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Lorne is a pretty coastal town on the shores of Louttit Bay near the beginning of The Great Ocean Road, about two hours from Melbourne.
Being right in the heart of the Great Ocean Road, it was our favorite town to stay in along the scenic road trip.
It has a unique environment where the beach meets the rainforest, with the Otway Mountains surrounding the town and forming a distinctive micro-climate which brings unique flora and fauna to the region.
I was surprised at how pretty it was and I knew it was a place to return one day for a much longer stay.
But when it comes to where to stay in Lorne, there can be no doubt about where you should rest your head. The Mantra Lorne Hotel is a modern, apartment rental in the heart of this town.
We stayed for three nights, but it just wasn’t enough to enjoy the chill factor.
In this guide, we share what it’s like to stay at The Mantra in Lorne as well as share some of our favorite things to do in the town.
About The Mantra Lorne Hotel
The Mantra Hotel in Lorne is a four-star hotel with a prime beachfront location on the famous Great Ocean Road. You can soak up the stunning views and enjoy the relaxed coastal vibe.
Nestled in a renovated mansion, it boast the title as the oldest guesthouse in Victoria, but the interiors are anything but old.
It sits on 12 acres of landscaped gardens which make for the ideal backdrop for weddings and big events. Although offering apartment rentals, it has resort-like facilities, such as tennis courts, croquet lawns, and an indoor heated mineral pool.
If you need pampering, head to one of the the steam rooms or indulge at the onsite restaurant.
With comfortable guest rooms and apartments available, Manta is a cozy home away from home.
Our Experience Staying at Mantra Lorne Hotel
We stayed at the Mantra in Lorne for three nights, and were impressed with its location and immaculate facilities.
It felt like we were tucked away in a tropical resort, but only a 5 minute walk to town.
The Mantra Lorne sits across from the beach with an access track running straight from the beautifully landscaped garden and main restaurant area. It’s the only hotel in Lorne with beachfront access.
Not only is it on the beach, but a short walk to all the cafes and restaurants on the main street.
Our room overlooked the gardens and tennis court area and was a comfortable 2 bedroom apartment with a balcony.
Facilities at Mantra Lorne Hotel
There are a range of facilities at Mantra Lorne Hotel, including a croquet pitch, share laundry facilities, and a friendly brasserie.
Here are some of the top facilities we enjoyed at Mantra on Lorne…
Endota Day Spa
For those who need a little pampering and rejuvination, the Endota Day Spa at the Mantra Hotel offers a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments.
Whether you’re in the mood for a facial, massage, body treatment, or beauty therapy, they’ve got you covered.
Gymnasium
There is a fully equipped fitness center that’s open from 7.00am until 10.00pm daily, so you can get your work out in on your holiday.
And of course, there are tennis courts and croquet courts that you can use as well.
Lawn and Garden
Although there are no uninterrupted views of the ocean due to the dune forest separating it from the beach, the lawn and garden area is a lovely place to sit for happy hour with a cold bevy.
A Happy Hour happens every afternoon between 5-7pm at the Lounge Bar. You can linger longer if you wish and enjoy a meal from the restaurant – they do great wood fired pizzas and a two-course meal deal.
Resort Rooms at Mantra Lorne Hotel
There are also a range of accommodation options at Mantra Lorne, including hotel rooms and complete apartments with fully equipped kitchens.
The accommodation options at Lorne are as follows:
- Heritage Hotel Rooms
- Resort Rooms with Garden Views
- Resort Rooms with Ocean Views
- One Bedroom Apartments with Garden Views
- One Bedroom Apartments with Ocean Views
- Two Bedroom Heritage Apartment
- Two Bedroom Dual Key Apartment (two adjoining rooms) with Garden or Sea Views
We stayed in a Two Bedroom Heritage Apartment which had a private balcony, garden view, fully equipped kitchen, reverse cycle air conditioning, private bathroom with a tub, free wi-fi and two separate bedrooms.
