circuit is $82.00 for adults and $76.00 for children.
8) Explore The Lorne Waterfalls
Lorne Victoria is famous for having 10 waterfalls within 10 kilometres of the town. Each one of the waterfalls near Lorne has its own individual character.
They are also a great place to go to spot wildlife in Lorne. Hike the trails at the right time and you may come across kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, echidnas, and a host of birdlife.
Lorne’s dense forests offer some of the best Great Ocean Road waterfalls. Escape the summer heat and take a walk through the shady trees to one of these stunning Lorne waterfalls.
Erskine Falls
One of the most popular waterfalls in Lorne, Erskine Falls can be found by following the footpath along the Erskine River.
It’s so popular the entry point often has a line snaking down the stairs during the peak season (which runs from January through to March).
Sheoak Falls
The hike to Sheoak Falls is about an hour long, but it’s definitely worth the trek.
The walk is fairly easy and suitable for children, and you are rewarded with one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Lorne.
Due to the time it takes to get there, many people don’t bother, so you often get the whole place to yourself.
The other waterfalls Lorne has to offer are; Phantom Falls, Cumberland Falls, Cora Lynn Cascades, Won Wondah Falls, Henderson Falls Upper & Lower Kalimna Falls, Swallow Cave and Straw Falls.
9) Take A Dip In Jebbs Pool
Jebbs Pool is a great little water hole for wild swimming located just a 10 minute drive south of Lorne.
Take a short walk through shaded trees to the tranquil pool surrounded by nature.
The cascades feeding into Jebbs Pool make for a great natural waterslide, and the surrounding flat rocks make an ideal spot for a picnic.
To get to Jebb’s Pool, park at the Cumberland River Holiday Park and take the 1-kilometre track to the northeast – it’s well signposted.
You can either return the way you came or extend the walk and carry on a little further to Cumberland Falls which is a more challenging walk.
10) Have a Cuppa At The Lorne Swing Bridge Cafe
Head to the end of Lorne Beach to the mouth of the Erskine River to visit the Lorne Swing Bridge Cafe.
Aptly named after the swing bridge that crosses the river, this quaint little cafe is the perfect place to start the day.
Grab a Chai Tea (or coffee!) and a Bacon roll on the banks of the river, then head straight down to the beach.
The Swing Bridge Cafe Lorne is open during the holidays but often closes during winter.
11) Find The Perfect Drop At One Of The Wineries Near Lorne
There are some fantastic Lorne wineries to visit while you’re in the area. Visit a cellar door and grab a robust red or wonderful white to take home with you from a winery in Lorne.
St Annes Winery
Probably the best known Lorne Winery, St Anne’s Winery is located right in town on Lorne Beach.
The cellar door is open every day and offers free tastings. Try the award winning wines made by Chief Winemaker Richard McLean.
They are part of St Anne’s Vineyards which also hold festivals, expos, markets, and pop-up restaurants. They also stock amazing chocolate products, decor and giftware.
Otway Estate Winery
Visit the Otway Estate Vineyards for some of the best Great Ocean Road wines.
The beautiful vineyard is located on the outskirts of Colac and specialises in the production of “ultra premium” wines.
Visit the tasting room and speak to the friendly staff to find your favourite tipple.
The Otway Winery is open Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.
12) Spot The Great Ocean Road Sign
Naturally, you have to drive the Great Ocean Road while you’re visiting Lorne Victoria!
Something not to be missed when driving the Great Ocean Road is the Memorial Arch at Eastern View, also known as the Great Ocean Road sign.
Built on the site of the original toll gates, it symbolises the back breaking labour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked to build the road.
It’s one of the top Great Ocean Road attractions, and it’s pretty hard to miss if you drive past it.
You’ll find it located between Lorne and Aireys Inlet near Anglesea.
13) Go “Round The Twist” At Split Point Lighthouse
Speaking of Aireys Inlet, Split Point Lighthouse is another one of the top things to do around Lorne.
Famous as the “Round The Twist” lighthouse from the late 90s television series, Aireys Inlet Lighthouse is a well known local landmark.
Split Point Lighthouse tours run daily and take you through the maritime history of the “Shipwreck Coast”.
There are also some fantastic walks around this Great Ocean Road lighthouse, and a cute little beach located just below it.
