Lorne, Victoria, Australia

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, passing through the fairy dell before arriving at the cascades with the water flowing into the pond at their base. As you walk up to Lily Pond, about halfway along, you will see a large flat piece of cleared grassy land and may be lucky enough to see a kangaroo grazing, or you may notice some scars on the trunks of mature trees, where sugar gliders have been feeding on tree sap.

Camel’s Lily Pond Walk was named as a tribute to Michael John Callanan (7th August 1953 – 6th April 2017), for his great work with Lorne Care protecting and preserving the natural environment and serving the Lorne community.

As early as 1901, visitors to Lorne would camp amongst the tree ferns and enjoy the serenity of this magical place. A camp for 12 men working on the Great Ocean Road construction, according to Cecil “Tiger” Clissold, was set up at Stony Creek, under the supervision of the Country Roads Board.

c1901 Camping Ground Stony Creek (LHS photo 8331)

In past times, Lorne visitors would take long bush walks to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the forest around Lorne. There used to be a very popular track up Stony Creek to the Stony Creek Falls.

Arthur Hollingworth, who returned after World War Two at the end of 1945, set up the Lily Ponds Tea Rooms to cater for weekend travellers. At one time Arthur started a tile works at Stony Creek and made a considerable number of roofing tiles which he supplied to local home builders.

At one time there was a slaughter house at Stony Creek and also there was a story about a dairy farm.

Fires

Stony Creek has been threatened by bushfires on a number of occasions. In the 1939 bushfires, Mr C. Howard of Stony Creek lost sheds containing a motor truck, wagon and dray, two engines and about 40 tons of wood, a saw bench and tools. A fire in 1964 broke out at Stony Creek, threatening 20 houses, saved by firemen burning back from the houses towards the flames. In 1983, the Ash Wednesday bushfires, that started in Deans Marsh, swept ferociously over the Otway Ranges and down the Stony Creek valley with a terrifying roar, consuming many houses and forcing residents onto the beach.

1983, Stony Creek after Ash Wednesday. (LHS photo 5804)

Flood

Stony Creek valley has been affected by flooding rains on many occasions over the years. In 1999, flooding rains led to logs washing down the creek, ruining Lily Pond. Heavy rains in 2016 resulted in a deluge flowing down Stony Creek taking out the three bridges that cross the creek between the carpark and Lily Pond. It took some time to have new bridges built which could survive future floods.

Darrell’s Barbeque

Darrell’s Barbeque, Lorne, was located at 181 Ocean Road, near the Stony Creek bridge, established by Darrell Mousley and Lorna Clissold. Walking through the entrance led into a courtyard with a fountain – better described as a water squirt! – and some ripper summer nights ensued inside, according to John Agar.

Darrell’s Barbecue, destroyed in the Ash Wednesday bush fires of February 1983.

Sea Plane

According to the Geelong Advertiser, 11th July 1925, the Fairey seaplane, ANA 4 from Point Cook, piloted by Captain Swinburne and carrying a mechanic, came down about a mile and a half out from Lorne, near Stony Creek. The seaplane sent up two Varey Lights, and two boats were sent out from Lorne to her assistance, with the object of taking her in tow. After a time the pilot thought he would be able to start the engine, and he got the boats to cast off. The attempt failed, however, and the plane drifted onto the rocks. As the tide was low it was found impossible to move her. The plane was unloaded and made secure. Later that night, at 2 o’clock in the morning, they managed, with the assistance of high tide, to drag the disabled machine onto the beach. The seaplane was taken to pieces, and Mr Cecil Clissold carted it to Eastern View where it was taken by motor lorry to Point Cook. 

1925, Seaplane on the rocks at Stony Creek. (LHS photo 1269)

 

Seaplane salvaged after crash landing near Stony Creek. (LHS photo 0392)