Things to See & Do
Great Ocean Road Journey
Car park options
- Erskine Falls car park (300m return walk to falls 1st lookout, 700 m to 2nd lookout)
Walking track information (Erskine River Track)
- Start: Erskine Falls car park
- Finish: Lorne
- Distance: 7.5 km one way
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Details
Erskine Falls is a short drive out of Lorne on appropriately named Erskine Falls Road. It is one of the most popular falls in the Otways and easily accessible. A five-minute walk from the car park brings you to a lookout of the falls, cascading 30 metres into a beautiful tree fern gullyYou also can take steps down to the Erskine River to view the falls from below. . Straw Falls are a 15m cascade on the Erskine River and are a further 400m downstreams of Erskine Falls. Experienced walkers can follow the river from Erksine Falls to Lorne. The 7.5km one-way walk takes about three hours and passes Straw Falls and Splitter Falls. It should not be attempted when water levels are high.
We are passionate about the ongoing sustainability of our community. We feel it is vitally important to support local people, local businesses and regional produce to ensure our small community of just 967 people continues to thrive. We don’t just say this, we live and breathe our passion and commitment to our community, daily.
We hope you visit us regularly and, if you don’t already, we would love you to Love Lorne as much as we do.
We recommend you sign up for our regular e-newsletter, Facebook and Twitter so we can keep you posted on the latest news. We’ll let you know when the whales are in town, what the weather’s doing and any must-see and do things going on around town. Really, we just want to make sure you feel a part of our extended family!
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Mailing list: www.lovelorne.com/join
Henderson Falls, The Canyon & Phantom Falls Car park options
- Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark, along Allenvale Rd (21/2 hours return walk to Phantom Falls)
- Allenvale Mill site, on Allenvale Road (90 minute return walk to Phantom Falls)
Walking track information
- Start: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark
- Finish: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark
- Distance: 6.5 km return
- Duration: 21/2 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Details
Henderson Falls, the Canyon and Phantom Falls are reached from the Sheoak Creek Picnic area, along Allenvale Rd. There are barbecue facilities, toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and drinking water. From the Canyon, you can return to Sheoak picnic area by the same track or continue on to Phantom Falls and then down to the Allenvale Mill carpark and along Allenvale Rd back to the Sheoak picnic area. On the way is also Won Wondha Falls. Henderson Falls is about 8 to10 meters, Panthom Falls about 15 meters high. The total distance of this circuit is around 9 km.
Car park options
- Sheoak picnic area carpark (2.5 hours walk to Lower Falls, 31/2 hours to Upper Falls)
Walking track information
- Start: Sheoak picnic area carpark
- Finish: Sheoak picnic area carpark
- Distance: Lower Falls – 6.5 km; Upper Falls – 8.5 km
- Duration: Lower Falls – 21/2 hours: Upper Falls – 31/2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
Details
The Sheoak picnic area, is a 4km drive from Lorne. The Kalimna falls are fringed by tall rainforest trees and dense tree ferns. The Lower Falls are not large, but you can get behind them and look out through the falling water to the large pool surrounded by mossy logs and rocks. The Upper Falls are a series of cascades viewed from a platform. The walk follows the route of an old tramway and some of the old sleepers can still be seen. The return walk to the picnic area can be made along Garvey track.
Car park options:
- Blanket Leaf picnic ground carpark (4 km return walk to the falls)
- Cora Lynn Cascades carpark (7 km return walk to the falls)
- Allenvale Mill carpark (8 km return walk to the falls)
Walking track information
- Start: Blanket Leaf picnic ground, off Erskine Falls Road
- Finish: Allenvale Mill car park
- Distance: 4 km return to Cora Lynn cascades, 12 km return to Allenvale Mill
- Duration: 2 hours to Cora Lynn cascades, 51/2 hours to Allenvale Mill
- Difficulty: Moderate (to Cora Lynn cascades), Strenuous (to Allenvale Mill)
Details
The Cora Lynn Cascades walk passes through fern gullies and rocky gorges to Cora Lynn Cascades (about 2 km from the picnic area). The next section (from the Cascades to the Cora Lynn carpark) is only for experienced walkers. From the carpark the track continues on to Phantom Falls to Allenvale Road. From here you can walk east along Allenvale Road then turn left onto the Green Break Track which joins up with Erskine Falls Road which leads back to the picnic area. Another option is to follow Saint George River from the Allenvale Mill site to the coast.
