Lorne – Quiet Or Riot, The Ideal Vacation Location For You
Just 140 kilometres, two hours drive, from Melbourne is Lorne, Australia. The city is on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. The mild weather helps make Lorne a popular vacation choice.
This city is tourist equipped with many high class resorts. The Mantra Erskine Beach Resort is set on the beachfront, complete with gardens and a historic guesthouse. A day spa adds relaxation and comfort to the Cumberland Lorne Resort. Ocean views in a restored hotel are available in the Grand Pacific.
There are other Lorne accommodation options. The Lemonade Creek Cottages are surrounded by temperate rain-forest. Many of these cottages are available. Motels, villas, and bed and breakfasts are part of the town, as in most tourist sites. Some may go for convenient locations only a few minutes from the beach and shopping centres. There is even a pet-friendly location, Red Paws of Lorne.
The Great Ocean Road is a famous tourist route. It starts in Torquay and goes 243 kilometres to Warrnambool. The road is both transportation route and war memorial; it was dedicated to the casualties of World War I. Lorne has favourable access to the road which lets tourist use it as a headquarters and still explore the surrounding coastal towns.
The resident population of the town is less than 1000. It is usually quiet. For most of the year, this makes it a good place to escape. There are a lot of nature exploration opportunities for any visitor. The flora and fauna add a beautiful backdrop for picnics and hikes. The Erskine Falls and Otways National Park are great options nearby, but there are smaller local parks, too.
The city has all the beauty and benefits of a seaside town. Beaches and cafes are popular places to visit. Check out the spas for those who need a relaxing break from vacationing. Shopping or cruising an art gallery are great ways to spend the day. The fish market can add that special local flavour to your day.
The pace changes in Lorne when the city becomes part of a series of different endurance events. It is one end of the Great Ocean Road Marathon. The race runs 45 kilometres along the road. The Pier to Pub Swim and the Mountain to Surf Run also attract a crowd. Golf and other sports are available at the country club and elsewhere. Surfing in the area can be another fun escape.
Once a year the city comes to life as the crowds pour in for the Falls Festival. It starts on the 28th of December and ends on New Years Day. The festival tradition began in 1993 with only a small concert. It grew each year. Starting in 2007, the festival hosted over fifty artists. The festival attendees camp out near the venue or just a little bit away. The tickets go from $30 to $300 depending on dates and camping.
This site has many historic buildings to explore. The Pacific Hotel at Mountjoy Parade dates back to 1879 and is built of old brick. St. Cuthbert Presbyterian Church dates back to the late 1800s. Erskine House is from that era as well, and offers extensive gardens. It has its own accommodation centre. Check out the Lorne Historical Society Museum is worth the time, too.
