Lorne Beach
Lorne is 140km southwest of Melbourne and 65km from Geelong. Right on the Great Ocean Road, it’s sandwiched between Eastern View Bay and Apollo Bay, so it’s the perfect halfway mark if you’re doing the coast.
The Mountjoy Parade stretch runs along the beach, with surf shops, Lorne cafes and bars, and the odd ice-cream van. Head west and you’ll hit Lorne Pier, great for fishing or watching the sunset paint Louttit Bay gold.
To the east, rainforest tracks lead to St George’s River, Phantom Falls, and Kalimna Falls – all within the Great Otway National Park and perfect for a cool off after a beach morning.
If you’re continuing your coastal road trip from here, check out Phillip Island Tours Australia – they know the route better than most and can tie your Lorne leg into a wildlife-packed southern loop.
About The Beach
This isn’t a wild surf break like Bells Beach – it’s calmer, friendlier, and perfect for families or first timers. The sand is clean and golden, the water is clear enough to see your toes, and the views? Marvellous views of the Bass Strait stretching out to the horizon.
You’ll see Point Grey to the south and North Lorne Beach to the north, both with quieter pockets if you prefer fewer umbrellas and more sea breeze.
Quick Facts
Here’s a quick cheat sheet if you’re planning your visit:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Location | Louttit Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria |
Length of beach | Approx. 1.2 km |
Beach type | Sheltered surf and swimming beach |
Lifesaving patrol | Yes – Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (Nov–Apr) |
Toilets & showers | Yes – near Lorne Surf Club |
Accessibility | Wheelchair ramps and beach matting are available in the summer |
Parking | Ample along Mountjoy Parade (paid in summer) |
Dog policy | Restricted in peak season |
Nearest major town | Geelong (65 km), Melbourne (140 km) |
Average water temp | 14°C in winter, 20°C in summer |
Peak season | December to March |
It’s the sort of place where you can set up a beach tent, go for a quick dip, and still smell the bacon from the brunch spots up the road.
Getting Your Bearings
The Mountjoy Parade stretch runs along the beach, with surf shops, Lorne cafes and bars, and the odd ice-cream van. Head west and you’ll hit Lorne Pier, great for fishing or watching the sunset paint Louttit Bay gold.
To the east, rainforest tracks lead to St George’s River, Phantom Falls, and Kalimna Falls – all within the Great Otway National Park and perfect for a cool off after a beach morning.
If you’re continuing your coastal road trip from here, check out Phillip Island Tours Australia – they know the route better than most and can tie your Lorne leg into a wildlife-packed southern loop.
The Weather Factor: Picking Your Season
Summer (Dec–Feb): Hot, busy, and alive. 25°C days, perfect for beach games and sunset BBQs.
Autumn (Mar–May): Still warm but quiet. Locals reckon it’s the best time to surf in Lorne.
Winter (Jun–Aug): Chilly but scenic. Rug up for cliff walks or hit the cafes for soup and local wines.
Spring (Sep–Nov): The Great Otway National Park comes alive, and whales sometimes cruise past offshore.
Here’s a Snapshot of the Local Climate:
| Month | Avg. Air Temp (°C) | Avg. Water Temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
January | 25 | 20 | 46 |
April | 19 | 17 | 75 |
July | 13 | 14 | 105 |
October | 18 | 16 | 80 |
Tip: If you’re after a quieter swim, get to the beach early in March. The light’s softer, the locals are friendlier, and you might even spot dolphins swimming just beyond the surf line.
Beach Highlights
Lorne Pier: Built for fishermen but perfect for photographers.
Foreshore Reserve: Dotted with BBQ facilities, picnic tables, and shady Norfolk pines.
Swing Bridge: Where the St George’s River meets the sea.
Lorne Sea Baths: Saltwater pools, hydro baths, and beach view spas.
Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre: A small but fascinating look at how this famous road was built by returned servicemen.
Surf, Swim, Sand Between Your Toes
Lorne’s surf break is as laid back as the town itself. Down near the Surf Life Saving Club, small to medium waves roll across a sandy bottom — perfect for learners or longboarders.
If you’re after bigger waves, head a few minutes west to Cathedral Rock, or to Wye River, or Bells Beach when the conditions are right.
Swimming is between the red and yellow flags. The lifesavers here know what they’re doing and aren’t shy about blowing the whistle if you drift too far down the bay.
You can hire boards and wetsuits right across from the foreshore, and most of the instructors are locals who’ve grown up surfing this stretch.
Sunset Dinner
There’s something about watching the sun go down over the Otways that makes a simple meal feel special.
The Lorne Hotel: Get a beer and sit on the deck.
Ipsos: Greek food meets Aussie coast.
Hah Lorne Beach: Great coffee by day, top cocktails by night.
Pizza Pizza: Casual, quick, and good for sandy feet.
If you’re going self-catering, grab supplies from the IGA, find a picnic table near the surf club, and let nature do the rest.
Local Wildlife
Step off the main strip and you’ll see Lorne’s just as much about the bush as the beach. Kookaburras laugh in the gums, rosellas raid café tables, and at dusk the odd koala ambles down from the hills.
Head inland to Erskine Falls or the Sheoak Picnic Area, and you might spot:
- Swamp wallabies grazing near the track edges.
- Echidnas snuffling through the leaf litter.
- Glow worms, if you stay after dark near the falls.
Just remember: they were here first. Don’t feed, chase, or crowd them for photos. And if you’re driving after dark, take it slow — kangaroos have terrible timing when it comes to crossing roads.
All Facilities at the Beach
You can tell Lorne Beach has been welcoming travellers for generations — everything’s set up to make life easy:
- Accessible pathways from Mountjoy Parade to the sand.
- Accessible beach matting and a beach wheelchair in summer.
- Free Wi-Fi across the foreshore.
- Outdoor seating areas with shade.
- BBQ facilities and picnic tables under the Norfolk pines.
- Outdoor showers, accessible bathrooms, and changing rooms near the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.
- Free parking along the foreshore (time-limited in summer).
And shops, Lorne Golf Course, and even a mini golf course behind the main street, so you’ve got a town that knows how to balance nature and convenience.
A Personal Yarn
I recall one autumn evening years ago when I finished a Great Ocean Road tour with a stop at Lorne. The group was knackered — sunburnt noses, sandy thongs, camera batteries dead. We grabbed takeaway fish and chips, found a log on the beach, and watched the light go out.
Then a pod of dolphins appeared — right on time, chasing baitfish through the bay. No one spoke for a minute. Not even the seagulls.
That’s the thing about Lorne Beach. It doesn’t try too hard. It just is. It’s the kind of place that reminds you travel isn’t about ticking boxes or posting reels — it’s about moments like that: salt in your hair, a yarn in your ear, and that Australian mix of calm and chaos.