Food & Wine
St Anne's Vineyards is a family owned wine company that was established some 30 years ago in the Pentland Hills at Myrniong, Southern Victoria. Since its humble beginnings, the company has expanded and seen substantial vineyard development at Perricoota, Moama Southern NSW.
St Anne's Myrniong Vineyard was established by Allan & Shirley McLean in 1972. The extremely cool climate and high annual rainfall combine to form premium viticultural conditions. The vineyard at Myrniong is low yielding producing premium cool quality fruit.
Located 200km North of Myrniong, 250km Melbourne, St Anne's Perricoota Vineyards were established in 1994 by Allan and Shirley McLean. The ideal growing conditions combined with modern viticulture techniques are combined to produce premium quality fruit and in turn, premium quality wine.
The 21st century has seen St Anne's management passed down to second-generation family members seeking broader horizons and new challenges. We invite you to sample our product.
On your way through the bustling seaside town of Lorne you will come across a small boutique cafe and gift shop known as the Erskine River Trading Co. & River Tea House. Enjoy wholesome breakfasts and lunches, cakes, coffee and the best scones on the Great Ocean Road. All the while you can look for that perfect gift or even something to put in your own home.
The atmosphere evoked at the River Tea House comes from the simple beauty that flows from the ancient ritual of tea with more than 100 varieties of tea to choose from. There is also a variety of gourmet produce for sale.
Marks Restaurant, featured in the 2011 Good Food Guide and celebrating over 20 years on the Surf coast. Marks has become an icon destination on the Ocean Road.
Simple flavours, competent cooking, local produce whilst not turning our back on what the rest of the world has to offer. That's us.
Cuda Bar provides great food and great entertainment.
Situated in the middle of Mountjoy Parade in picturesque Lorne, Cuda Bar offers great views of Louttit Bay from both the extensive balcony and indoors. Whether drinking or dining, Cuda Bar promotes a casual atmosphere accompanied by live music and DJ's and coupled with a diverse food, wine and cocktail menu it leaves you spoilt for choice.
Drink or dine, inside or out, enjoy an afternoon or evening at Cuda Bar!
Darriwill Farm specialises in unique and exclusive gourmet food, giftware and boutique wines.
The world's finest produce and wines are sourced direct from the farm gate, making Darriwill Farm a favourite destination for lovers of the best things life in the country offers.
The retail stores are regular meeting place for people to catch up, enjoy a coffee and take in the latest range of freshly sourced goodies.
Upon visiting their stores you will not only receive friendly service, but ideas, handy tips and solutions from passionate and knowledgeable people.
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Beaches
The Cumberland River flows through a steep-sided, 200 m wide valley containing a flat, riverside reserve. It reaches the coast in an open, south-east facing bay.
The Great Ocean Road hugs the base of the bluff north of the river, then winds in to cross the river, before continuing south along the base of the bluffs.
There is a 150 m long beach immediately north of the river mouth, with the road forming its rear boundary. The river mouth beach is 250 m long and is crossed by the creek and backed by a low, grassy area. There is a car park just north of the bridge and a caravan park on the west side of the road.
The two beaches face south-east and are exposed to waves averaging 1.5 m. The waves interact with the sand and rock platforms to produce an 80 m wide surf zone. This is dominated by one permanent rip to the north, as well as rips against each end of the river mouth beach.
Swimming
Be very careful if swimming here, as rip feeder currents run the length of both beaches, with strong rips at either end of both beaches.
