The Cumberland Guesthouse Lorne

The story of the Cumberland is the story of the changing face of accommodation in Lorne. It was built on the corner of Bay Street and Mountjoy Parade, replacing the Summerland Cafe and Dance Hall.

It was reported in The Geelong Advertiser of 25th November 1932, that it was a delightful place situated in Marine Parade right in the centre of Lorne. It had truly been termed the “Rendezvous of Lorne”, for it provides a centre of gaiety for the visitors. Throughout the whole day it is open for the provision of high-class menus, whilst each night from 10 o’clock until 2 a.m. there are special suppers and dancing, with no extra charge for the latter. Associated with Summerland was a lovely private room, where private parties may be held amidst delightful surroundings.

A holiday at the seaside was promoted as it always brings with it a better appetite. In was thought, that is why most people go for a holiday.. they are “off colour, don’t want to eat.” It would be a very jaded appetite that would not respond to the many good things that the Summerland supper menu had to offer.
Here is a sample of the supper menu;

Crayfish Mayonnaise
Fried Schnapper
Ham and Eggs
Fillet Steak and Eggs
Mixed Grills
Pork Sausages, Bacon and Chipped Potatoes
Mayonnaise Chicken
Fruit Salad

Summerland Cafe, before The Cumberland Guesthouse was built.

Frank Beaurepaire built the Cumberland Guesthouse for £30,000 in 1938. The architects were AC Leith and Bartlett of Collins Street Melbourne and the builder was JC Taylor of Geelong. It was viewed as the height of luxury, the rival of accommodation anywhere in the world. The cream brick, steel framed building had an asbestos roof praised for its resistance to corrosion.

It catered for 100 guests. Shops, storerooms, a ballroom and staff quarters were on the lower ground floor. The upper ground floor consisted of lounges, a terrace, dining room and kitchens. Bedrooms were on the upper two floors. The building boasted lifts, a telephone near the manager’s office, piped music and a paging system. The bedrooms had luxuries such as built in robes, hand basins with hot and cold running water, a dressing table and two lights. There were four bathrooms on each level.

: About 1947

: 1949

: 1972

In 1984, David Mariner bought the guesthouse. The beautiful Cumberland was demolished and the new Cumberland Resort, timeshare units were completed in 1989 despite much local protest. The building was renovated in 2004 and subsequently sold as private apartments in 2012.

(LHS photo B598)

The photo above B598, shows the cleared block after the demolition of the Cumberland. In the background shows flats on the Bay Street below Smith Street that were owned by Earnest and Doreen Beaurepaire, then up the hill is a double gable white weatherboard house called Nenthorne, once owned by Frank Beaurepaire. Both these buildings were demolished for construction of the new Cumberland Resort. Earnest and Doreen moved to a new home in Smith Street, called La Sirene, approximately behind the Lorne Hospital site.

: Cumberland demolished

: Frank Bearepaire’s house Nenthorne

: 1986, Cumberland site prior to rebuild. (LHS photo 3135)

The Cumberland Resort, 2025

Sources:

Lorne A Living History by Doug Stirling