Car Rental in Melbourne

Why rent a car in Melbourne?

It is a great idea to explore Melbourne by car as you’ll be able to first explore this unique city and then set out on a longer adventure along the state of Victoria.

Top ways to enter Melbourne

• Melbourne Airport: The second-busiest in Australia, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport handled 37 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin, and is served by around 30 other airlines. Located 22 km (13.7 mi) north of the city center, the airport can be reached in 20-30 minutes.

City facts

• Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate. The summers, which in Southern hemisphere typically last from December to February, are very hot while winters are short and mild. The average high temperature is 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in February, the warmest month, and 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in June, the coldest. The precipitation is rather even throughout the year, with a small increase from October to December.
• Melbourne has often been named as one of the most liveable cities in the world. In The Economist’s Global Liveability Ranking of 2019, it ranked second, behind only in Vienna in Austria and ahead of Sydney, Osaka in Japan, and Calgary in Canada. Factors like high quality of healthcare and other public services, good educational opportunities, and diverse cultural life contributed to Melbourne’s high ranking.
• With more than 4.9 million inhabitants as of 2019, Melbourne is the second-most populated city in Australia. Nearly 75% of the inhabitants of the state of Victoria (which is about as large as the United Kingdom) and 20% of all Australians live in or near the city. The Greater Melbourne is made up of 23 divisions.

Top sights and activities

• Royal Botanic Gardens. Covering a vast area in Melbourne and its suburbs, the botanical gardens are home to more than 8,500 unique species of plants, as well as different birds and animals, some of which you might be lucky enough to spot on a relaxing day out there.
• Fitzroy. Fun, quirky, and always in fashion, Fitzroy is probably the hippest place you’ll find for thousands of kilometers if every direction. It is as easy to make new friends here as to get lost in the cozy bookshops, art galleries, and small concert venues.
• Melbourne Zoo. Australia’s oldest zoo is a large and modern nature area where about 320 species of animals live. You can observe most of the domestic marsupial and other animal species here, as well as to visit the Orangutan Sanctuary, look at penguins in the Wild Sea exhibit, and see the pride of the zoo, the Trail of the Elephants.
• National Gallery of Victoria. The National Gallery is the oldest, largest, and most visited museum in Australia. Also called simply the NGV, it houses an impressive array of paintings, statues, prints, photographs, and other artwork. There are exhibitions of both the indigenous art and contemporary Australian artists, as well as works by such globally renowned old masters as Degas, El Greco, Rothko, and Renoir. Other interesting museums in Melbourne include the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Old Treasury Building and Gold Museum, Immigration Museum and many others.
• Immigration Museum. Dedicated to the various peoples and cultures that make up present-day Melbourne and Australia, this is one of the most interesting museums in the city. Largely interactive, the museum includes exhibitions like the Immigration Discovery Center, which permits visitors to look for their Melburnian ancestors and relatives, as well as workshops dedicated to various cultures and cuisines. Fittingly, the museum is located in the building of the former Melbourne Customs.
• Collins Street. Located in the central business district of the city, Collins Street is one of Melbourne’s most attractive thoroughfares. Bordering the Docklands to the west, the street was part of the original city grid that was laid out in the 1830s and is known for its imposing Victorian buildings, but also Larry La Trobe, a bronze statue of a dog that is a favorite among locals and foreign visitors alike.
• Docklands. Speaking of the Docklands, the repurposed port area is also worth at least a look if you’re in this part of the city. While its development has caused a lot of controversy in the local community, there is no denying that it is home to some very interesting contemporary architecture, as well as more than 60 objects of public art and installation, among them the Cow up a Tree, Aqualung, and others that can sometimes be spotted in tourism videos and popular travel blog entries covering the city’s landmarks.

Traffic and parking

• One of the largest road hazards in Australia are the wildlife. Take extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife take place.
• Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in nature areas.
• Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and set out your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
• Driving under the influence laws differ from territory to territory in Australia. In Victoria, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licences. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver licence ban.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. Victoria state emergency number is 131 444.

