Lorne Guesthouse, Kalimna

Kalimna was started by Arthur and Sarah (Sadie) Stewart in 1912. The Geelong Advertiser of 22 May 1926 reports that Kalimna was burnt down, leaving only the bungalows at the back A new house was built by December 1926.

Kalimna Guest House c1926

Kalimna was located on the Great Ocean Road, with a North facing view, in between the Pacific hotel and the Lorne Hotel. Kalimna is an Aboriginal word that means “beautiful”.

 

Kalimna was replaced by Kalimna Motel, which was then replaced by privately-owned villas. The Geelong Advertiser of 10 February 2000 reports that the iconic Kalimna Motel would be re-developed into 30 apartments. It will be the sixth accommodation building built on the site by the Stewart family since they purchased it in 1912. Fourth generation developers, Helen and Norm Stewart, recently cleared the last hurdle when the Victorian Civil and Tribunal rejected an appeal against the project. Twenty of the two and three bedroom apartments, ranging from about $300,000 to about $450,000, were pre-sold.

Sources:

  • Greetings From Lorne by Leigh Hammerton.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 22 May 1926, 10 February 2000
  • Lorne Historical Society photo collection.