Lorne Day 2

Today we went to Erskine Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the Otways, the Falls plunge 30 metres into the lush tree-fern gully of the Erskine River. We viewed the falls from both vantage points. The lookout above a five minute walk from the car and then from the bottom of the falls some 240 steps below.

The pretty Erskine River, at the foot of the falls, is flanked by ancient ferns, shrubs and native trees, continually moist from the fine mist of water dancing over the rock face. Even the poet and novelist Rudyard Kipling wrote of buying a frond of fern “gathered where the Erskine leaps down the road to Lorne”. 

When walking through the Victorian bush you never know when you will come across the odd Viking. Perhaps you will see him in a small movie, song clip or similar, as the full film crew etc were there to make a special event.

We then were back on the road and went to see Teddy's Lookout.

The water here near the shore has the amazing turquoise colour, it reminds us of the Whitsunday area in Queensland.

Next on our look around Lorne was the Grand Pacific Hotel set across from Louttit Bay. Built in 1875 with superb ocean views in one of the most unique settings on the coast, opposite surf beaches and the Lorne Pier.

The first pier was built in 1879 to serve the logging industry. Logging began in Lorne some 20 years earlier and during that time ships had to be beached and propped on the shore while they were loaded for delivery to the Geelong area The industry grew and eventually sawn timbers were delivered to the pier from saw mills near Upper Kalimna falls by teams of horses along timber railed tramlines. The pier was also used to land supplies to the small community of Louttit Bay as it was then known. The fishing industry then developed and at its height had about 36 fishing boats and produced about a ton of couta each day to be processed by the Fishing Co-op. Construction of the new pier started on the 1st March 2006 and was completed almost exactly one year later at a cost of more than $5m.

Victoria's top Surf Life Saving athletes went head to head to battle it out for the title of state champion today. Competitors took to the waves in a number of exciting events, such as board, ironman, swim race and ski's. They also competed in sprint and endurance running events held on the sand. 

For three weeks in March, the Lorne foreshore is the picturesque pedestal for dozens of sculptures created by some of Australia's top established and emerging sculptors. Most are made of fiberglass or metal however this Home / Country entry made from dodder vine, kelp and other natural fibers really took my fancy.

The girls on the corner in Lorne.

After Kevin went for a swim we went for a walk along the waterfront.

This long-standing icon the swing bridge marks where the Erskine River meets the sea and has been an integral part of the Lorne community. It belongs to a style of bridge that is rarely found in Australia. The money for the bridge was raised by popular subscription.

Looking back across the sea to the Grand Pacific Hotel.

I just love the growth of the new ivy climbing high up the trunk of this tree with the shedding bark falling softly from the branches. Such contrast and beauty.

The Split Point Lighthouse dominates the Aireys Inlet landscape, its 34 metre high tower and typical red cap is visible from the beach in Lorne.