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. In Victoria, there are two active toll roads, Linkt (formerly known as CityLink) and EastLink. 

Most toll roads in Australia use an “open roll system” with mainline barrier toll points. All toll roads in Australia use cashless payment system. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with an electronic toll responder the price of which is usually included in the rental price. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance. 

Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nation-wide fee system in place. 

For more information about the toll roads in the state of Victoria, visit the VicRoads website.

Ideas for day trips

• The Great Ocean Road. More of a route for a road trip than a single destination, driving the Great Ocean Road is one of the best ways to experience the scenic beauty of Victoria state. See the coastal cliffs near the Apollo Bay, watch koalas in the surrounding eucalypt forests, and stop at stunning beaches along the way - the Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage for a reason.
• Phillip Island. Less than three hours drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island and the nature park of the same name is known for its famous inhabitants - penguins and seals (statistically, there are more of the latter on the island than there area humans). The opportunities to observe both species are plenty.
• Yarra Valley. Having won as many awards as their counterparts in Bordeaux and Burgundy, Yarra Valley is Australia’s number one wine destination. The wines are best sampled together with some delicious local food in one of the many area’s restaurants. If you can, set aside not one, but at least a couple of days for a full experience so that you and your travel buddy (or buddies) can take turns in enjoying the wines.
• Yarra Ranges National Park. Part of the same Yarra Valley area, Yarra Ranges is one of the largest national parks in Victoria. Made up of winding paths that crisscross the temperate rainforest and mountain ash woodlands, this is a great place to enjoy a day outdoors. The national park is home to the emblematic slender fern tree, as well as wildlife species such as wombats, kangaroos, and different types of platypuses. Located about 160 km (100 miles) from Melbourne, the area can be reached in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. If you wish to avoid going there and back again on the same day, there are a number of hotels and bed & breakfasts in the immediate vicinity of the park. Other beautiful nature areas about the same distance from Melbourne include Wilsons Promontory National Park, Great Otway National Park, and Grampians National Park.
• Mornington Peninsula. Located just south of the city, Mornington Peninsula is one of Melbourne’s most famous day trip destinations. In addition to a stunning coastline that is as fit for surfing as it is for a lazy day on the beach, the region also has several nature preserves and heritage buildings like the Cape Schanck Lighthouse.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Australia is the Hyundai i20, although travelers also love the Toyota Corolla and the Kia Rio. The most popular rental car types are economy, standard, and compact.

Further destinations

• Alpine National Park. Located in the Central Highlands of Victoria, this national park is a great place to explore for its beautiful wooded areas, long hiking trails, and accessible summits. Rest in the shade of the beautiful snow gum tree, then travel further to nearby Kosciuszko National Park in neighboring New South Wales.
• Sydney. About nine hours drive northeast, Sydney is one of the most famous world cities for a good reason. Travel there for its famous harbour, unique architecture, and many nature areas nearby.
• Tasmania. There are a bunch of cozy towns and villages on the island of Tasmania, but the number one attraction is its unique, untamed wilderness. If you want to travel from Melbourne to Tasmania with a rental car, you’ll have to take a ferry, so it’s good to first ask your car rental provider if they permit it.
• Bellarine Peninsula. Just over an hour’s drive southwest of Melbourne, Bellarine is situated around the area where Port Phillip Bay meets the ocean. Famous for its beautiful beaches and surfing opportunities; marine wildlife like southern humpback whales and sea lions; and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. The main settlement on the peninsula is Geelong, but a number of smaller, equally nice towns and villages are scattered along the coast.

Car rental prices in Melbourne

• Small cars - from $18 per day
• Medium cars - from $17 per day
• Large cars - from $19 per day
• SUVs - from $22 per day
• Premium cars - from $48 per day
• Vans - from $44 per day
• Station wagons - from $27 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to get the best rental car deal in Melbourne:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Melbourne is the cheapest in October when renting a car is more than 70% cheaper than the yearly average.