Melbourne is one of Australia’s great road trip starting points. Within two hours of the CBD in almost any direction, there are destinations that justify a full weekend: the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, the wineries of the Yarra Valley, the penguin parade on Phillip Island, the ski fields at Mount Buller, and the gold rush history of Ballarat. Public transport reaches some of these but slowly, infrequently, and without the flexibility to stop where you want.
A hire car changes what’s possible. This guide covers the most popular Melbourne road trip destinations, what vehicle to hire for each, practical driving tips, and how to get the most out of your time in Victoria with a rental car from Turbofleet.
The Great Ocean Road: Victoria’s Iconic Drive
The Great Ocean Road stretches 243 kilometres along Victoria’s south-west coast, from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. Driving the full length and back in a single day is possible but rushed a two-day trip with a night in Lorne or Apollo Bay gives you time to stop, walk, and actually experience the coastline rather than just drive past it.
What to Hire for the Great Ocean Road
A standard sedan or compact SUV handles the Great Ocean Road comfortably. The road is sealed throughout and well-maintained. A 4WD is not necessary unless you plan to detour onto unsealed tracks. For a group of four or five, a mid-size SUV provides the best combination of comfort and cargo space for overnight bags.
Great Ocean Road Driving Tips
The road is winding, particularly between Lorne and Apollo Bay take it at a pace that lets you enjoy the views rather than focusing entirely on the corners. Pull off at lookouts (the Otway Lighthouse, Castle Cove, and Teddy’s Lookout at Lorne are highlights) rather than trying to absorb the scenery at speed. The Twelve Apostles are busiest in the middle of the day; arriving before 9am or after 4pm gives you a less crowded experience.
Yarra Valley: Wine Country Within an Hour
The Yarra Valley wine region begins about 50 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. Over 80 wineries operate in the valley, ranging from boutique operations producing a few thousand cases per year to well-known estates with restaurants and accommodation. Healesville Sanctuary one of Victoria’s best wildlife parks is also in the valley.
A Yarra Valley day trip by hire car is one of Melbourne’s classic weekend activities. Drive out in the morning, visit two or three wineries, stop for lunch at one of the cellar doors with a restaurant kitchen, and drive back in the late afternoon. The roads are straightforward, though some of the smaller winery access roads are unsealed gravel manageable in any vehicle.
Yarra Valley Hire Car Tips
Designate a driver before you start Victorian blood alcohol limits apply to the driver at all times. Melbourne’s rideshare services do reach the Yarra Valley but not reliably in all areas, so a designated driver in your hire car is the most practical solution. Some groups hire a driver-and-vehicle package through a tour operator for exactly this reason.
Phillip Island: Wildlife and Motorsport
Phillip Island is 140 kilometres south-east of Melbourne a 90-minute drive via the South Gippsland Highway or Monash Freeway, then the Phillip Island Road bridge across the Newhaven channel. The island is famous for the nightly Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach, where little penguins emerge from the surf at dusk every evening of the year.
The island also hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island Circuit, which draws large crowds in October. If you’re visiting during race weekend, book your hire car and accommodation well in advance — prices and availability are significantly tighter.
Mount Buller: Alpine Melbourne
Mount Buller is Victoria’s most accessible ski resort, 237 kilometres north-east of Melbourne via the Maroondah and Maroondah Highways. In winter (June–September), it operates as a ski and snowboard resort; in summer, it’s a mountain bike and hiking destination.
A hire car is the most practical way to reach Mount Buller, as public transport to the alpine areas is limited. In winter, snow chains may be required above the village confirm with your hire company whether chains are included with the vehicle or available for hire separately. Most standard hire cars can manage the access road in normal winter conditions, but conditions can deteriorate quickly.
Planning Your Melbourne Road Trip: Practical Advice
Book your hire car before booking accommodation vehicle availability in Melbourne varies with demand, and knowing your vehicle type helps with planning luggage and comfort for the journey. Fill the tank before leaving Melbourne; fuel at regional highway stops is typically more expensive than metro prices.
Victoria uses e-tag tolling on CityLink and EastLink confirm your hire car’s toll arrangement before departing. Download the VicRoads VicEmergency app for road condition updates, particularly useful for alpine routes in winter and after periods of heavy rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best car to hire for a Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne?
A mid-size SUV is the ideal Great Ocean Road hire car comfortable for the winding coastal road, enough boot space for overnight bags, and a driving position that makes it easier to see over roadside vegetation to the ocean views. A standard sedan is perfectly capable if you’re travelling light. A 4WD is only necessary if you plan to explore unsealed tracks beyond the main road.
How many kilometres is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?
The drive from Melbourne CBD to Torquay (the start of the Great Ocean Road) is approximately 95 kilometres. Torquay to Port Campbell (where the Twelve Apostles are) is a further 186 kilometres. A full return trip from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles covers approximately 560 kilometres, typically managed comfortably over two days with stops.
Can I hire a car in Melbourne and return it in Adelaide?
One-way interstate hire from Melbourne to Adelaide is available through some hire companies. A one-way fee applies, and the hire agreement will specify whether the Great Ocean Road route is an approved itinerary for a Melbourne-to-Adelaide journey. Confirm the specific route with your hire company if you plan to travel the Great Ocean Road as part of an interstate one-way hire.
Do I need snow chains for a hire car to Mount Buller?
In winter, snow chains may be compulsory on the access road to Mount Buller under certain road conditions. VicRoads broadcasts road condition requirements in real time. Confirm with your hire company whether chains are included with the vehicle. If they’re not, they can be hired separately at the resort gateway at Mansfield. Do not attempt the mountain access road in icy conditions without chains if they are required.
What is the best time of year for a Melbourne road trip?
Victoria’s shoulder seasons March to May and September to November offer the most pleasant road trip conditions: mild temperatures, fewer crowds at major attractions, and more competitive hire car rates. Summer (December–February) is popular but busy, particularly along the coast. Winter offers unique access to alpine Victoria and fewer tourists on the Great Ocean Road, though weather is more variable.
Is it worth hiring a car for a day trip from Melbourne?
For destinations within 90 minutes of Melbourne the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Ballarat, Phillip Islanda single day is genuinely useful. You can see more in one hire car day trip than two days of public transport would allow to the same destinations. One-day hire is straightforward to arrange; just confirm the hire company’s minimum hire period.
Ready to explore Victoria? Turbofleet provides reliable car, van, and group vehicle hire across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Get in touch to arrange a hire car for your next road trip we’ll help you find the right vehicle for your journey.
