Lorne Beach

Lorne sits on the Great Ocean Road about 75 minutes from Geelong by car — simply follow the B100 coastal route and you'll arrive at Mountjoy Parade, which runs directly alongside the beach. A bus service from Geelong Railway Station runs five times daily and takes around 98 minutes, making it viable without a car. Paid parking operates on Mountjoy Parade during peak season; free parking is available on side streets and at Lorne Country Club, which offers a shuttle service to the beach. There is no entry fee to access the beach itself.

The timber pier is worth a stroll at any time of day, offering elevated views back along the golden shoreline and out to open water. A short drive inland — about 9 kilometres — brings you to Erskine Falls, a 30-metre waterfall in the Otway Ranges reachable by a short walk and well worth the detour. Teddy's Lookout, just 2 kilometres from the beach, delivers clifftop panoramic views of the bay and the Great Ocean Road snaking along the coast. Koala-spotters should note that Kennett River, about 12 kilometres along the road, offers reliable sightings in roadside grey gums.

Maple Tree Lorne Seafood Restaurant, Lorne Beach Pavillion, Pit Stop Lorne, and Almyra are all within 300 metres of the sand, giving you solid options from casual bites to sit-down meals without straying far. Mexican Republic is just 400 metres away if you want something different after a long beach day. You won't go hungry here — full town amenities mean food is never more than a short walk from your towel.

Cumberland Lorne Resort and Movida Lorne are both within 200 metres of the beach, making them the most convenient bases for an early morning swim before the day-trippers arrive. Comfort Inn Lorne is equally close and offers a more budget-conscious option. Grand Pacific Hotel, about 900 metres away, adds a classic coastal hotel feel to the mix.

The timber pier at golden hour frames the Otway Ranges backdrop beautifully — shoot from the beach looking south-west for the best light in the late afternoon. Early morning is ideal for capturing the turquoise water and golden sand without figures in the frame; the Erskine River mouth also makes a compelling foreground element at low tide.

Always swim between the flags when patrol is active — rips form near the Erskine River mouth and around the pier, and these are genuine hazards, not just cautionary boilerplate. Surf Lifesaving patrol runs from November to April (volunteer) and late November through late January (professional lifeguards), so outside those windows you're swimming unpatrolled. Dogs are prohibited on patrolled beach sections throughout summer, so leave them at the accommodation. If you're visiting in December or January, arrive early on weekdays — weekend parking becomes extremely difficult and the beach reaches peak capacity.