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The best things to do in Lorne on your next seaside trip

Credit: Visit Victoria

Jade RaykovskiBy Jade Raykovski
From bush to beach, explore the best things to do in Lorne.

There is an abundance of great things to do in Lorne, for nature lovers to water babies and everyone in between. Just two hours from Melbourne, nestled between the beach and beautiful forests of the Great Otway National Park, the cosmopolitan town is a favourite destination for those travelling the Great Ocean Road. Make it your home base, and start exploring.

In short

If you only do one thing in Lorne, visit Lorne Beach. It’s one of the safest and most sheltered beaches along the Surf Coast; whether you want to swim, surf or simply relax, nothing beats the pristine sand and blue waters of Loutit Bay.

Visit Qdos Fine Arts

Best for: Art lovers

This arts venue is set amongst the serene natural beauty of the Great Otway National Park. Explore the latest exhibition, wander the garden with its outdoor sculptures, and enjoy lunch with a view of the trees at the on-site cafe, where they use some of their own organic produce and eggs from their chooks. If you like what you see, you can even stay in one of the five treehouses on the property.

Opening hours: 9am–5pm, Thursday to Sunday from September to April

See glow worms at Sheoak Picnic Ground Nature Walk

Best for: Families and wildlife enthusiasts

As night falls, keep an eye out for twinkling glow worms along the Sheoak Picnic Ground Nature Walk . This easy 30-minute loop through the forest starts at the picturesque picnic ground, equipped with toilets, a picnic shelter and gas barbecues. If you’re a keen hiker, come earlier to explore one of the several trails leading to waterfalls in the area.

Relax at Lorne Beach

Best for: Everyone

the view from Lorne Beach
Lorne Beach offers an idyllic surfing spot. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Sheltered by Point Grey and one of the only beaches patrolled during the summer months, Lorne Beach is the ideal place to take a dip on a hot day. The sandy two-kilometre stretch is backed by grassy picnic areas, BBQ facilities and Lorne’s main strip of cafes and restaurants, so there’s no reason not to spend the day (fish and chips on the beach, anyone?). There are also accessibility features that can be booked in advance. Just don’t forget some insect repellent – the last time I was there, my partner fell victim to some sand flies.

Explore the waterfalls of the Otways

Best for: Nature lovers

Erskine Falls, Lorne from above
Erskine Falls plunges 30 meters into a lush tree-fern gully. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Lorne is a gateway to the stunning waterfalls of the Great Otway National Park. Your first stop, and the most popular, should be Erskine Falls , a 30-metre cascade just 15 minutes from town; other worthwhile stops include Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls , Sheoak Falls and Phantom Falls . Check conditions before you go and note that the seasons and rainfall can affect water flow.

Taste local drops at St Anne’s Winery

Best for: Oenophiles

a range of spirits at St Anne’s Winery
Sip premium Australian wines. (Credit: St Anne’s Winery)

With multiple vineyards in Victoria and New South Wales, St. Anne’s Winery is a family-run business offering a diverse range of premium Australian wines. The cellar door is in the heart of Lorne, right amongst the shops and restaurants and across from the beach; pop in after a dip to sample some wines and pick up a bottle for dinner (the flagship riesling is a favourite).

Take the kids to Lorne Sea Baths

Best for: Families

If you’re looking for a bunch of family-friendly activities in one place, Lorne Sea Baths ticks all the boxes. There’s a solar-heated pool, beachfront mini golf, cafe and restaurant, plus paddleboard and kayak hire for the more adventurous. No kids? Relax in the hydrotherapy spas and sauna.

Opening hours: Check the website as hours vary for different areas.

Enjoy the views from Teddy’s Lookout

Best for: Everyone

Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne
The view doesn’t get any more scenic than from Teddy’s Lookout. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Head to Teddy’s Lookout for a breathtaking vantage point of St George’s River and the blue expanse of Bass Strait. Explore the surrounding bush trails, watch the sunset, and from May to September keep an eye out for whales migrating north to warmer waters.

Go ziplining at Live Wire Park

Best for: Adventure enthusiasts

a hanging bridge at Live Wire Park
Live Wire Park has a range of electrifying experiences for all of the family. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

For outdoor adventures amongst the treetops, look no further than the completely off-grid Live Wire Park . Experiences range from the accessible Canopy Circuit to an exhilarating 525-metre zipline and challenging Super Circuit, consisting of mid-air trails, suspended bridges and Tarzan swing. Kids will love the Short Circuit; it’s an hour-long experience with a minimum height of 110 centimetres.

