Lorne Historical Society and history Centre
Discover the rich history of Lorne, The Great Ocean Road and the people who helped shape a coastal village into a booming international tourist destination.
- Aboriginal Heritage
- Allenvale
- Buildings
- Football and Netball Club
- Foreshore
- Great Ocean Road
- Lorne People
- Lorne Stories
- Louttit Bay
- Photohraphers
- Plaques
- St George River
- Stony Creek
- Swimming
Aboriginal Heritage
The Indigenous custodians of the land that makes up the Otway Ranges is believed to be the Gadubanud people. Their connection to land stretches back thousands of years as evidenced by the aboriginal middens around Lorne. The Gadubanud people occupied the rainforest plateau and rugged coastline of Cape Otway covering the present towns of Lorne and...Read more
Allenvale
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 1912, Allanvale (LHS photo B710)Buildings
Lorne, has a history involving many homes, hotels and buildings. The Mountjoy family built the first real dwelling in Lorne consisting of just two rooms. As interest in Lorne grew, the Mountjoys extended their premises to cater for visitors whose numbers continued to increase as the word spread about the beautiful scenery and abundance of...Read more
Football and Netball Club
The Lorne Football Club was formed in 1896 with the first game being played against Deans Marsh in May 1897. Until 1919 the club would challenge Deans Marsh, Apollo Bay or some local team made up from the guesthouses, sawmill teams or whoever was available. The Shire of Winchlsea Football Association was formed in...Read more
Foreshore
Lorne Foreshore has always been very important to Lorne. From the earliest days of Europe settlement boats were landed on the foreshore and fish were caught with nets. It was the site of the original Sea Baths as well as being used for the first aeroplanes to land. Recreational activities including cricket, football, tennis, bowls...Read more
Great Ocean Road
A ground-breaking plan to employ returned soldiers resulted in one of the world’s most recognised and iconic tourist routes, The Great Ocean Road. Lorne Historical Society has compiled a collection of information and photographs about the road’s construction and this page provides an overview of the road’s origins and the trials and tribulations of its...Read more
Lorne People
There have been many families closely associated with the development of Lorne. Each family has its own unique story and some have shared their stories in books about the town. Lorne Historical Society has documented many of those stories for its history centre. If you wish to contribute information about any of these families or...Read more
Lorne Stories
Lorne Historical Society has documented the story of the coastal settlement. The first story of Lorne is of the Gadubanud (King Parrot) people who occupied the rainforest plateau and rugged coastal area of the Wada Wurrung to the northeast, Gulidjan to the north and Girai Wurrung to the west. Today the Gunditjmara people are the...Read more
Louttit Bay
In 1841 Captain James Louttit (or Loutitt), Master of the schooner Will Watch reported sheltering from north-westerly winds in the protected bay in front of present day Lorne. He carried cargo around the Otway coastline in many different vessels like the schooner Apollo and later took the first shipload of wool to England. Subsequently in...Read more
Photographers
The Lorne Historical Society is fortunate to have a collection of photographs from several photographers who ran businesses in Lorne, particularly during holiday seasons, to capture scenes that bring the times and people back for our appreciation. William “Toggy” Anderson 1910, William Anderson on the left. Toggy Anderson at work, c1900 William Anderson from Museum...Read more
Plaques
Cenotaph Allepo Pine Tree Plaque Cemetery Historical Society Kia Ora, Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park Archway entrance to Kia Ora Caravan Park, photo March 2025 Lorne P-12 College Lorne Medical Centre Lorne Medical Centre, 2025 Lorne Memorial Swimming Centre Lorne Village Mantra Mantra Plaque for Gadubanud people interred at Mantra. Post Office Foundation stone for...Read more
St George River
The St George River, along with the Erskine River, from the earliest times was known as a source of freshwater. The estuary of the St George River has been a popular beach area for Lorne people. From about 1905, saw millers built a timber tramway along the edge of the St George River to transport...Read more
Stony Creek
View from Hall Street of North Lorne, overlooking Stony Creek. (LHS photo B705) As we travel to and fro between Geelong and Lorne, we cross Stony Creek and perhaps wonder what historic stories may have been linked to this picturesque location. Many parents will know of the wonderful journey along Camel’s Walk to Lily Pond,...Read more
Swimming
Lorne’s first swimming baths were actual sea baths. A large timber structure was built on the foreshore, extending 200 ft and 90 ft into Louttit bay, so swimmers could swim safely. There were separate sections for men and women. The original sea baths were built in 1881 and were believed to be run by Polly...Read more