14) Take Some Of The Best Walks Near Lorne
Some of the best Lorne activities are completely free! There are some fantastic Lorne walks to go on if you want to get active and explore the area on foot.
Whether it’s a gentle stroll with the family, an intense hike, or a peaceful walk surrounded by nature, there are lots of Lorne hikes suitable for just about anyone.
Explore beautiful heathland, dense forests, tranquil rivers, cascading waterfalls and dramatic coastlines with these top walks in Lorne.
The Lorne Waterfall Walk
The Lorne Waterfall Circuit is an easy overnight hike.
This great hike showcases some of the best waterfalls and ocean views that Lorne and the Great Otway National Park have to offer.
Explore fern gullies, boulder canyons, a dam, and of course, plenty of waterfalls.
The Shipwreck Plaques Walk
The 1.5 kilometre Shipwreck Plaques Walk is easily accessible from town and takes you right past the foreshore.
Along the family friendly route, you will discover plaques commemorating the many shipwrecks in Louttit Bay.
This walk is flat and great for young children and strollers. It starts at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre.
The Queens Park Lookout Loop
The Queens Park Lookout Loop is a moderate 1.6 kilometre walk taking you past three lookouts with stunning panoramic views.
Head through the bushland of Queens Park and hike right along the coast of the Otways ranges.
The St Georges River Walk
The St Georges River Walk will only take you around an hour. It’s a moderate 2.7 kilometres (one way) walk beginning at the St George River and finishing at the Allenvale Mill Car Park.
The walk is pretty magical with towering eucalyptus, rocky pools, and shady fern-lined gullies. The perfect antidote to the summer heat.
The Stony Creek Walk and Lilypond Reserve
A great walk for families, this easy stroller friendly trail takes you through eucalyptus forest and out onto a grassy picnic area.
The walk takes in views of the Lily Pond Bushland Reserve, culminating in a cascading river and pool.
15) The Kennett River Koala Walk
It’s not that easy to see koalas in the wild anymore in Australia. Of course, most zoos have them, but there’s nothing like seeing one in its natural habitat.
Visit the Kennett River Koala Walk just 30 minutes south of Lorne to see some cute and cuddly koalas up close.
Kennett River is surrounded by a beautiful eucalyptus forest that’s home to a large population of wild koalas.
The Kennett River Nature Walk starts next to the aptly named Kafe Koala & General Store, it’s about an hour’s round trip on a flat easy pathway.
There are interesting signs displaying different aspects of the wildlife, land and water along the nature walk, including facts about the Great Ocean Road Koalas.
Keep your eyes peeled in the trees as the koalas can be well camouflaged among the foliage. You might also spot kangaroos in the area.
16) Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park is a vast area of beautiful parkland with heaps of fantastic things to do.
The park stretches from Torquay right over to Princetown, so Lorne is a great place to explore it from, as it’s right in the heart of the Otways.
Get outdoors and get a true sense of the area, the Otways National Park is the perfect place to come and experience nature at its very best.
Visit the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, the glow worms at Melba Gully, or the Lake Elizabeth Walk (see below).
Lorne isn’t the only place around with stunning waterfalls. Definitely visit some of the Otways waterfalls while you’re here too.
Some of the best known are Carisbrook, Hopetoun, and Beauchamp Falls.
There are loads of Otways walks to choose from too, download this handy guide to Otways walks and waterfalls here.
If you’d like to stay longer in the Otways there are some great places to stay, including cute cottages and well-maintained campsites.
17) Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
Although it’s a bit of a way at an hour and a half drive from Lorne, Otway Fly is a great day out for the whole family.
The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is a 600 metre elevated platform that provides the best views of the local flora and fauna from above.
It’s 30 meters high, giving you an eye-to-eye view of the treetop inhabitants.
At the Otways Fly Course, you can zip through the leafy treetops of the beautiful Otway Ranges from one ‘Cloud Station’ to another.
For the little adventurers, there’s also an Enchanted Forest experience. Discover dozens of tiny homes and their magical inhabitants. Kids can get lost spotting fairies, pixies, and dragons.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventurers is open Thursday-Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm (last entry 3.3 pm).
Pre-book online to avoid disappointment.
18) Encounter The Mesmerising Glow Worms, Otways National Park
If you have never seen glow worms, Victoria is a great place to find them.
