10 Things to do in Lorne (Includes Activities for Families with Kids)
Heading to the Great Ocean Road and not sure what to do in Lorne? There are so many things to do in Lorne for any type of traveller and we have compiled a range of activities for you all in one place. Of course, as we visit as a family, we have included some family friendly activities and things to do in Lorne with kids that parents will love as well!
Lorne, Victoria – Your base on the Great Ocean Road
Lorne is a two-hour drive from Melbourne, situated on the world-famous Great Ocean Road. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Victoria.
Avoid the bus tour traffic and stop in Lorne to enjoy the views, the surf, the art and the natural splendour which surrounds this exciting seaside town.
From the epic views from Teddy’s Lookout, the friendly koalas and ten waterfalls within 10km of the town – there are endless possibilities to play, picnic and paddle. With so many things to do in Lorne, whether you have a week or just an afternoon, the entire family will return with unforgettable memories from their time here.
10 Things to do in Lorne with kids or without
Below you can find a list of things to do in Lorne. These activities in Lorne can be fun for any type of traveller!
1. Enjoy the views at Teddy’s Lookout
Teddy’s Lookout is one of the best things to do in Lorne for sweeping views of the Great Ocean Road. Located at the end of George Street, park up and enjoy the beautiful vistas from the newly constructed platform. Spot wildlife, capture photographs of the rugged coastline and admire the views as the surf meets the Saint George River.
2. Wildlife Spotting
One of the best things to do in Lorne with kids is spotting the wildlife! But most adults will love it too.
Koalas: On your drive back from Teddy’s Lookout, keep your eyes peeled for koalas as it is not uncommon to see them waddling the streets of Lorne. If you are determined to see koalas near Melbourne, take a 30-minute drive from Lorne to Kennett River which is considered the koala capital of Victoria.
Platypus: If you have time, head to Lake Elizabeth (50 minutes from Lorne) to spot one of Australia’s most elusive creatures – the platypus. Wait for ripples on the lake’s surface as a sign the platypus has popped up for air – and to say hello!
Whales: If you are visiting Lorne between May and early October you’ll likely spot humpbacks, Southern right whales, orcas and blue whales as they migrate from the cool waters of Antarctica to the warmer coasts of Australia. Best of all, the whales can be seen within 100 metres of the shore – providing hours of entertainment for the whole family.
3. Go Chasing Waterfalls
There are many waterfalls in Lorne that are family-friendly thanks to easy walkways, short trails and exciting flora and fauna to see on route. Two of the most popular are:
Erskine Falls
Thanks to a super short 5-minute walk from the car park to the viewpoint, Erskine Falls are the most accessible waterfalls in Lorne. You can admire the 30-metre cascades from here or head down the 240 steps to the lower lookout and admire Erskine Falls from below.
Henderson Falls & Won Wondah Falls
A further favourite thing to do in Lorne with kids is to explore the calm trail to Henderson Falls, passing Won Wondah falls on the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the gigantic eucalyptus tree that marks the entrance to Won Wondah before continuing the easy 3.6km trail through a luscious fern gully to Henderson Falls.
Recommended: 10 Waterfalls in Lorne you must see
4. Paddle & Play at Lorne Sea Baths
The Lorne Sea baths are guaranteed to be a family favourite thanks to its bumper boats, aqua orbs, water activities and seawater pools. There are even trampolines, mini-golf, a cannon blaster and café for those who forgot the swimming togs. There’s plenty of fun for adults too as you can relax in the salt therapy room, hydro baths, yoga classes and steam room.
5. Stroll along Australia’s Most Famous Pier
If you are looking for things to do in Lorne in January, Lorne Pier is home to one of Great Ocean Road’s biggest events – the pier to pub swim. Attracting over 4000 competitors (and even more spectators) it is the world’s largest open water swim.
Other times of the year, the pier is a popular fishing spot and a beautiful place for an afternoon stroll with the entire family. It was awarded an Engineering Excellence award in 2007 for its captivating design making Lorne Pier well worth a visit.
