Lorne, a resort for all seasons

Set between the sparkling waters of Loutit Bay and beautiful forests of the Otway Ranges, Lorne has a special charm. Add mild weather, the cafe culture and fascinating shops, and it's no wonder Lorne is one of the region's most popular holiday destination

Lorne

The rich rainforest of the Otways begins in the valleys behind Lorne that are flush with tree ferns, sparkling brooks and waterfalls.

Lorne's Point Grey protects the town more than any other on this coast, from the prevailing south westerly weather.

The town's average temperature is five degrees Celsius warmer than Melbourne's in winter and five degrees cooler in summer. Like many of the great towns around the world, Lorne faces the rising sun. The Aireys Inlet lighthouse frames the north-easterly view. The sheltered two kilometre long beach is safer than most beaches on the coast and is surrounded by lawn, gum trees and picnic and barbecue areas. It is watched over by a surf life saving club and the many cafes, bars and restaurants along busy Mountjoy Parade.

Lorne is close enough to Melbourne to be one of the most popular holiday destinations on the coast. At last count there were two hotels, six motels and over 170 B&Bs, cottages, flats and units. A pier and small boat ramp at the end of the point run out into Louttit Bay and a fish shop supplies good fresh fish.
There is a short and hilly but charming golf course, a cinema, a hospital and a well staffed tourist information centre. There are many things to explore in the hills behind town including Teddy’s Lookout, a sculpture park and gallery in a bush amphitheatre, and a superb array of short and long waterfall walks.

A brief history

The first inhabitants were probably timber cutters who camped in the short scrub near the beach and worked the steep slopes for timber. In 1853, J.Herd crossed the Otways and built a cattle station that ran from Grassy Creek to the Cumberland River.

In 1864, the three Mountjoy brothers bought the property and worked the run until wild dogs and losses forced them to abandon it. It was not until 1880 that tourists began visiting the town for its superb scenery. In the 1880s, the Mountjoys built a hut that eventually became the Erskine House guesthouse.

The school opened in 1878, the Pacific Hotel in 1879, and the first church (Of England) in 1880. Services such as a hall, a library, electric light and telephones were installed around 1900 and Lorne began to grow as a leading holiday resort. The opening of the Great Ocean Road in 1924 accelerated this growth and every improvement of the road brought more annual holidaymakers to the town. A number of schooners and ketches ran aground in Louttit Bay.

After the Second World War, Lorne became one of the most fashionable tourist resorts in Victoria. Bathing boxes lined the foreshore. Restaurants on Mountjoy Parade served the growing tourist population. The Lorne Cricket club was formed in 1890, the football club in 1896, a golf club was formed in 1954, and a tennis club in 1977.

During the 1960s, the countless guesthouses gave way to caravan parks and to new motels and private holiday cottages. Holiday homes were built continually as the resort’s beauty attracted more and more people from Melbourne.