Things to See & Do
The unique combination of aspect, soils, climate and farming practices of the Otway hinterland produce distinctive and exceptional flavours in our produce that cannot be found anywhere else.
The Otway Harvest Trail is a celebration of the seasons that bestow their rich bounty on a luscious part of Victoria.
Spring is a time of plenty and promise. As the winter gives way to warm sunny days, see the bright patchwork of yellow canola fields appear, the farmers out mowing their grass and baling their hay and the spring lambs frolicking on a frosty
morning. The first berries appear. Green shoots can be seen in the vineyards as the vines burst their buds and flowers and spring vegetables appear at farm gate stalls. New release wines can be found at cellar doors.
Summer is all about being outdoors. All the berry farms have opened and their sweet juicy berries are ripe for the picking. The lush emerald green of the vineyards become more distinctive as the land around slowly turns a golden brown. People clamour for outdoor tables and chairs at cafés and restaurants to soak in the warm days, mild evenings and glorious pastel sunsets. Local wines and beers go so well with the seafood, vegetables and fruits in plentiful supply. Wine lovers are
welcomed at cellar doors and their curiosity is rewarded with the discovery of new wines.
Autumn is a time of harvest. The days become still and warm, and the crisp cool nights are perfect for sleeping. With the winter rains not far away, the wineries are busy harvesting their fruit and the vignerons hands become garnet red as they nurture the new wines through their ferment. It is also time to harvest the olives from their groves before the first frosts of winter arrive. Smell the fruity aroma of the extra virgin olive oil as it flows from the presses. The last of the berries are picked.
Winter is a time for taking stock of the seasons passed and making ready for the farming year ahead. The farmers plough their fields and sow their winter crops. Vineyards, olive groves and orchards are pruned and readied for a new season. Fences are mended. The days shorten and become colder. Cattle turn their backs to the wind. Dams pent over the summer begin to refill. Root vegetables appear at the farm gate stands. It’s a time for reflection and for savouring the joys of recently harvested produce. Lengthy conversations occur over bottles of wine in front of toasty log fires. Eventually the tell tale signs of another Spring begin to appear.
At the Melbourne end of Mountjoy Parade is the fabulous women's clothing shop, Duetto.
A favourite among locals and holiday makers alike, Duetto stocks labels such as Philosophy Australia and Andiamo with sizing small to XXXL. The latest fashion and upmarket casual clothing to suit a broad range of range of ages, tastes and sizes.
Duetto is definitely worth a stop.
Flying Fishes is the perfect place to spoil yourself and others. Australian designed ceramics, jewellery,clothing and glass complimented by French costume jewellery, scarves and vintage clothing, Flying Fishes is a must visit shop in Lorne.
One of the smallest shops in Lorne - in the old box office of the iconic Lorne Picture Theatre - Flying Fishes has been trading for almost 20 years. The main focus of the shop is Australian design in ceramics, jewellery,clothing and glass, but we also sell French costume jewellery and scarves and vintage clothing.
Brands we stock include Nancybird, Lea Stein, Sophie Digard, Angus & Celeste, Richard Clements glass, Lazybones, Yoshi Jones, High Tea with Mrs Woo, Bjorg, and many many others.
Lorne Beach Books has become an institution on the Surf Coast since opening in 1999. The owners have amassed 33 years of bookshop ownership first in South Yarra, now Lorne.
Due to the quirky and rebellious nature of the owners the bookshop has a very distinct style, with much culture packed into a small space.
Lorne Beach Club is proud to have built a customer base that enjoys quality, comfort and classic fashion. Lorne Beach Club is conscious of using natural fibres such as cotton and linens. Provides easy to wear and easy to care for garments.
Lorne Beach Clubs look is relaxed but stylish, café style appeal.
Beach Club is unique, as they produce ranges that are exclusive to them; they proudly brand these 'Beach Club'. These ranges vary from season to season but for winter they include cotton knitwear and a great selection of 'must have' items. Please go to the 'buy on line' selection in the web site.
