Car hires in Melbourne: practical information
Where to rent a car in Melbourne
Are you ready for holidays in Melbourne? By far the capital of culture in Australia, Melbourne is a great city to explore with a car hire in Melbourne. The best places to pick up the cheapest car rentals in Melbourne are at the two airports: Melbourne International and Avalon Airport. At Melbourne Airport there are six car hire companies to choose from: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Redspot. All are located on the ground floor of the airport's short-term car park. Avalon Airport also have several great discount car hire options: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty and Alpha. All are located in the Arrivals Hall.
If you only need a low cost car rental in Melbourne for a day or two you can also pick one up in the city centre. Avis has a location at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Rusell and Collins Street. Redspot is located on McIlwraith Place. Udrive Car Hire is located near the corner of Parliament and Collins Street. Drive Now is another popular car rental company in Melbourne, located on Queen Street. When choosing a company, compare car hires in Melbourne. Sometimes the local companies can offer a better deal than the major international ones.
Parking in Melbourne: what you should know
Parking in Melbourne isn't difficult but it can get expensive. Sometimes metered parking in the city centre can cost as much as $3.50/hour! The city operates only three car parks, two in CBD and one in Carlton. There is one in City Square, one at Countil House and one on Elgin Street. During the week expect to pay a maximum of $40/day if you stay longer than 5 hours. On a weekend this is dropped to $30. For parking overnight, enter the car park after 6pm and exit before 6am, this costs $10.
It is recommended to park your rental car in one of Melbourne's car parks overnight rather than on the street. Ideally though your hotel in Melbourne will have parking facilities available for your use.
Road trips from Melbourne: what to do, what to see
If you're hoping to explore the Victoria coast, then Melbourne is the best place to do it from. Sightseeing, natural parks and beaches are all within reach if you have taken advantage of cheap car rentals in Melbourne.
- A stone's throw away: Just outside of Melbourne are a host of attractions less than an hour's drive from the city. Werribee for example has a historic mansion worth touring and an open-range zoo. For a tour through a national park and gardens head to Dandenong Ranges or go wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.
- A little further: The Great Ocean Road attractions thousands of visitors every year in Southern Victoria. It's more than just a road! The most scenic part of it stretches from Port Campbell to Peterborough, passing through Port Campbell National Park. The coastal walks are beautiful, as are the hikes through the rainforest around Lake Elizabeth.
- A proper day-trip: Geelong is located just 70km from Melbourne. Geelong has an impressive waterfront, lined with coffee shops and at one end a carousel and botanical garden. The city itself is very cosmopolitan, offering great options in the performing arts.
For more things to do in Melbourne, check out Mini-guide: Melbourne.