All hotel rooms come with a king bed, whereas apartments come with a queen bed.
The Mantra Lorne accommodation have all been set around one of the oldest permanently operating guesthouse in Victoria making Mantra Lorne a part of Lorne’s rich cultural history. Check rates and availability here
Things to Do in Lorne, Victoria
While the Mantra Hotel is the perfect place to stay in Lorne, you may be wondering what else you can do in the town besides enjoy the resort facilities.
Here are some popular local attractions you can do which are within easy reach of the resort.
Walk or bike from Erskine River to Lorne Pier
There’s a lovely walk along the beach and cliffs from the Erskine River to Lorne Pier. The fisherman’s co-op sells fresh seafood from the morning’s catch here.
We were in town in March during the Lorne Sculpture Biennale, similar to the Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney, and along the walk were over 40 pieces of sculptured art to marvel at.
Teddy’s Lookout
A short drive up the hill behind Lorne is Teddy’s Lookout. Drive up to the picnic area at the end of George Street and walk a short distance to enjoy the spectacular views of the Great Ocean Road from the lookout.
Explore the Great Ocean Road
Of course, the joy of Lorne’s location is that it makes for a great base to explore one of the best regions in Australia. And the drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay is said to be the most spectacular.
Visit Lorne Country Club
Golfing enthusiasts will want to pack their clubs and head to Lorne Country Club.
It’s a secret oasis nestled in the lush green hills of Lorne, with breathtaking views of rolling fairways and majestic trees.
The club has everything from a challenging golf course, to top-notch tennis courts, and when hunger strikes, the club’s restaurant serves up mouthwatering dishes.
Visit Split Point Lighthouse
The Split Point Lighthouse is an incredible lighthouse perched on the Shipwreck Coast, and it’s like stepping into a history book.
You can climb to the top for jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the coastline.
Those 90’s babies will remember this lighthouse from the CBBC hit show, Round the Twist. Today, it’s more a popular spot for whale watching from the shore.
Walk in Angahook State Forest
Angahook State Forest is a massive 22,000-hectare forest that stretches from Aireys Inlet to Kennett River.
You can go on epic hikes, explore hidden trails, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some incredible wildlife.
It also incorporates the Otway Ranges, so you can bet the nature here is stunning.
See the Twelve Apostles
No Great Ocean Road road trip would be complete without seeing the Twelve Apostles.
These iconic rock formations are the biggest attraction on the route, and they are just outside Lorne.
Relax in Lorne Sea Baths
Check out the Lorne Sea Baths if you want an outdoor swimming pool with views of the ocean.
This historic precinct offers all kinds of recreation, wellness, and fitness experiences, from a gym, outdoor pool, hydro spas, and even mini golf!
Plus, they have a cafe where we can grab some delicious treats.
Places to Eat in Lorne
If you want to get out of the resort and sample some more restaurants in Lorne, here are some great places to eat…
The Bottle of Milk
A gourmet burger joint that definitely delivers on taste. The Bottle of Milk is consistently regarded as some of the best in Victoria and I was pretty impressed with my Magic Mushroom burger.
Moons Licensed Espresso Bat
I didn’t think I was going to get a good coffee in Lorne – everything I tried was yuck until the day we left and we grabbed some for the road at Moons Espresso. Ahh at last.
Lorne Surf Life Saving Club
The club itself had a cool, laid-back vibe, with a stunning balcony overlooking the ocean. The restaurant is a great place to chill with friends, enjoying ice-cold drinks and watching the surfers ride the waves.
Final Thoughts
Lorne is a cool coastal town in Australia where you can relax on stunning beaches, catch some killer waves, and even go hiking in the lush rainforests nearby.
Plus, there are tons of trendy cafes and shops to explore.
When it comes to finding a place to stay, you won’t find much better than Mantra on Lorne.
- For more tips on this region read 16 Highlights of the Great Ocean Road
- 5 Towns to Visit Along the Great Ocean Road in Australia