Beach Club also carry specially selected product from labels such as Jump, Tommy Hilfiger, Aero, Jag and selected stores Mesop and many more, plus a wonderful selection of scarves and jewellery.
Lorne Diva is a one-stop-shop-for-women offering stylish, comfortable clothing for sizes 10-24, swimwear, accessories and lingerie. Lorne Diva also offers a selection of homewares and linen; wedding accessories including bow ties, cufflinks, horseshoes and garters. Located conveniently on Mountjoy Parade the main street in Lorne, this is an unmissable store.
The Lorne Girl stores represent designers include All About Eve, Just Add Sugar, Bonds and the fabulous Living Doll.
Check out the Lorne Bay menswear stores in Lorne, Noosa, and Queenscliff. Selected labels are also in the Mornington Classics store. Beach Club Clothing carry labels that have appeal to all age groups including Tommy Hilfiger, Mossimo, Industrie, Jag, Coast, Blazer, Freshjive and Henley to name a few.
Here's a peak at what we're doing in Beach Club for winter 2012 - if you see anything you 'must have' (hopefully there are a few items that are 'just you') - you can now buy on line or pop in to see the friendly staff at your nearest store. You can also call.
Local and market fresh fruit and veg; local beef, lamb, pork and smallgoods; local and imported cheese, bread and wines; a delectable range of fresh and dried pasta and sauces; products from all over the world including a wide range of Asian ingredients and over fifty spice varieties.
Aaron and Karen took over Lorne Greens five years ago- an established Lorne institution for roughly thirty years. Situated in Lorne's "old precinct" by the Erskine River, Lorne Greens offers a large range of products in its rustic little store. Anything grown locally will end up on their shelves-beautiful artisan products including delicious cheeses, bread, wine, jams, chutney and more. With a plentiful range of imported wares, you'll also find Asian, African and European products to help make your special dish. Everything from Asofoetida to Za'atar, Lorne Greens is worth a visit.
Lorne Surf Shop was established in 1973. It has served as an icon on the Surfcoast as a Gateway to The Great Ocean Road. It remains one of the original, independently owned Surf Shops still stocking the best range of surf clothing and surf hardware available. Owned by surfers, it remains true to the philosophy that Surfing is a Lifestyle.
Live it. Love it. Surf it.
Precious Creatures, a children's clothing and toy store, opened its doors in 2005. In the years that followed the store expanded to include a full range of kid's sizes (000-8) housing brands such as Brightbots, Rhubarb, Oobi and Minymo.
Precious Creatures also stocks children's swimwear, perfect for a dip in the ocean across the road.
Toys and games are wonderful for the growing minds of children. Particular favourites of owners Caroline and Mark are Djeco, Manhatten Toy Company and Papo with its princes and princesses, dragons, fabulous creatures and castles.
Precious Creatures also look after your treasured dogs and cats stocking a range of collars and leads, brushes, balls and some Kong accessories (this line is currently being updated so stay tuned).
Precious Creatures has a play area for children to use while parents shop.
Nestled in the coastal village of Lorne, Surfcoast optical creates an idyllic location to discover the latest designer optical frames and sunglasses plus a genuine vintage retro eyewear collection labels featured include Prada, Versae, Vogue, Maui Jims and hand made Australian desings such as Jono Hennessy.
Bulk Biled eye testing service is available by appointment. Surfcoast Optical also offer a mobile service through out the otways and the surfcoast with expert advice to help select prescription and fashion frames that perfectly reflect the personality and requirements of each client.
Getting away from the homewares mainstream Tastes Lifestyle works its magic, allowing you to absorb everything that is tactile, design oriented and fragrant.
After baking goodies for shoppers in Kew, Melbourne; running a General Store on an island and then a cafe in Port Fairy, Sandy and David created a Lifestyle Store that has become a world of adventure.
Tastes Lifestyle stocks Alquema, Axel Mano, Corban and Blair, Jac and Jack, Helen Kaminski, Life with Bird, Papaya, Play Imports, Switch Sticks, Paris Mode, Zetta Florence and much, much more.