About Lonsdale Palms
Where everyone can relax, reconnect and feel truly welcome
Lonsdale Palms Retreat is a welcoming coastal escape on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, offering flexible, pet-friendly, and fully accessible accommodation for people travelling together.
Set close to the beaches of Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff, the retreat is designed for families, friends, and groups who want to share time together while still enjoying their own space. With a heritage house and two private cottages, guests can book what suits them best, whether it’s a couple’s getaway, a family holiday, or a larger group stay.
At its heart, Lonsdale Palms is about comfort, inclusion, and connection. It’s a place where thoughtful design, genuine hospitality, and practical accessibility come together so everyone can enjoy a relaxed holiday without barriers.
Today, Lonsdale Palms Retreat offers flexible, pet-friendly, and fully accessible accommodation where families, friends, and groups can relax, reconnect, and make lasting memories without barriers. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, a long-overdue reunion, or simply time away with people you love, this is a place designed so everyone can feel comfortable, included, and at home.
Our Story
Lonsdale Palms Retreat began in 2006, when owner Sue O’Brien made the decision to restore an old Victorian farmhouse that had seen better days.
Following the loss of her husband, Sue needed a new direction and a way to create an income. As she worked on bringing the property back to life, she became increasingly aware of how limited accessible accommodation options were, particularly for people with mobility challenges.
Having cared for her husband, who used a wheelchair, and her father, who lived with Parkinson’s, Sue understood firsthand how difficult travel can be when accommodation isn’t designed with accessibility in mind. Drawing on her background in disability services and hospitality, she made a clear decision to create a place where everyone could enjoy a holiday without barriers.
Over time, that vision shaped Lonsdale Palms into what it is today. A place where people with diverse needs feel comfortable, included, and genuinely welcome. Seeing guests return year after year, often with different combinations of family and friends, continues to affirm that this was the right path to take.
Our mission
Meet Sue, your host
Sue O’Brien brings together a background in disability services and hospitality, shaping Lonsdale Palms Retreat with a strong focus on comfort, thoughtful design, and genuine accessibility.
Her values are grounded in lifelong service and community involvement. Sue began as a Girl Guide, was a Rotary exchange student in Singapore, and later served as President of the Rotary Club of Coburg. She has also worked closely with local Indigenous communities and was proud to initiate the Wathaurong Glass enterprise in Geelong, supporting cultural and economic opportunities through art.
Hands-on and detail focused, Sue spends time tending the gardens and attracting local birdlife, and finds the greatest reward in seeing guests return year after year feeling relaxed, included, and at home.
If you’re coming together to celebrate a special occasion, enjoy a reunion, or simply spend quality time with people you love, Lonsdale Palms Retreat offers a welcoming place to do just that.
“What a wonderful delight Sue was helping us to create a magical long weekend… All 3 houses were extremely well equipped, comfortable and very clean… We could not have been happier with every detail and Sue’s accommodating approach.” Esther G, via Tripadvisor
Accessible Accommodation
Lonsdale Palms is committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our accommodation. If you have any questions about if our accommodation is suitable for your needs please contact us.
Our cottages
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about accessibility, pets or anything else.
Come join us!
Plan a getaway where families and friends can come together and truly enjoy their time in beautiful Lonsdale Palms.