Surfing
There are reasonable beach breaks on both beaches, that work in low to moderate swell.
Fishing
This is a popular location with the choice of creek, creek mouth, beach and rock fishing, plus a caravan park next door.
General
A picturesque valley and beach with good access, but a hazardous surf.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Spaces: 30
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 7
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
The Cumberland River flows through a steep-sided, 200 m wide valley containing a flat, riverside reserve. It reaches the coast in an open, south-east facing bay.
The Great Ocean Road hugs the base of the bluff north of the river, then winds in to cross the river, before continuing south along the base of the bluffs.
There is a 150 m long beach immediately north of the river mouth, with the road forming its rear boundary. The river mouth beach is 250 m long and is crossed by the creek and backed by a low, grassy area. There is a car park just north of the bridge and a caravan park on the west side of the road.
The two beaches face south-east and are exposed to waves averaging 1.5 m. The waves interact with the sand and rock platforms to produce an 80 m wide surf zone. This is dominated by one permanent rip to the north, as well as rips against each end of the river mouth beach.
Swimming
Be very careful if swimming here, as rip feeder currents run the length of both beaches, with strong rips at either end of both beaches.
Surfing
There are reasonable beach breaks on both beaches, that work in low to moderate swell.
Fishing
This is a popular location with the choice of creek, creek mouth, beach and rock fishing, plus a caravan park next door.
General
A picturesque valley and beach with good access, but a hazardous surf.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Spaces: 40
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 7
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach
The wide ribbon of sand and gentle waves make Lorne Beach on Loutit Bay a perfect spot for swimmers, surfers and frolickers alike. The sand is only a short stroll from Mountjoy Parade, there are shower and toilet facilities and the beach is patrolled in Summer.
In the foreshore reserve area there is a children’s playground, swimming pool, skate park, trampoline hire and lots of open space for games and picnics.
With an international reputation as one of Australia’s best surf beaches, Bells Beach is amazing spot – either in the water or out. There isn’t much ‘beach’ at Bells, it’s mostly a glorious cliff-face, and views from the cliff-top car park are spectacular – a great spot to watch local surfers out in the water.
There are several quality surfing spots in the precinct from Southside to Steps Reef. Every Easter Bells Beach hosts the international professional surfing community for the Rip Curl Pro event.
To get to Bells Beach, travel along the Great Ocean Road past Jan Juc – turn left into Bells Boulevard and follow the signs.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 6
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
SURFING
Bells is a world class right when above 1.5 m. When smaller, the waves break close in to the headland and produce a right called Rincon. Further around the head are two more reef breaks which work below 2 m, called Centre Side (a right) and Southside (a left).
FISHING
The water is deep right off the beach, while at low tide you can fish from the reefs at each end.
GENERAL
One of the meccas of surfing and well worth a visit, if only to view the beach and surf from the bluffs.
CARPARK
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 200
We provide this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. We remind you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches.
Fishing
The best fishing spots in Lorne include Reedy Creek, Loutit Bay, Lorne Pier and Lorne Beach. There are also some opportunities for freshwater fishing in the hinterland areas.
Fishing licenses are available at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre.
The start of the famous ocean swimming race ‘The Pier to Pub’, the Lorne Pier is also a popular spot for fishing.
Garfish, salmon and barracouta are commonly caught here. The Lorne pier is at the Western end of Loutit Bay.
Museums, History and Heritage
The Grand Pacific Hotel
The Grand Pacific Hotel was built in the 1870’s as one of the first hotels along the Great Ocean Road. Victoria's Lieutenant-Governor declared the Great Ocean Road officially open at a ceremony near Lorne's Grand Pacific Hotel, the site where the project's first survey peg had also been hammered into the ground 14 years before.
The Pier became a new focal point for the town’s people, especially after 1879 when Henry Gwynne built the impressive three-storey Grand Pacific Hotel. Henry Gwynne suffered a serious blow-out of costs during construction and the estimated $12,000 ended up costing $24,000. Opening day for the hotel was January 1880, and Cobb and Co Coaches provided a special express service for early guests.
