Melbourne is easy to explore on foot and by tram, but a rental car opens up some of Victoria’s best experiences: the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley wineries, the penguins of Phillip Island and the forests of the Dandenong Ranges.
Driving in the city itself has a few local quirks, including trams, hook turns and cashless tolls. These tips will help you pick the right car, avoid fines and make the most of your trip.
At a glance
1Where to Pick Up Your Car
Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine has the widest choice of suppliers, with desks close to the terminals. It is about 25 km from the CBD, and the drive into the city uses the CityLink toll road. Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, is handy for the Great Ocean Road.
If you are spending your first days in the city, consider picking up from a CBD or suburban branch on the day you leave town. You will save on parking and avoid driving in the city centre.
2Driving with Trams and Hook Turns
Melbourne has one of the largest tram networks in the world, and trams share many roads with cars. A few rules are worth learning before you drive.
- Hook turns: at signed intersections in the CBD, you turn right from the left lane. Move to the far left, wait in front of the stop line until the lights for the road you are turning into go green, then complete the turn.
- Stopping for trams: when a tram stops and its doors open at a stop without a safety island, you must stop behind the tram and wait for passengers to cross.
- Tram lanes: keep out of lanes marked for trams during the signed hours.
- Give way: trams are large and cannot swerve. Leave plenty of space.
If hook turns make you nervous, plan a route that uses left turns and avoids the CBD grid. Your navigation app will usually suggest one.
3Tolls in Melbourne
Melbourne has two main toll roads: CityLink, which links the airport, the CBD and the south-eastern suburbs, and EastLink in the eastern suburbs. Both are fully electronic, with no toll booths.
Most rental cars have an electronic tag. Tolls are recorded automatically and charged to your card after the rental, often with an admin fee per day or per toll. Ask about the toll policy at the desk, and set your navigation to avoid tolls if you want to save.
4Parking in Melbourne
- CBD street parking is metered and time-limited. Many meters use an app or card payment.
- Watch for clearway signs: cars parked in a clearway during peak hours are towed.
- Multi-level car parks offer early-bird and weekend rates that can be much cheaper than casual rates.
- Many hotels charge for parking, so check before you book.
- In the suburbs and inner-city streets, read the signs for resident-only zones.
5Best Day Trips from Melbourne
Great Ocean Road
Drive to Torquay and Lorne for a day trip, or stay two or three nights to reach the Twelve Apostles.
- Bells Beach
- Lorne
- Twelve Apostles
Phillip Island
Watch little penguins return to shore at sunset, and visit the Nobbies and Cape Woolamai.
- Penguin Parade
- The Nobbies
- Cowes
Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs
Combine cellar doors in the Yarra Valley with tall forests and village cafés in the Dandenong Ranges.
- Healesville Sanctuary
- Cellar doors
- Sassafras
Mornington Peninsula
Spend the day at the bay and ocean beaches, the hot springs and the peninsula’s wineries.
- Sorrento
- Hot springs
- Point Nepean
Also read: Great Ocean Road in 3 days
6Choosing the Right Car for Melbourne
A small car is easiest for inner-city streets, tight laneways and parking garages. For day trips with family and luggage, a compact SUV or seven-seater is more comfortable. Electric cars are also a good choice in Melbourne, with public chargers in the city and along the main routes to the Great Ocean Road and the Yarra Valley.
7Road Rules That Catch Visitors Out
- Holding a mobile phone while driving is illegal, including when stopped at traffic lights.
- School zones in Victoria have a 40 km/h limit during signed times.
- Speed and red-light cameras are common, and fines are sent to the rental company, which passes them on with an admin fee.
- Keep left unless overtaking on freeways with a speed limit of over 80 km/h.
- Give way to pedestrians when turning at intersections.
8Weather and Seasonal Tips
Melbourne is known for its changeable weather, sometimes with several seasons in one day. Keep a jacket in the car, and expect heavy showers in winter and spring. In summer, hot north winds can bring very high temperatures and fire danger in regional areas, so check warnings before driving into forests.
In winter, the snowfields at Mount Buller and Mount Hotham are around three to four hours away. Most rental companies have rules about alpine roads and snow chains, so check before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hook turn in Melbourne?
A hook turn is a right turn made from the left lane at signed intersections in the Melbourne CBD. It keeps the centre of the road clear for trams. Wait at the far left of the intersection and turn when the lights for the cross street turn green.
Do Melbourne rental cars come with a toll tag?
Most do. Tolls on CityLink and EastLink are recorded by the tag and charged to you after the rental, usually with an admin fee set by the supplier.
Is it worth hiring a car for a city break in Melbourne?
For days in the CBD, trams and trains are usually easier. A car is worth it for day trips to the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island or the Yarra Valley.
Which Melbourne airport is better for the Great Ocean Road?
Avalon Airport is closer to Geelong and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine has more flights and a wider choice of rental suppliers.
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