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For most people, the whole point of visiting Lorne on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is to do as little as possible!
However, this bustling coastal centre — located just two hours’ drive from Melbourne — offers plenty to keep active holidaymakers entertained. Hiking, biking, beachy pursuits, and easy access to Great Otway National Park and many other attractions along the Great Ocean Road make this a beaut holiday base.
Lorne is also the ideal destination for those looking to combine a quintessential beach getaway with the creature comforts of the big smoke. It offers no end of sophisticated accommodation options, and has an upscale food and wine scene. Beware though — this town may make you want to ditch city life altogether in favour of permanent seaside Zen!
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Lorne.
Watch our video of ten top things to do on the Great Ocean Road:
Top 10 Things to Do on the GREAT OCEAN ROAD, Victoria, Australia, 2026 | Ultimate Road Trip Guide
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1. Drive the Great Ocean Road
Stretching 243 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford, the Great Ocean Road tracks Victoria’s rugged southern coastline. It’s one of the most spectacular drives in Australia — and while busloads of tourists do the return trip from Melbourne in a single day, staying in Lorne means you’ll have time to enjoy the drive at your leisure. It culminates in Port Campbell National Park — home to the must-see 12 Apostles rock formations.
2. Pause for reflection at Memorial Arch
The Great Ocean Road was constructed entirely by returned World War I servicemen to commemorate those who lost their lives in the conflict, and is recognised as the world’s largest war memorial. As you approach Lorne from the north, pull over at Memorial Arch to learn more about the route’s construction and pay your respects to the fallen.
3. Hit the beach
It would be remiss to visit Lorne without getting in some towel time on the beach. The main beachfront is really stunning and comes complete with trampolines, a public swimming pool, and a skate park. It gets busy in summer, so get in early to reserve your patch of sand. If you’re in need of a beach read, head up to Lorne Books on the strip. HAH Lorne Beach hires out surfboards, boogie boards, and SUPs (stand up paddle boards).
4. Visit Erskine Falls
Just ten minute’s drive from Lorne, Erskine Falls is the perfect spot to escape the tourist hubbub in town. Venture down the mossy steps for a breathtaking view of the waterfall cascading over its rocky precipice. The surrounding bushland setting cocoons visitors from the outside world, and will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
5. Enjoy breakfast at a cool cafe
Lorne is renowned for its cafe culture and there are plenty of options for breakfast or a coffee after your morning walk. Try Swing Bridge Cafe for eats with a beach view, Moon Licensed Espresso Bar for awesome coffee, and HAH Lorne Beach for an extra healthy start to the day.
6. Get a dose of coastal retail therapy
Shop ‘til you drop — well, for a couple of hours at least — along Lorne’s main strip, which has a great selection of independent boutiques. Drop by Vic and Bert for quality designer basics, Midi Boutique for all the latest trends, or Deluxe Lorne for an indulgent splurge.
7. Snap a selfie at Teddy’s Lookout
Three kilometres south of town, you’ll find one of the region’s best vantage points. Teddy’s Lookout provides sweeping vistas of land and sea, along with a bird’s-eye view of the Great Ocean Road far below. Watch vehicles slowly wind their way around the cliff-hugging twists and turns. This is prime selfie territory!
8. Do a wine tasting
Lorne sits on the edge of Victoria’s esteemed Henty wine region and you don’t have to go far to try some top drops. St Anne’s Winery has a cellar door right in the town centre and offers free tastings. From there, it’s just a 25-minute drive along tranquil tree-lined roads to Blake Wines (open seasonally), and 40 minutes to celebrated Bellbrae Estate. Just remember to lock in a designated driver!
9. Go for a hike
Walking is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in more of the surrounding region’s verdant natural beauty, so pack those hiking boots! Sheoak Falls Picnic Area is the starting point for several easy trails, along with the moderately difficult Cumberland and Kalimna Falls Loop. Hardcore hikers may want to tackle the eight-hour, 30-kilometre Lorne Waterfalls Circuit (which also departs from Sheoak). Whichever walk you choose to do — carry plenty of water and let someone know of your plans.
10. Cycle the Great Ocean Road
If you’re up for more exercise, consider cycling a section of the Great Ocean Road! The popular 50-kilometre stretch from Lorne to Apollo Bay (around 2.5 hours each way) will definitely test your metal, while pedalling to closer Kennett River will take you about an hour each way. It’s home to a colony of photogenic koalas and you can refuel for the return trip at Kafe Koala. Rent My Bike will arrange delivery of a pair of wheels to your Lorne accommodation. Take care on the road and enjoy this epic outdoor experience!
For more travel inspiration, visit www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.
Browse our range of Great Ocean Road tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the best things to do in Lorne? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Elle Vidovich is a freelance writer based in Melbourne with a love of travel, food, and architecture. She has visited more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, and believes that travel can change a person. It can open their eyes to different ways of life, make them thankful for what they have, and inspire them to make a difference.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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