Town snapshot – Lorne

The size of Lorne is approximately 104.7sqkm with the population of Lorne in 2016 being 1,120 and by the 2021 Census the population was recorded at 1,327 showing a population increase of 18% in the area during that time.

Lorne has been, and is more than ever, the great escape destination for Melbourne families who have a holiday home in this popular resort town.

Traditionally the town was also very popular place for Western District pastoralists to have their holiday home, with some families still holding properties here after generations.

Lorne can swell to more than 10,000 people during the summer holiday season and the easter period, placing a lot of pressure on infrastructure but great for local businesses.

As Barwon Heads is to the Bellarine, so is Lorne to the Surf Coast, both the jewel in their crowns when it comes to premium beachside living and a holiday destination.

Lorne has finally shaken off its declining population tag and has seen an increase in residents over recent years, but the town still struggles with affordable and workers accommodation in a settlement that has a $2 million price tag on average homes.

There has been significant community deliberation on this matter for decades, but their initiatives have continuously been hampered by planning road blocks at both state and local level.

And it’s not until recently that the powers that be are taking notice with more earnest, as well organised community groups pound home the message.

Lorne’s origins began with a small pastoral holding being established there in 1852 when the Mountjoy family acquired the run in 1874 and built a permanent homestead.

Known as Loutitt Bay, the area had the appeal of tree fern gullies, the Erskine River and falls, the river estuary and a beach.

In 1868 the Mountjoys opened a guest house for the increasing numbers of visitors.

The following year a town was surveyed and named Lorne in honour of the Marquis of Lorne, the husband of Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria.

 

Lorne’s census population doubled between the mid-1930s and 1947 and the provision of camping and caravan grounds brought different crowds.

By the 1980s, seven guest houses were closed, leaving only Erskine House and the Chalet.

In 1984 a Colac property developer, David Marriner, acquired the Cumberland guest house.

Multi-storey time share units were built on the Cumberland and adjoining sites, despite local resistance which considered the development an intrusion in the tree-lined amphitheatre.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Lorne is 60-69 years with households in Lorne being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying on average $2,167 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Lorne work in a managers occupation.

TIDBIT:

A road from Deans Marsh to Lorne was built in 1872, and Erskine House, the Grand Pacific Hotel and the Lorne Hotel were built by 1878.

Population: 1,327

Male: 52.4%

Female: 47.6%

Median age: 56

5 year population change: 18%

House median sales price: $2,000,000

Change in median price: (5yrs) 68.6%

Median asking rent per week: $725

Average length of ownership: 14 years

Owner occupiers: 67%

Renters: 33%

House median value:

August 2024: $1,962,600

August 2023: $1,876,200

August 2022: $1,925,200

August 2021: $1,896,000

August 2020: $1,316,800

House sales per annum:

Period ending August 2024: 23

Period ending August 2023: 28

Land median sale price:

August 2024: N/A

August 2023: N/A

Land sales per annum:

Period ending August 2024: 1

Period ending August 2023: 2