Originally it was accessed only by sea with superb views in one of the most unique settings on the coast, opposite the Lorne pier. It has been fully restored and now offers all modern services in a classic restored building.
Erskine House
Erskine House is of significant historical importance as the oldest guesthouse in Victoria and has been in continuous operation for 136 years. These days, the guesthouse is under redevelopment and is now known as Mantra Erskine on the Beach.
Cora Lynn
Lorne had two hotels and fifteen guesthouses in its heyday. The Cora Lynn was one of the last early guesthouses still to be seen after crossing the bridge. During 1998 the former Cora Lynn
guest house was developed into 26 units.
The two large statues are named Cora and Lynn. These statues were made by Graeme Wilkie from Qdos. The name Cora-Lynn came from a gentlemen by the name of “Hunt” who had a property in Deans Marsh named Cora-Lynn.
The Surf Coast has a long Koori history with various Wathaurong tribe clans living in the area for tens of thousands of years. White settlement began in the mid-1800s and soon overwhelmed the indigenous population.
Commercial and agricultural pursuits helped establish settlements along the coast, including Lorne, and inland.
A brief history
Prior to European settlement, the area was occupied by the Kolakngat Aborigines. Lorne is situated on a bay named after Captain Louttit, who sought shelter there in 1841 while supervising the retrieval of cargo from a nearby shipwreck.
The coast was surveyed five years later in 1846. The first European settler was William Lindsay, a timber-cutter who began felling the area in 1849. The first telegraph arrived in 1859. Subdivision began in 1869 and in 1871 the town was named after the Marquis of Lorne from Argyleshire in Scotland on the occasion of his marriage to one of Queen Victoria's daughters.
Rudyard Kipling
In 1891 the area was visited by Rudyard Kipling who was inspired to write the poem Flowers, which included the line:"Buy my hot-wood clematis, Buy a frond of fern, Gathered where the Erskine leaps Down the road to Lorne."
Kipling was one of the most popular writers in English, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) was a British author and poet, born in India, and best known today for his children's books
The Great Ocean Road connection
By 1922 the Great Ocean Road was extended to Lorne, making the town much more accessible. The first passenger service to Geelong was established in 1924 and guesthouses began to appear after 1930.
The Great Ocean Road which stretches along the South Eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Geelong, Lorne and Warrnambool is the world's biggest war memorial. It was built between World War I and World War II by returned servicemen in honour of their fallen comrades. The road took 16 years to build and it was all done by hand using picks, shovels and dynamite.
The Surf World Museum in Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital, celebrates the story of surfing.
It also charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Through the colourful and exciting permanent displays and temporary exhibitions of important surfing artefacts and memorabilia, the museum commemorates Australia’s fantastic surfing heritage and rich beach culture.
An unforgettable experience, Surf World provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes. It’s a place where you can experience or relive, surfing’s sense of fun, and marvel at the changes that have taken place over the years. We look forward to welcoming you.
Cycling
Lorne has four set rides. Ratings range from easy, for all ages on the flat, to hard in the steep hilly sections. With times from 30 minutes to three hours, and optional extensions, the rides cover the town, coast, bush and Erskine Falls.
The hills around Lorne provide a bit of a challenge, but you can enjoy a leisurely cycle around the main street and down to the pier. If you like a bit of a challenge, the Forests and Flowers Mountain Bike Ride is a moderate to hard circuit of 35km, with plenty of scenic rewards. The ride starts at the Lorne Visitor Information Centre with an almost 9km climb through the forest in its first section. Highlights include Erskine Falls and giant tree ferns.
The second, less-taxing section, follows the Benwerrin-Mt Sabine Road through the tall Otways forest. The final section is downhill run along Deans Marsh Road back to Lorne.
Queenscliff Bike Hire is located at Queenscliff Harbour in Victoria, Australia, approximately an hour and 30 minutes drive from Melbourne.
