Top 10 things to do at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road

Top 10 things to do in Lorne and on the Great Ocean Road

How many times has Monday rolled around and you’ve woken up feeling like it should be Sunday? Most of us don’t have the luxury of taking every Monday off, but every once in a while it’s worth rewarding yourself for all of your hard work.

There is a way to beat those Monday blues, and that's to turn your weekend into a three day (or longer!) extravaganza by taking a short escape to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

There's no time like the present, so pack the car (or hire one), make sure you've got all the kids in tow (or book that baby sitter!) and head away for a weekend you won't forget.

Everyone knows that part of a great holiday is staying somewhere new, somewhere a little special, and Mantra Lorne is just that kind of place for holidaymakers heading to the Great Ocean Road. With one of the oldest guest houses in the state, the history gives it plenty of character and offers guests a timeless place to spend a short holiday. It’s also the only beach-front hotel in Lorne and offers guests private access to the sparkling sands.

Here are our 10 top things to do in Lorne and Great Ocean Road attractions for a relaxing and exciting journey to this bucket list destination!

12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles are by far the biggest Great Ocean Road attraction. The dramatic limestone rock stacks rise up to 45 metres high above the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park. Formed by erosion, the pillars are an Australian icon and well worth the scenic 2 hour drive from Lorne. Port Campbell National Park is also home to Loch Ard Gorge and its famous shipwreck story as well as London Bridge – once connected to the mainland, but now an interesting rock formation isolated in the ocean.

The 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road

Airey’s Inlet and the Split Point Lighthouse
Located at the beginning of the Great Otway National Park and just a 20 minute drive from Lorne, this picturesque hamlet is famous for the majestic Split Point Lighthouse, which made an appearance in numerous television shows including the popular kids programme “Round the Twist”. It also boasts beautiful beaches and spectacular walking trails. Be sure to stop at the Great Memorial Arch – a commemoration to the surviving World War I servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road from 1918 to 1932, which is located about halfway between Lorne and Airey’s Inlet.

Split Point  Lighthouse at Airey’s Inlet
Great Memorial Arch

Torquay, Bells Beach and the Rip Curl Pro
The official starting point to the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is also Victoria’s surfing capital and home of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, part of the World Surf League’s (WSL) annual tour of surf competitions. If you’re there over Easter, join in on the excitement as the surfers compete for the coveted title. If not, there are plenty of other things to do in Torquay! Buy some new beachwear at Surf City Plaza, visit the Surf World Australian National Surfing Museum, stroll along the beautiful beaches or practice your swing at The Sands Golf Course.

Stairway to Bells Beach

Falls Festival and other Lorne Festivals
The annual Falls Festival takes place in Lorne each summer over New Year’s Eve and celebrates music and the arts like no other festival in Australia! Get your groove on with artists like Glass Animals, Liam Gallagher and Angus & Julia Stone.

From the opening night extravaganza to piano bar entertainment, the Lorne Festival of Performing Arts (FOPA) offers visitors a chance to enjoy a selection of live acts and performances, including comedy, cabaret, music and more. The 2018 festival is headlined by award-winning comedian Sammy J.

Lorne Festival

Teddy's Lookout
It might not look like much from afar, but Teddy's Lookout at the end of George Street is somewhat of a hidden treasure in Lorne. Walk out to the point on the newly constructed walkway for spectacular views of the Great Ocean Road coastline, or on the lower platform, enjoy stunning views of mountainous peaks and the Saint George River.

View from Teddy’s Lookout

Erskine Falls
No visit to Lorne is complete without visiting Erskine Falls. Walk just five minutes from the car park to the upper lookout for views of the majestic 30-metre falls, or head to the lower lookout, down 240 steps to the base of the falls, for a truly spectacular sight. For the more adventurous, try out the 7.5km Erskine River Track to the Straw Falls and Splitter Falls that will simply take your breath away.

Erskine Falls

Cape Otway
Cape Otway sits at the southern tip of Victoria’s west coast where the Bass Strait meets the Southern Ocean. Explore Great Otway National Park with its koalas, rainforests, waterfalls and beaches or tour the Cape Otway Lighthouse, the oldest standing lighthouse on the Australian mainland.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

Kennett River Koala Walk
The Kennett River Koala Walk is located just off of the Great Ocean Road in the small town of Kennett River. The dense eucalyptus forest here is home to hundreds of koalas and is one of the best places in Australia to spot the cuddly creatures in the wild.

Kennett River Koala Walk

Great Ocean Road Wineries
Wine lovers will adore the family-owned St Anne’s Winery. Located on Mount Joy Parade in Lorne, the cellar door is known for its delicious wines, gorgeous scenery and friendly staff. This is a great place to stop for a long and luxurious wine-tasting afternoon!

Bellbrae Estate Winery is situated just five minutes from Bells Beach and is the perfect place to wind down before a relaxing holiday on the Great Ocean Road. Visit the cellar door for wine tasting and a cheese platter in the beautiful gardens.

Bellbrae Estate Winery

Brae Restaurant, Birregurra
Set on a picturesque hillside on an organic farm in Birregurra (approximately 35 minutes inland from Lorne), Brae is a true dining destination. The menu changes each day, depending on what is harvested from the garden and orchard as well as nearby organic farms. Chef and owner Dan Hunter has won numerous awards including Chef of the Year 2016 in Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine; and Top Chef 2016 and 2017 in The Australian Financial Review’s Top Restaurants Awards. Brae has consistently remained one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Award-winning  cuisine at Brae

Lorne Accommodation
Occupying a prime position on the oceanfront, Mantra Lorne is a unique holiday spot on the famous Great Ocean Road. Stay in a modern hotel room or apartment or opt for a heritage room in the Erskine House.

Located onsite, The Larder restaurant is the perfect place for a hearty buffet breakfast or delicious dinner with locally sourced produce and a kids menu that’s sure to please.

With a day spa, putting green, croquet lawn, heated indoor pool, 4 tennis courts and private beach access, there's enough to enjoy here without going anywhere else!

Mantra Lorne
Apartment accommodation at Mantra Lorne
The Larder restaurant

Ready for that longgg weekend getaway? View our Lorne hotel deals here and book today.


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