Lorne, Great Ocean Road

Lorne is a town located in the southern coast of Victoria, facing the Louttit Bay and near the mouth of the Erskine River. It is a popular destination for those who wish to enjoy their holidays by the beach. The town was named after the Marquis of Lorne, in honor of his marriage to one of Queen Victoria's daughter in 1871.

Needless to say, the town's main beach is one of its most popular attractions. The northern end of the beach is a preferred destination for avid surfers, while the southern end, being more sheltered, is where families head out to for swimming and snorkeling. However, the entire beach is quite ideal for fishing and picnics. The beach borders the Foreshore Reserve, which features picnic areas, facilities for barbecues, a swimming pool, and a playground. All these amenities have made the reserve one of the preferred outdoor destinations of the town. Those who wish to go boating can go to the southern part of Lorne, where there's a jetty and a boat ramp.

Lorne has been the site of several shipwrecks in the later part of the 19th century and visitors can explore them by following the Shipwreck Walk, which leads them along the coastline. There are several plaques along the way that provides information on these shipwrecks.

The town is also replete with old buildings that bear witness to its history. The Erskine House, whose original structure was built in 1865, became a hotel in 1868. The building, located along Mountjoy Parade, also served as a post office and a church. There are also several historic churches in Lorne, including the St. Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church, also on Mountjoy Parade, which was constructed in the later part of the 19th century. A similar building, the All Saints Church of England, was built in 1880.

The Angahook-Lorne State Park is an expansive outdoor destination that features coastal beaches, coves, rock cliffs, rivers, and streams. Camping is allowed in designated areas and picnics are also done in several spots. The park can also be explored aboard four wheel drives though most areas can only be truly enjoyed by walking.

And if this destination isn't enough, visitors can also head out to the Great Otway National Park, where facilities for picnics and camping are available. Horse riding and mountain biking are also permitted, to allow visitors to see some of the park's highlights, such as waterfalls, heath lands, forests, and woodlands.

For spectacular views of the coastline and hinterland, visitors can go to Teddy's Lookout, located in the outskirts of the town along George Street. There are also several lookouts along the Great Ocean Road, including the Cinema Point, the Cathedral Rocks Lookout, and the Mount Defiance Lookout.

There are several community events held each year in Lorne that are participated by locals and visitors. The Pier to Pub swimming event is held every January and is one of the more popular sports events in the area.

Lorne also plays host to the Falls Festival, held from December 29 to New Year's Day. The festival includes several music performances, with most of the guest camping out in the nearby beaches.

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