Bike hire is available for adults and kids. As well as optional trailer bikes and buggies for younger kids and toddlers. The bikes are brand new and are regularly maintained by their on site mechanic. Queenscliff bike hire can supply bikes for individuals or large groups and will deliver to the entire Bellarine area including Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. Discounts apply for long term hire, schools and groups of more than 10 people.
You can hire a bike for half a day, full day or even a week. There are plenty of fantastic places to ride. If you are in town for a short time, take a ride along the beach path which winds its way along Point Londsdale foreshore to the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. This is an easy eight kilometre round trip. If you have a bit more time then you may like to ride the Queenscliff to Drysdale rail trail, 16 kilometres one way.
Please visit our website of call to arrange a booking.
Family Activities
Mountjoy Parade is the main strip in Lorne, and is a great place for shopping with a view – the street overlooks Loutit Bay. There are loads of specialty stores, fashion boutiques, giftware, souvenirs as well as the pharmacy, post office and other services.
Doug and Leanne Campbell look forward to welcoming you and your family to Gentle Annie, their berry farm nestled in the picturesque Pennyroyal Valley near Deans Marsh. Spend time wandering the farm picking a variety of berries and orchard fruit, or simply drop in for a coffee and piece of cake, Devonshire tea, lunch or afternoon tea in the licensed cafe.
In the produce shop you will find a variety of Gentle Annie's jams, chutney's, sorbets and a selection of local produce.
Ride along pristine beaches and take in some of Australia's most beautiful coastal scenery.
Sunset rides are particularly special. Enjoy the exhilarating feeling of galloping along the sand with the wind in your hair or ride along coastal cliff tops in beautiful bushland settings.
Local trail riding company Blazing Saddles offers guided and instructional tours if you can’t BYO horse.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures - One Location two adventures. Located in Victoria's magnificent Otways providing visitors with a unique opportunity to view the forest from a bird's eye view through its two unique eco-adventure experiences, the famous Tree Top walk and Zip Line tour.
The Tree Top Walk - the longest and tallest elevated walk of its kind in the world. At 600 metres long and 30 metres above ground level. A 45 metre high lookout is ascended via a spiral stairway through the under story to emerge amongst the crowns of the giants of the forest, whilst the springboard cantilever bounces precariously high over picturesque Young's Creek.
The walk is a 1.9 kilometres round walk starting from the visitor centre and takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. The walk is full of quality interpretive panels educating our visitor on the forest and surrounds on display.
For the thrill seeker Zip lining is the perfect adrenaline fuelled activity where you can Zip across the treetops in this unique forest experience, gaining a bird's-eye view of Otways beautiful forests.
The Zip Line tour involves traversing from one platform to another connected by tree platforms called 'cloud stations', and attached so steel cable suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor.
This exciting adventure lasts 3 hours and is unlike any other experience, we recommend pre booking the Zip Line Tour via the Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures website.
The visitor centre is home to a licensed cafe which seats up to 100 people.
The car-park also provides for Campervans, Caravans and Coaches. Group bookings can be made and need to be booked in advance, guided tours and catering are available for these bookings.
Adventure
The Great Otway National Park is a spectacular area of native forest, and there are plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature with walking tracks and trails in the area, many leading to spectacular crashing waterfalls.
There are seven waterfalls within the bushland surrounding Lorne, with different accessibility levels – some are a quick ten minute stroll from the carpark, others are a more strenuous rainforest hike rewarded with the majestic roar of a waterfall.