6. Learn to Surf
Thanks to Lorne’s flat beach and gentle waves, it’s one of the safest places along the Great Ocean Road to learn to surf. Go Ride a Wave surf school has been operating in the area for over 30 years, and they specialise in beginner and children’s lessons.
Lessons can be booked online with a fun with a qualified surf instructor as well as board and wetsuit hire. The lessons take place at Lorne Point, which is a long, gently sloping beach, making it ideal for beginners and young children.
7. Explore Lorne’s Beaches
You don’t need to ride the waves to appreciate Lorne’s stunning coastline. Lorne Main Beach is the perfect place to let children run free or paddle in the waves with lifeguards on duty during the Summer months. Alternatively, relax in the sheltered waters of Loutit Bay or kids will love a rockpool ramble at Shelley Beach.
8. Whizz Through The Tree Tops At Live Wire Treetop Adventures
For adrenaline junkies and adventurous families, Live Wire Park is the best thing to do in Lorne for a fun-fuelled afternoon. Home to Australia’s most extreme zip line as well as rope course routes, a treetop canopy circuit and even a little one’s course designed for children.
Explore the natural surroundings in a thrilling and unforgettable way as you climb, wander and whizz through this epic park. The park offers various packages & discounts for families which can be booked online.
9. Admire the sculptures at QDOS Art Gallery
Qdos Art Gallery is not only a fabulous place to stop for some coffee and cake (or local wine if you’d prefer) while admiring the art, but it offers a tranquil sculpture park, complete with towering eucalyptus and a ‘Monet’ style pond frequented by birds and wildlife.
The gallery’s gardens even have Japanese-inspired treehouses which you can book for the night! The gallery is open seven days a week and is only 5 minutes from Teddy’s Lookout and a 15-minute walk from Lorne beach.
10. Learn the history of Great Ocean Road at Lorne Visitor Centre
Looking for things to do in Lorne on a rainy day? Although the Great Ocean Road is famous worldwide for its stunning views, wildlife and natural landmarks, the history of the road is not as well known. The Great Ocean Road is, in fact, a memorial in honour of the lives lost in World War One.
In 1919 over 3000 returned soldiers began building the road, conquering treacherous terrain, steep cliff faces and dangerous weather so the isolated towns (like Lorne) could be linked. One of the best things to do in Lorne is to learn more about the road’s fascinating history at the Lorne Visitor Centre, in the informative exhibition The Great Ocean Road Story. The exhibit is free to enter and is open daily between 9am and 5pm.
When to visit Lorne
Lorne is a great place to visit any time of year, however being on the coast, and having so many water activities, Summer time is the most popular time of the year. Not surprisingly though, Winter time still attracts many surfers, and you can see them in the water all year round.
December – February is the peak period, where accommodation will be more expensive, especially over the Christmas holidays.
October – November & March – April are the shoulder seasons. The weather is still nice and pleasant and you will probably still get some beach weather. You can find some good accommodation deals during this time too.
May – September are the colder months, peaking in the Winter (June – August). Accommodation will be the cheapest during this time. If you don’t mind the cold, it can still be a nice time to visit Lorne, however it can get quite windy along the coast.
What to do in Lorne!
Thanks to the numerous things to do in Lorne with kids or without, you are guaranteed a fun-filled adventure regardless of age. From the adrenaline fuelled zipline to the myriad of wildlife and waterfalls, Lorne will prove to be an unforgettable trip for the entire family. Let us know if you have any other favourite things to do in Lorne with kids.
If you have time make sure you check out our full Great Ocean Road Guide, and our other post on Things to do in Apollo Bay which isn’t too far away. If you are a camper, take a look at these Free camping spots on the Great Ocean Road. Also, we specialise in providing content on family friendly things to see and do in Melbourne. Follow us on FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM for more inspiration!
