🔍

Lorne

VIC 3232 • Rest of VIC

1,327
Population (2021)
$79,300
Median Household Income
102.65 km²
Area
$363/wk
Median Rent
CoastalGreat Ocean RoadTourismBeach LifestyleArts Community

About Lorne

Lorne is a picturesque coastal town on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria's Surf Coast Shire, approximately 140 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. The town has a permanent population of around 1,300 residents, though this swells to over 15,000 during peak summer periods. Nestled between the Otway Ranges and Louttit Bay, Lorne has been a beloved holiday destination since the late 1800s.

The lifestyle in Lorne revolves around beach culture, nature, and the arts. The town hosts the famous Pier to Pub ocean swim and the Falls Festival each summer. Residents and visitors enjoy pristine beaches, rainforest walks in the nearby Otways, and a thriving cafe and restaurant scene. The relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere attracts retirees, artists, and sea-changers seeking a slower pace of life. Holiday homes and boutique accommodation dominate the housing market.

Lorne falls under postcode 3232 and is governed by Surf Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3232
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Surf Coast
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.52°, 143.92°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
102.65 km²
Elevation
408m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Lorne for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$1.7M
11 sales · ▼ 15.3% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$805K
6 sales · ▼ 34.6% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$363
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
56 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Geelong 1 hr 30 min
  • V/Line coach — Apollo Bay 45 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
Not available - coach to Geelong then train
By Bus
3 hr 30 min via V/Line coach + train
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr

🛣️ Regional coastal town; most residents rely on private vehicles

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable but car needed for most amenities and attractions

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    Lorne P-12 College
    03 5289 1745 Address 15 Grove Rd
    GovernmentPrimary/Secondary CombinedCoedNon-Denominational

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Surf Coast Local Government Area, which contains Lorne. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
135.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 71.3%
Motor vehicle theft
98.6 / 100k
2yr Up 84.6% 10yr Down 57.1%
Non-FV assault
128.2 / 100k
2yr Up 14.5% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
2.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 62.4%
Steal from vehicle
347.7 / 100k
2yr Up 15.8% 10yr Down 46.5%
View all offence subgroups for Surf Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,114
Census 2021
1,327
▲ 19.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,880
Personal Income 2021
$46,436
▲ 29.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$46,436 / yr
$893/wk
Household
$79,300 / yr
$1525/wk
Family
$101,504 / yr
$1952/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 981
Born Overseas 220

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 38
  • 2. New Zealand 27
  • 3. India 15
  • 4. Germany 9
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Ireland 8
  • 7. Philippines 5
  • 8. Singapore 5
  • 9. Sri Lanka 5
  • 10. Taiwan 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 556
Australian 356
Irish 229
Scottish 202
German 54
Italian 43
Greek 26
Chinese 17
Australian Aboriginal 15
Dutch 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

812
Both parents born in Australia
258
Both parents born overseas
133
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.6%
Christianity
36.5%
Hinduism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
40 (3.0%)
5-14 years
85 (6.4%)
15-19 years
52 (3.9%)
20-24 years
56 (4.2%)
25-34 years
172 (13.0%)
35-44 years
108 (8.1%)
45-54 years
130 (9.8%)
55-64 years
226 (17.0%)
65-74 years
271 (20.4%)
75-84 years
125 (9.4%)
85+ years
56 (4.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lorne known for? +

Lorne is one of Victoria's most iconic coastal towns, known for the annual Pier to Pub open water swim and the Falls Festival held at the nearby farm site. The town offers beautiful beaches backed by the Otway Ranges, with a vibrant café, dining, and arts scene.

How far is Lorne from Melbourne? +

Lorne is approximately 140 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, around a 2 hour drive via the Princes Freeway and Great Ocean Road.

Does Lorne have public transport? +

Lorne has limited public transport. V/Line bus services connect to Geelong via the Great Ocean Road coastal route, but services are infrequent. A car is the most practical option for most travel needs.

What is the population of Lorne? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lorne has a permanent population of approximately 1,327 residents, though the town's population swells dramatically during peak summer and events seasons.

Is Lorne a good place to live? +

Lorne is one of Victoria's most desirable sea-change destinations, offering pristine beaches, the Otway Ranges hinterland, a vibrant arts and food scene, and a strong community culture. It suits those who can work remotely or locally and seek an exceptional coastal lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Lorne? +

The postcode for Lorne is 3232.

What is the average income in Lorne? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lorne is about $893 per week (around $46,400 per year). The median household income is $1,525 per week and the median family income is $1,952 per week.

What is the median house price in Lorne? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,695,000, down 15.3% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $805,000, down 34.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Lorne? +

The median age in Lorne is 56. The largest age group is 65–74 (271 residents, around 20%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 34% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lorne a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lorne is part of the Surf Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Lorne? +

In Lorne, the median weekly rent is $363, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).