Opening hours: 9.45am–5pm daily

Hike the Canyon (Lorne Waterfalls Circuit)

This moderate hike includes three waterfalls – Won Wondah, Henderson and Phantom Falls – along with a narrow canyon featuring sheer rock faces and moss-covered boulders. Admire the lush rainforest setting along the way, from tall eucalypts to fern-lined creeks; just make sure you wear sturdy footwear.

Best for: Hikers and nature lovers

Enjoy a cuppa by a historic bridge

Best for: Everyone

coffee at the Lorne Grocer
Get your caffeine fix by the river. (Credit: Lorne Grocer)

The charming Lorne Grocer sits at the mouth of the Erskine River, next to the historic swing bridge, a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of Mountjoy Parade. Whether you come for coffee or brunch, you’ll want to linger for the friendly atmosphere and beautiful views.

Opening hours: From 7am daily

Learn to surf at Lorne Beach

Best for: Active holiday goers

New to surfing? Where better to learn than along Lorne’s stunning coastline. It’s one of the most sheltered beaches along the Surf Coast, which makes it ideal for first-timers. Go Ride a Wave offers daily 2-hour sessions for both beginners and intermediates, and there’s also the option to book in private one-on-ones if you want to master the waves faster.

See a show at the Lorne Theatre

Best for: Cinephiles

the Lorne Theatre exterior view
Catch the latest film at the Lorne Theatre. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

The heritage-listed Art Deco Lorne Theatre has been open since 1937 and underwent a refurbishment in 2024. Perfect for a rainy day or evening activity, it’s where locals and visitors go to catch the latest films or attend live shows, from music concerts to stand-up comedians.

Browse the boutiques of Mountjoy Parade

Best for: Window shoppers

The Sage & Clare Leilani tote bag and matching pouches
The Sage & Clare Leilani tote bag and matching pouches. (Credit: Sage & Clare)

Support local by shopping at the variety of stores and boutiques that line Mountjoy Parade. Browse Australian and New Zealand labels at Wolf Whistle , pick up a timeless piece for the wardrobe at Vic and Bert , or explore homewares and textiles at Sage x Clare . One of my personal favourite things to do when I arrive in town is to grab a beach read from Lorne Books .

Enjoy dinner and drinks at the Grand Pacific Hotel

Best for: Foodies

alfresco dining at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne
Dine with a view. (Credit: Grand Pacific Hotel)

The Grand Pacific Hotel is the ultimate pub with a view. Established in 1879 and recently refurbished, the iconic venue is perched up high, right by the Lorne Pier and overlooking Bass Strait. Grab a cocktail at the Fisherman’s Bar or head to the dining room for Italian-inspired dishes and classic pub fare.

Opening hours: Noon–late, Tuesday to Sunday

Take a dip in a swimming hole

Best for: Water and nature lovers

Jebb’s Pool is a picturesque swimming hole with several cascades, set amongst a tranquil bush setting. It can be reached by the track starting at Cumberland River Holiday Park. Take a picnic, go for a swim and laze about on the rocks on a warm summer’s day. If you’re feeling adventurous, the track continues on to Cumberland Falls.

Jade Raykovski
Jade Raykovski is a freelance travel writer from Melbourne, Australia whose wanderlust began from immersing herself in the fantasy worlds of her favourite books as a kid. She started off her career as a graphic designer, before making the switch to copywriter, and now – in what you could say is the role she was always destined for – travel writer. Along with Australian Traveller, her bylines include National Geographic, BBC Travel, Escape and NZ Herald. And while she loves writing about home, she'll never pass up the chance to sip a spritz in Italy.
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Meet the makers shaping Ballarat’s new era of creativity

    Margaret BarcaBy Margaret Barca
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    Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

    Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

    “Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

    Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten , the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

    heritage buildings in Ballarat
    Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

    Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

    Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

    Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery
    Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

    For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

    You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery , a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

    How Ballarat is preserving the past

    artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat
    The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

    While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades .

    The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

    artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat
    Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

    Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

    A city steeped in food and flavours

    Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho
    Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho , José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

    The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

    a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat
    Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits . At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

    the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat
    The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

    The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

    one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat
    The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

    Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

    Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Getting there

    It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

    Staying there

    Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial , which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

    a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat
    Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

    Eating there

    dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat
    The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

    Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

    Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

    dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat
    Dining at Grainery Lane.

    Playing there

    a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat
    An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

    Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

    a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery
    Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

    The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections .

    Dalwhinnie Wines in the Pyrenees
    Dalwhinnie Wines in the Pyrenees.

    Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle , ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.