Visit these top Lorne cafes on your trip to the Great Ocean Road

Lorne loves coffee just as much as Melbourne, and it shows.

For a small town, Lorne packs in a lot of cafes. Run by locals and often championing local and seasonal produce, the diverse range of cafes offer something for everyone: coffee, matcha and tea drinkers, pastry lovers, health fanatics, avo smash enthusiasts and those with more gourmet tastes.

We think one of the best ways to get a feel for a community is over a cuppa at a local business, so why not try them all?

Note: There’s timed parking along Mountjoy Parade, including disabled parking spots, and in neighbouring residential streets. Additional parking can be found at the Lorne Beach Carpark next to the lifesaving club and at the car park near the sea baths. Parking gets busy in peak periods.

The shortlist

Best pastries: Le Comptoir Pigalle
Best for vegan/vegetarian: HAH Lornebeach
Hidden gem: Lorne Grocer

HAH Lornebeach

Step off the sand and straight into the laidback vibes of HAH Lornebeach . More beach shack than cafe, my partner and I came here every time we were at the beach during our stay for one of their super smoothies or iced matchas (I loved the banana with cacao, almond milk, coffee, raw vanilla protein and nut butter). We would then pull up a little stool outside under the tree and watch the waves.

The HAH stands for Health and Hire, and one look at the menu tells you half the story: think nourishing buddha and smoothie bowls, toasted jaffles with kimchi or vegan mozzarella, and drinks the likes of golden lattes and a charcoal lemonade coconut detox. You can also hire surfboards, bodyboards, SUPs and wetsuits. Local owner Katie Walker is committed to sustainability: reusable bamboo replaces single-use plastics, produce is bought locally with food cooked or assembled in-house, and scraps are donated to a community garden. The venue is also step-free, so suitable for those with mobility issues.

Cuisine: Health-focused brunch
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual and relaxed
Location: 89 Cypress Ave, Lorne

Lorne Grocer

Formerly known as the Swing Bridge Cafe, Lorne Grocer recently came under the new management of Marianne and Amanda. This charming little cafe is situated by the old swing bridge that spans the Erskine River (originally built in 1934), and when you step onto the deck you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at a historic boathouse (the deck is wheelchair-accessible from the car park).

The thoughtful menu ranges from brunch, lunch and St Ali coffee to snacks and aperitivo, with baked goods from their sister cafe Birregurra Grocer. The ever-popular Avo Smash is a standout, with avocado on Zeally Bay seed and sprout sourdough, Meredith goat’s cheese, apple, pickled chilli, coriander and walnut salad, and Hall’s Creek wattle seed dust. If you’re feeling indulgent, pair fresh oysters or a bucket of cooked prawns with a sparkling (there are zero and low-alcohol options too).

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Tranquil and family-friendly
Location: 40 Great Ocean Road, Lorne

Le Comptoir Pigalle

Le Comptoir Pigalle is a new French-style bakehouse outside the Lorne Theatre, serving freshly baked bread, pastries, panini and sandwiches. Self-described as a “little slice of France on the Surf Coast", owner Samuel Roig-Sclafer grew up near Bordeaux. Alongside partner Asher Healey, he already runs Le Comptoir, a French deli and restaurant, and Le Comptoir Bakehouse in Aireys Inlet. The Lorne location is small and takeaway only, although there are long white picnic tables out front (which make for a great backdrop to that Instagram snap).

We can’t think of a better way to start the day than with a cup of coffee and a warm, flaky almond croissant or “kouign-amann", a dough pastry with layers of butter and sugar. For those more savoury-inclined, a fresh ham and pickle baguette hits the spot.

Cuisine: French
Average price: $-$$
Atmosphere: Elegant and inviting
Location: 76 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

Lorne Central

The buzzy, well-established Lorne Central is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Known for smooth coffee, generous portions and a friendly team, they serve up the classics all day; think smoked salmon bagels and truffle mushroom toasties, to cinnamon waffles and eggs benny. The bacon and egg sourdough roll with tomato relish and tasty cheese is a well-priced hit at $16. There’s plenty of seating inside, or head to an outside table to be amongst the bustle of Mountjoy Parade.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie brunch
Average price: $$-$$$
Atmosphere: Friendly and lively
Location: 54-56 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne  

The Riverbank Cafe

Cross the bridge spanning the Esrkine River when you drive into Lorne from Melbourne, take the first right, and you’ve arrived at The Riverbank Cafe , a small family-owned business run by Jo Hughes and Tess Morrisey. Its white weatherboard façade, vine-covered entrance and homely interiors practically scream ‘cosy cottage’. And the step-free outdoor seating under the vines, across from the tree-lined Erskine River, is as romantic as it sounds.

You’ll want to linger, whether it’s over tea and house-made scones or a big brekkie and cappuccino from Axil coffee roasters. For those who need to avoid gluten, don’t miss the gluten-free toasties with Otway Artisan bread.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie brunch
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Warm and cosy
Location: 6 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

Lorne Crepes

If you’re craving more French after Le Comptoir Pigalle, head to Lorne Crepes . The deliciously thin crepes and buckwheat galettes come in a variety of toppings, from lemon and sugar or Nutella and strawberries for the sweet tooths, to ham, cheese and egg for those who are actually here for a meal (they also offer cheese and charcuterie boards).

The place is small but charming, with indoor and outdoor seating, and the striped waiter uniforms are a cheesy-yet-cute touch. You can also get your crepes takeaway in a cone if you want to take them back to the beach. And good news – it’s open until late, so you can come here for your post-dinner dessert.

Cuisine: French
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Cute, relaxed
Location: 6/150 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne

Qdos Café

You’ll find Qdos Café at Qdos Fine Arts, an arts venue nestled amongst the trees of the Great Otway National Park, less than a five-minute drive from town. With full-length windows and a woodsy interior, this treehouse-feel cafe will have you relaxed in no time. The seasonal menu uses produce from their own gardens and organic trees, plus local farms, with popular menu picks including their house made cakes and baked eggs. While you’re here, wander the sculpture garden and check out the latest exhibition. The venue is owned by artist and sculptor Graeme Wilkie OAM, who features his own work along with other artists.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$-$$$
Atmosphere: Peaceful
Location: 35 Allenvale Rd, Lorne

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.

The best Lorne cafes to try on your next trip to the Great Ocean Road