Introducing guest blogger Vicki from Great Ocean Road Guide
Around 2 hours drive from Melbourne, and 1 hour along the Great Ocean Road, sits the once-sleepy seaside village of Lorne. Today it is one of the most popular towns on the road for day-trippers, and with its array of cafes and restaurants serving up delicious local produce, makes for a natural lunch stop on the way to the world-famous 12 Apostles.
However it’s the things to do in and around the town, in addition to the easy access to the top Great Ocean Road attractions, that make it the perfect place for families to stay on this stunning stretch of rugged coastline.
This post is part of our Explore My City series – come and visit cities around the world through the eyes of locals
Top 8 Things to do in Lorne with Kids
Pick Your Own Fruit at Gentle Annie Berry Gardens
Just behind the hustle and bustle of Lorne, the Gentle Annie Berry Farm is a pick-your-own berry farm nestled in the midst of the picturesque Pennyroyal Valley. Kids will enjoy filling up their baskets with fresh fruit – and maybe even help you cook them up in the kitchen later!
Waterfall Hikes
Lorne has a whopping 10 waterfalls within a 10 minute drive of the town centre, perfect for exploring and getting the kids out into nature. From the popular Erskine Falls – a 30m cascade of water with viewing platforms at the top and the bottom, to the the 3km round trip hike to Beauchamp Falls or a full 8km Kalimna Trail which takes you past upper and lower Kalimna Falls and through the stunning Otway Ranges.
And if you’d prefer a less strenuous alternative, take a look at our complete guide to the Waterfalls on the Great Ocean Road and find out which ones are closest to the carparks!
Enjoy a Surf Lesson on Lorne Main Beach
Running parallel to the Great Ocean Road, and extending for approximately two kilometres there is plenty of pristine beach for relaxing and picnicking. It is also an ideal surfing location for those wanting to hop on a board for the first time – as long as they are not scared of a little bit of cold water! The Southern Ocean has a reputation for being a little bit on the chilly side – which is refreshing in summer, but can be enough to make your toes curl in winter!
Rockpooling
At the end of Lorne Main Beach, there are plenty of rockpools for kids to scramble about in in search of sea creatures. Just remember, appropriate footwear will help avoid cuts and scrapes, and anything that is picked up should be replaced after they’ve had a quick look. It you’re unsure, here’s a quick guide to rockpooling to get you started.
Skate Park
Opened in 2005, Lorne Skate Park is a community lead initiative sponsored by the Lions Club of Lorne. With a street course and both a deep and shallow bowl, the Skate Park in Lorne Victoria is a great area for kids to let off some steam and is suitable for skaters of all abilities.
Lorne Sea Baths
Lorne Sea Baths are a great place to spend the day for the whole family. Offering a range of wellness facilities for parents such as Hydrotherapy, Salt Therapy, Yoga & Massage, there are a heap of activities to keep the kids entertained too. From trampolines to bumper boats and even mini-golf, there’s hours of entertainment to be had.
Zip Through the Trees at Live Wire Park
What could be better than flying through the trees on a zipwire adventure course?! Live Wire Park describes themself as an amusement park in nature – and they’re not wrong! Blending the thrill of ‘rides’ with the great outdoors, and challenging kids big and small with obstacle courses featuring treetop cargo climbs, a rock climbing wall, and several speedy zip line courses throughout the forest.
It is certainly one of the most expensive things to do on this list, but will easily be one of the most memorable – and after expending all that energy, they’ll be sure to sleep like logs!
Koalas & Glow Worm Spotting @ Kennett River
Just a short 30 minute drive from Lorne, the Grey River Picnic Area is the a great place to spot glowworms and the Grey River Road is a well known wild koala spotting hotspot. It is best to head there in the early evening if you want to catch sight of both animals – the koalas in daylight, and the glowworms after dusk.
From Kennett River, turn off on Grey River Road and drive for around 6 km, keeping an eye out for koalas on the way, until you reach the Grey River Picnic Area. Once it gets dark enough, walk back along the road you came in on and cross the bridge. If conditions are right, you’ll see thousands of tiny glowing dots emerge on the embankments surrounding the bridge.
About the Blogger
Hi, I’m Vicki. A Brit who migrated to Australia in 2012, Melbourne is my home, the Great Ocean Road is my backyard and my aim is to share everything that is great about the region and show that it is more than just a quick (albeit iconic) road trip.
You can keep up with Vicki’s Australian adventures and learn more about Australia’s famous Great Ocean Road here:
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With thanks to Vicki for her contribution to our guest series. You may also like to read more about exploring Melbourne with kids, or check out the best of Bendigo with kids.
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