CORA LYNN CASCADES
Car park options:
- Blanket Leaf picnic ground carpark (4 km return walk to the falls)
- Cora Lynn Cascades carpark (7 km return walk to the falls)
- Allenvale Mill carpark (8 km return walk to the falls)
Walking track information:
- Start: Blanket Leaf picnic ground, off Erskine Falls Road
- Finish: Allenvale Mill car park
- Distance: 4 km return to Cora Lynn cascades, 12 km return to
Allenvale Mill
- Duration: 2 hours to Cora Lynn cascades, 5 1/2 hours to Allenvale Mill
- Difficulty: Moderate (to Cora Lynn cascades), Strenuous (to Allenvale Mill)
Details:
The Cora Lynn Cascades walk passes through fern gullies and rocky gorges to Cora Lynn Cascades (about 2 km from the picnic area). The next section (from the Cascades to the Cora Lynn carpark) is only for experienced walkers. From the carpark the track continues on to Phantom Falls to Allenvale Road. From here you can walk east along Allenvale Road then turn left onto the Green Break Track which joins up with Erskine Falls Road which leads back to the picnic area. Another option is to follow Saint George River from the Allenvale Mill site to the coast.
ERSKINE FALLS & STRAW FALLS
Car park options:
- Erskine Falls car park (300m return walk to falls 1st lookout, 700 m to 2nd lookout)
Walking track information (Erskine River Track):
- Start: Erskine Falls car park
- Finish: Lorne
- Distance: 7.5 km one way
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Details:
Erskine Falls is a short drive out of Lorne on appropriately named Erskine Falls Road. It is one of the most popular falls in the Otways and easily accessible. A five-minute walk from the car park brings you to a lookout of the falls, cascading 30 metres into a beautiful tree fern gullyYou also can take steps down to the Erskine River to view the falls from below. . Straw Falls are a 15m cascade on the Erskine River and are a further 400m downstreams of Erskine Falls. Experienced walkers can follow the river from Erksine Falls to Lorne. The 7.5km one-way walk takes about three hours and passes Straw Falls and Splitter Falls. It should not be attempted when water levels are high.
HENDERSON FALLS, THE CANYON & PHANTOM FALLS
Car park options:
- Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark, along Allenvale Rd (21/2 hours return walk to Phantom Falls)
- Allenvale Mill site, on Allenvale Road (90 minute return walk to Phantom Falls)
Walking track information:
- Start: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark
- Finish: Sheoak Creek Picnic area carpark
- Distance: 6.5 km return
- Duration: 21/2 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Details:
Henderson Falls, the Canyon and Phantom Falls are reached from the Sheoak Creek Picnic area, along Allenvale Rd. There are barbecue facilities, toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and drinking water. From the Canyon, you can return to Sheoak picnic area by the same track or continue on to Phantom Falls and then down to the Allenvale Mill carpark and along Allenvale Rd back to the Sheoak picnic area. On the way is also Won Wondha Falls. Henderson Falls is about 8 to10 meters, Panthom Falls about 15 meters high. The total distance of this circuit is around 9 km.
KALIMNA FALLS (UPPER & LOWER FALLS)
Car park options:
- Sheoak picnic area carpark (2.5 hours walk to Lower Falls, 31/2 hours to Upper Falls)
Walking track information:
- Start: Sheoak picnic area carpark
- Finish: Sheoak picnic area carpark
- Distance: Lower Falls – 6.5 km; Upper Falls – 8.5 km
- Duration: Lower Falls – 21/2 hours: Upper Falls – 31/2 hou
At the end of George Street, Teddy’s Lookout offers spectacular views of the St. George River and the Great Ocean Road coastline. There is walking trail connecting Teddy’s Lookout with two other lookouts, and takes about 30 minutes return.
Nature & Wildlife
The Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay through to Princetown and up through the Otways hinterland towards Colac. The park features rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rock platforms and windswept heathland. In the north, the park features tall forests, ferny gullies, magnificent waterfalls and tranquil lakes.
Walking
The Great Ocean Walk, stretches 91 kms from the idyllic resort town of Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead (adjacent to the 12 Apostles). It passes through the National Park and overlooks the Marine National Park. The walk has been designed so that walkers can 'step on and step off' the trail at a number of places, completing short, day or overnight hikes.
Horse riding and mountain biking
Experience and enjoy the natural environment on horse back or on a mountain bike. A permit is required for horse riders to ride in the National Park and Parks Victoria staff can assist you with this. The formed roads and tracks provide ideal trails for these active endeavours.
