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Car hire in Melbourne
Hiring a car in Melbourne
Pick up your car in Melbourne and prepare to discover a captivating city that really knows how to work, rest and play.
60-second guide to Melbourne
in its own head
"Mother Nature made Australia beautiful, but all the other good stuff came from Melbourne - TV, movies and, most of all, Aussie rules footy."
but more realistically
The cultural capital of Australia is a world apart from the barbecue-mad stereotype of Aussie life. Equally appealing to bookworms, ballers and ballerinas, it's no surprise that visitors to Melbourne continue to fall for its charms.
the vibe
Pretty near perfect - The Economist ranked Melbourne the third most liveable city in the world - good on ya, mate!
the natives
Melburnians are a cosmopolitan bunch thanks to the gold rush of 1851, which drew prospectors from every corner of the globe.
the weather
Melbourne has an oceanic climate, which is a clever way of saying the weather is a mixed bag. The city's all-time weather record was broken when temperatures soared to 46.4 degrees in February 2009.
the local speciality
Melbourne is a city of world cuisines - a haven for jet-setting gastronomes. Whatever you order, wash it down with a jar of the local draught - Melbourne Bitter.
the celebrity
Everybody's favourite pint-sized pop princess Kylie Minogue was born in Melbourne, as was her sister - singer turned X Factor judge - Dannii.
did you know?
The world's first feature film was recorded in Melbourne. The Story Of The Kelly Gang was released on 26 December 1906 and told the story of legendary Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly.
they say
"We're from Melbourne. And Melbourne has a scene where anything goes." - Felix Riebl, singer with Melbourne band The Cat Empire
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5 to see in town...
1. Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens has got trees and then some - blooms, ornamental lakes and endangered wildlife are all here for the viewing. No picking the flowers, though.
where to park?
Parking for up to four hours is available on the streets surrounding the gardens. Ticket machines operate in Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, which is a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
2. Her Majesty's Theatre
Whether you prefer your high-kicks in musical or ballet form, you can take in some of the greatest shows on earth at this classically beautiful theatre.
where to park?
There is a car park on Exhibition Street (under the Paramount Centre), Monday to Thursday after 5pm costs $7, Friday and Saturday evenings after 5:30pm cost $8. The theatre is at 219 Exhibition Street.
3. Old Melbourne Gaol
Investigate the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia. This award-winning museum was once home to notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor.
where to park?
Located on Russell Street (between Victoria and La Trobe Streets), try the car park on Lonsdale Street.
4. Cooks' Cottage
Cooks' Cottage is the only 18th-century building in Melbourne. Originally built in Yorkshire in 1755, it was later purchased and shipped over to Oz.
where to park?
There is a 24-hour car park on Flinders Lane, which costs $18 for three hours. The cottage is nearby on Wellington Parade.
5. Melbourne Museum
There's a proud cultural scene in Melbourne and with museums like this - covering indigenous cultures, Australian history and natural sciences - it's no wonder. Make a beeline for the dinosaur exhibit.
where to park?
There is an on-site car park, accessed from either Nicholson or Rathdowne Streets. Open seven days a week from 6am-midnight, it costs $12 a day.
and 4 to drive to...
1. Mornington Peninsula
Take a break from the bustling city at this oasis of calm, with hot springs, acres of gardens and its very own wineries. Blissful indulgence doesn't get much better than this.
how to get there?
Just over 60 miles from Melbourne, take the Monash Freeway, merge onto Eastlink and head towards the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.
2. Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
Huge national park with picture-perfect clear waters. Fish, surf or swim and remember exactly why you travelled halfway around the world to get here.
how to get there?
Roughly 150 miles from Melbourne, follow the Princes Freeway (merging with Princes Highway) east towards Sale. Rosedale Longford Road leads to Seaspray, at the western end of the park.
3. Healesville Sanctuary
Meet 200 species of Australian wildlife - only some of them deadly - and bag the obligatory koala shot at this park nestled on the foothills of the Yarra Valley.
how to get there?
Just over an hour's drive from Melbourne, follow the Eastern Freeway merging with the Maroondah Highway.
4. Great Ocean Road
Get your motor running and head out on the highway and experience arguably the most beautiful drive of your life alongside a dramatic coastline, through forests and past waterfalls - not exactly the M1.
how to get there?
The coastal road starts in Torquay (just south of Geelong) 60 miles southwest of Melbourne. Take the Princes Freeway.
Local taxi driver Nic Crilly on car hire in Melbourne
" Driving in Melbourne is straightforward, as the centre of the city is designed on a simple grid system and there's plenty of space, so there are rarely traffic jams. Watch out for trams, though, and don't be phased by the infamous Melbourne 'hook turn', which means you turn right from the left-hand lane. It feels unnatural at first, but take your time and you'll soon be 'hooking' like a local! "
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