Head out just before nightfall to spot these bioluminescent creatures at their best.
They prefer wet conditions, and you will find plenty along the banks of trails in the Otways.
Here are some of the best places to see them in their biggest numbers.
Melba Gully Glow Worms
Just off the Great Ocean Road, visit the Madsen’s Track Nature Walk at Melba Gully. It’s an easy 1.5 kilometre rainforest walking track that comes to life at night.
The soil banks alongside the track light up with these tiny creatures, creating a wonderful natural spectacle.
Maits Rest Glow Worms
Another spot to try is the Maits Rest Glow Worms Trail. It’s a short 800 metre walking track, mostly made up of easy-to-walk-on boardwalk, a measure introduced to protect the fragile rainforest floor ecosystem.
Note there are no facilities here, and you’ll need to bring your own torch!
You can also spot glow worms at Lake Elizabeth and the Grey River Picnic Area at Kennett River.
19) Spot Elusive Platypus On The Lake Elizabeth Walk
The Lake Elizabeth Walk isn’t just great for seeing glow worms.
It’s best known for the six or seven resident platypi that can often be spotted paddling around on the lake’s surface at dusk.
The Lake Elizabeth platypus is a shy creature and it’s not easy to spot, take a tour with a company like Otway Eco Tours for a better chance of an encounter.
The walk itself is a fairly steep 1 kilometre trail that leads from the car park to Lake Elizabeth, Victoria.
To get there it’s about a 40 minute drive west of Lorne.
20) Watch The Lorne Pier To Pub & Mountain To Surf Races
If you’re lucky enough to visit at the right time of year why not cheer on racers at the Powercor events?
Organised and run by the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, the iconic Lorne Pier to Pub ocean water swim and the Lorne Mountain to Surf Run take place in January each year.
The Lorne Pier to Pub is the largest ocean swim in the world, it’s a 1.2 kilometre open water swimming race starting at the famous Lorne Pier.
The tradition was started in 1981, when a member of the club, Paul Lacey, had the idea to swim from the pier all the way to the beach in front of the Surf Life Saving Club.
The Mountain to Surf Race is held the day before the Pier to Pub. It’s an 8 kilometre long fun run starting in Lorne.
It heads through the forest and then along the Great Ocean Road and also finishes at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.
You may even spot an Olympian or two as a few famous faces have won the race in the past.
Proceeds from the races go towards support for the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.
21) Get The Best Views At The Lorne Country Club
Visit the Lorne Country Club just 2 kilometres from Lorne centre. Partake in the challenging 9 hole golf course or test your skills at the 6 en-tout-cas tennis courts.
Perched on a hill, the country club overlooks Louttit Bay and Lorne Pier with breathtaking views in every direction.
The Peak Bistro is one of the best spots to treat yourself to a long lunch in Lorne.
You don’t even have to play a sport to come here and appreciate the views over the town.
The Lorne Country Club is open daily from 6 a.m to 7 p.m, all year round. The Bistro is open for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
Things To Do, Lorne, Victoria Map
Find all the things to do in and around Lorne that we’ve listed here on the map below.
Where To Stay In Lorne
Lorne Cumberland Resort
With its beachfront location, stunning views, and excellent facilities, the Cumberland Resort is the top choice for the best place to stay in Lorne.
There is a range of rooms to choose from including luxury penthouses and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with corner spa baths, balconies, and fully equipped kitchens.
Naturally, the best rooms have ocean views.
This beachside resort has an indoor pool and spa, tennis and squash courts, a games room, free Wifi, and complimentary parking.
Lorne’s restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutiques are all within easy walking distance so you can leave the car behind and not worry about the hassle of parking.
➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!
Find our complete guide to the best accommodation in Lorne here or the best places to stay on the Great Ocean Road here.
Final Word
There are so many fantastic things to do in Lorne, Victoria, these are just a few of the best ways to spend your time on a visit here.
Enjoy the abundance of wildlife surrounding Lorne, the amazing views from the many scenic lookouts, and of course the town itself.
You can find more guides to the Great Ocean Road by clicking here. Don’t forget to join our FREE Great Ocean Road Travel Planning Facebook Group here!
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By Audrey Chalmers
Audrey grew up in Victoria and travelled the world but she always called Victoria home. She loves nothing more than exploring her home state and sharing it here.