Picnicking and camping
Picnic opportunities abound, with lovely settings at many of the waterfalls as well as Blanket Leaf, Sheoak, Distillery Creek, Moggs Creek, Paradise, Melba Gully, Shelly Beach, Triplet Falls and Blanket Bay to name a few.
There are excellent camping opportunities throughout the Parks. Whether you are looking for a family friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars there's something to cater to every need.
Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.
Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.
Car park options
- Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River (3 hours walk return)
- Sheoak picnic area carpark
Walking track information
- Start: Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River
- Finish: Picnic area carpark at the mouth of the Cumberland River
- Distance: 9 km return
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Details
About 6 km south of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road is a picnic area at the mouth of the Cumberland River. You can take the Cumberland Falls Walk by following the river for about 3 km past some excellent clifftop scenery to the Cumberland Cascades (not to be attempted when the river level is high). Return the way you came for nearly 1 km but then take the track on the left which follows a ridge north to Garveys Track. Turn right onto the latter but turn right again almost immediately onto the Sheoak Track to Castle Rock. From Castle Rock return along the track for a couple of hundred metres to the track junction and turn right. The track leads to Sheoak Falls then on to the Great Ocean Road carpark which can be followed back to the Cumberland River Reserve.
Romantic Getaway & Weddings
Endota Spa takes up two tempting resort spa locations in Lorne. The first, at the Cumberland Resort, is a four treatment room spa with a double room for couples treatments. Literally stroll across from Lorne Beach for endota and Dermalogica treatment facials, massage, body treatments and beauty therapy.
Single spa-goers and couples can also day spa at the Mantra Resort, where five treatment rooms - including one couples spa room - await. Rinse off any beachy salt spray, and tan the healthy way in the spray tan studios. An endota spray tan is organic, long-lasting and natural-looking.
In Lorne for life, or just lingering for the weekend - endota day spa is the spot for all facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and beauty services. Day spa your Lorne days away.
Only one hour from the Westgate Bridge you'll find Saltair Spa. Situated in a unique location, offering stunning views of Torquay's rolling hills and crystal blue waters. Calm your mind as you are cared for by the exceptional therapists and Indulge in a complete menu of day spa treatments and therapies. Derma-Cosmeceuticals Skincare is available using the latest Multi-spectrum imaging.
Try something new like an Indigenous Inspired Rhythmic Massage or a Facial Treatment using a combination of the purist Organic Bases and Pure Oxygen Gas. Captivate your senses while your stresses melt away in the Hydrotherapy Spa, Geisha Spa, Vichy Shower or Steam Sauna. Saltair treatments use only the highest quality aromatherapy oils, earth ochres, desert salts, ocean mineral polishers, moisturisers and elixirs used in the finest destination spas worldwide.
Saltair Spa uses and recommends Li'Tya Spa products. Capturing the potency of indigenous Australian plants, fruits, earth ochres, desert salts and sea plants, with each product depicting the wonder and beauty of the country. Li'Tya offers exquisitely pure health, beauty and wellbeing treatments - individually tailored to energise and beautify every part of your being.
Saltair Spa also use and recommend Heritage Healers Facial Treatments. Pure oxygen gas, in conjunction with vitamins and minerals, is used to nourish and revitalise the skin cells. With Heritage Healers 02 Oxygen Therapy they soothe away internal stress, then regenerate and boost the health of every skin cell with pure oxygen gas, plus essential vitamins and minerals. It is the most effective skin treatment program of its kind, designed to cleanse, nourish and revitalise every skin cell of the face, pore by pore.
Choose from body treatments, geisha tub, hydrotherapy, massage, facials, oxygen treatments, hand and foot treatments, Day Spa packages and Professional Skin Health Advice and treatments, spray tans, waxing and tinting.
Sightseeing
Whales have long known what we humans are just coming to realise – the Great Ocean Road is a wonderful spot for a winter break.
