
Best Price Guaranteed
Get the best rate
Get the best rate
Unlock rewards
Your data is safe
To rent a car in Australia, all you need is a valid US driver’s license.
The Australian speed limit differs from one state to another. In Victoria, the limit on freeways is 110 km/h, on single carriageways it is 100 km/h, in built-up areas it is 50 km/h and near schools it is 40 km/h.
Melbourne has the third largest streetcar network in the world, with the cars running on the inside of each driving lane. Be aware that they stop regularly to drop off and pick up passengers; you can overtake, but only when there is enough room to pass safely and the doors are not opening.
There are several hook turns in Melbourne. These are a way of turning right at an intersection from the left lane, and you are alerted by the traffic lights when you can turn.
The center of Melbourne is very busy, with traffic peaking during the weekday rush hours of 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.
Most downtown parking spots are limited to one hour, increasing to two hours after 6.30pm. Outside of this zone, parking is available for longer, and some off-street parking lots allow long-stay and overnight parking. You can pay for parking with a credit/debit card or cash at the meter. Payment can also be made via phone with PayStay, but you will need to open an account beforehand.
Australia has many toll roads. Most of these use an electronic system, meaning you have to buy an e-tag pass in advance, or you have three days to pay the charge online once you have passed through the tollgate.
If you plan to travel outside of cities, be aware that road surfaces will be variable, journeys will take longer and there will be fewer gas stations. Be prepared before you set off, and make use of the rest stops every 50 to 60 miles. Check the weather before you travel, as this can dramatically affect driving conditions.
Discover Melbourne and the surrounding area by car
Melbourne’s city center is a little over two square miles in area, but its suburbs span nearly 4,000 square miles. Renting a car is the most flexible way to travel around, whether inside the city or further afield.
If you feel inclined to explore outside of Melbourne, head to the town of Bendigo, 95 miles away. A great hub for those seeking culture and food all year round, this is a popular destination when the weather is not great for exploring the coast.
Further away, there is the Great Otway National Park, 130 miles south of Melbourne. This is a spectacular area of natural beauty where you can see koalas, birds, and diverse other wildlife.
The region boasts many great driving routes, including the Great Ocean Road and the Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive (via Canberra).
Around 25 minutes by car from Melbourne, the Heide Museum of Modern Art is a charming non-profit gallery and sculpture park. Permanent collections include international and local painters and sculptors such as Anish Kapoor and Albert Tucker. The gardens are a great place for the kids to enjoy and interact with the art, and you can bring a picnic to eat beside the Yarra River, which runs through the grounds. There are various guided and self-guided tours within the gallery.
Around 55 minutes by car from the center of Melbourne, Australian Garden is an outpost of the famous Melbourne Botanic Garden. While not as historic as its big sister, Australian Garden has a healthy catalog of around 170,000 species of flora and fauna. The beautifully manicured gardens make a perfect day out, and with a picnic from the café in the visitor center you can enjoy lunch in the sublime surroundings.
Things to see in Melbourne
With green spaces, myriad art galleries and sporting activities, hipster bars and cafés, and the breathtaking Victoria national parks and forests, it is not hard to see why Melbourne has been voted the most liveable city in the world seven years in a row.
Diversity abounds, from chic neighborhoods like South Yarra and Fitzroy to the more traditional architectural styles seen in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flinders Street Station, Remembrance Shrine and Royal Exhibition Building. And cuisines from all around the world can be found on Victoria Street.
Don’t miss Melbourne Zoo, the oldest in the country, and the Botanic Garden’s 94 acres of stunning Victorian landscaping.