Lorne Is Something Else
I've driven the Great Ocean Road more times than I can count, and every single time I round that final bend into Lorne, I feel it. That drop in the shoulders. That exhale. There's something about the way the Otways tumble right down to the beach here, the way the pier stretches out over those blue-green waves, the way the main street hums with people who are genuinely happy to be somewhere. Lorne earns it.
I've spent a lot of time photographing this stretch of coast, and Lorne keeps pulling me back. Every season it looks different. Every morning the light does something new. This guide covers the best things to do in Lorne, plus a few of the shots I'm most proud of from the area, in case you want to take a piece of it home.
The Best Things to Do in Lorne
Walk the Pier at Sunrise
Get up early and walk to the end of Lorne Pier before anyone else shows up. The water is usually glassy at that hour, the light is soft and warm, and you'll often have the whole thing to yourself. It's genuinely one of my favourite spots to photograph along the entire Surf Coast. The pier frames the bay perfectly and you get this incredible reflection off the water when conditions are right.
Swim at Lorne Main Beach
Lorne Main Beach is patrolled in summer and the water is usually calm enough for a proper swim. It's a long sandy stretch with good shade from the ti-trees at the back. If you want to go further, the walk south toward Louttit Bay is worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see all the way along the coast.
Hike to Erskine Falls
Most visitors to Lorne stick to the beach, which means the hinterland is surprisingly quiet. Erskine Falls is about a 20-minute drive from town (or a longer walk if you're keen), and the waterfall is genuinely worth it. The rainforest on the way in is cool and green even in summer. A solid hour return on foot once you're there.
Eat and Wander the Main Street
Lorne has proper food. Not just fish and chips (though those are great too). There are good cafes, a few excellent restaurants, and the kind of bakeries that make it very hard to keep walking. Doing things to do in Lorne on a long weekend almost always involves spending more time on the main street than planned.
Catch the Pier to Pub Swim
If you happen to be in Lorne in January, the Pier to Pub is the biggest open-water swim in the world and the atmosphere in town is electric. Even if you're not swimming, it's worth being there just to soak it up.
What I Photograph in Lorne
I've built up a solid collection of Lorne prints over multiple visits. Some were shot in the early morning from the beach looking back at the Otways. Others I got from the water, wading in with my camera to catch the waves breaking against the pier. A couple I shot from above with my drone on a still autumn morning, which gives you a completely different perspective on the bay.
My Lorne Art Print I is one of the ones I keep coming back to. The colour in the water that day was something I'd never quite seen there before and I knew when I was editing it that it had worked. It starts from $89 unframed, or you can get it in a classic timber frame ready to hang.
If you want a wider view of the bay, my Lorne Art Print IV captures that aerial sweep of the coastline that really gives you a sense of how Lorne sits between the hills and the sea. Customers often tell me it becomes the centrepiece of their living room, and I can see why.
Take Lorne Home With You
The thing I hear most from people who buy a Lorne print is that they look at it every day and it takes them straight back. One customer told me it lifts their mood every time they walk past it. That's exactly why I make these. Not to decorate a wall, but to keep a place alive in your home.
Every print is shot by me personally at the actual location. No stock imagery, no shortcuts. If you're buying a Lorne print from Local Breaks, you're getting a photograph I took at Lorne, printed on archival materials and, if you choose a framed option, built into a solid FSC certified timber frame with a 10-year warranty. Free shipping anywhere in Australia.
Browse the full Lorne collection and find the one that takes you back.
If you're still working out what format suits your space, this post on coastal art print vs canvas covers the main options in plain terms. And if you're not sure what size to go for, the size guide for coastal living rooms is a good starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Lorne on a weekend?
Walking the pier at sunrise is hard to beat for atmosphere, especially if the water is glassy. After that, Lorne Main Beach for a swim, the main street for food and coffee, and the Erskine Falls hike if you want to stretch your legs properly. That's a full and genuinely good weekend right there.
What Lorne wall art is available at Local Breaks?
I have six different Lorne art prints in the collection, all shot by me at various spots around the bay and pier. They're available as unframed prints from $89, or in classic framed, floating frame canvas, or shadow box framed options. All ship free anywhere in Australia.
What's the best size print for a living room feature wall?
For a feature wall, most people go for the L size (59.4x84.1cm) as a minimum, or the XL (84.1x118.9cm) if the wall can take it. The EPIC size at 100x150cm is a full 1.5 metres wide and makes a real statement. I have a full size guide at localbreaks.com.au/pages/size-guide-1 if you want help deciding.
Do you ship Lorne prints to all of Australia?
Yes, free shipping anywhere in Australia, no minimum order. Every print is made to order and printed and shipped from Victoria. There's no pickup option, but delivery is reliable and everything is packed carefully to arrive in perfect condition.
Lorne has been one of my favourite places to photograph since I started this whole thing. I hope one of these prints finds its way onto your wall and keeps that feeling going long after you've left.