Sightings are most common during June, July and August, though whales have been spotted as early as February and as late as November.
On the migration from Antarctica – humpback whales pass Lorne en route to Queensland and southern right whales spend time on the sheltered Victorian coast to breed and raise calves.
To help land-based visitors make the most of this special time, a range of ‘Whale Watch’ initiatives are in place to provide notifications when whales have been spotted off the coast.
At Lorne, Wye River, Onion Bay and Apollo Bay, dedicated whale-sighting flags will be hoisted when a verified spotting of one or more of the massive creatures has been spotted nearby, letting people know to cast their eyes to sea for a chance at seeing them too.
The ‘Whale Watch’ blog on this site has a diary of confirmed sightings with times, locations, numbers and, where possible, breed of whale. Members of the public can use the blog to report a sighting in the region.
‘Whale Watch’ has hundreds of separate whale sightings reported each year, sometimes with up to six whales in a pod.
Theatre, Music and the Arts
IT’S OFFICIAL! Opera in the Otways is back for its fifth year with a programme that will delight opera lovers and new-comers, starring Jonathon Welch and Deborah Cheetham.
Jonathon Welch, a household name thanks to his inspirational leadership of the multi award-winning Choir of Hard Knocks, has prepared a program of great popular operatic arias, duets and ensembles by Verdi, Puccini and Mozart from La Traviata, La Bohème, La Rondine and The Marriage of Figaro.
The program will feature operatic tenor Jonathon Welch and soprano Deborah Cheetham performing popular songs and ensembles from three of the greatest music theatre and operetta composers in Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and Lehar’s Merry Widow.
The finale will feature excerpts from Deborah Cheetham’s enthralling Pecan Summer – Australia’s first Indigenous opera.
Tickets go on sale in early August. Join our mailing list or follow us on Twitter and we’ll keep you updated on Opera in the Otways.
Saturday 17th November 2 - 6pm
Surfing
Torquay lives and breathes surfing, and the region has a global reputation as an amazing surf destination. Bells Beach hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro, where the best surfers in the world compete each Easter.
Nearby Winkipop is also popular with experienced surfers. Torquay and Jan Juc offer good conditions for those wanting to learn to surf, and several schools operate classes at local beaches.
Surf conditions can vary greatly, check with the Visitor Information Centre or local Surf Life Saving Club.
The Great Ocean Walk
Climb to the top of mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse, Cape Otway Lightstation, 90 metres above the wild Southern Ocean, and see why many tragic shipwrecks occurred on this isolated and rugged coastline.
Immerse yourself in history with one of Australia's most important and recognisable lighthouses at your doorstep. Spectacular scenery, lighthouse tours, wildlife (koalas, wallabies and whales), rainforests, waterfalls and awesome sunsets will be highlights of your stay.
Cape Otway is an excellent location to base yourself, being central to Great Ocean Road and Great Otway National Park activities and walks.
Groups of up to 16 people can be accommodated in the heritage Head Lighthouse Keeper's cottage with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, open fires and fully self contained kitchen and laundry facilities. Two night minimum stays. The cottage is a wonderful retreat for families, walking groups or as a unique venue for get-togethers with friends.
The Manager's House is a fully self-contained, newly renovated property providing all the comforts of home, comfortably accommodating up to 15 guests. A great location for a house party, or place to relax after walking in the Otways, the Manager's House is filled with natural light.
Both properties have bed and breakfast options for smaller groups or couples.
The Lightstation also has a delightful café on site which is open daily. Relax over a great coffee and homemade scones, soaking up the views. The café is located in the original Assistant Lighthouse Keeper's cottage, right in front of the lighthouse.
Discover the coast on a 4WD Lightkeeper's Shipwreck Discovery Tour, which runs daily and with special offers for accommodation guests. Walk in the footsteps of lightkeepers and pioneers along the Great Ocean Walk with experienced and knowledgeable local guides.
Opera in the Otways - Saturday November 17, 2012 - see website for details.