Melbourne is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria. With 4.25 million inhabitants, it is the second largest city on the Australian continent after Sydney and perfect for a getaway during Summer or Fall 2020. Our summer months are expected to be the winter in Australia. The temperatures in the months May, June, July, August and September are staying unaffected in the throughout the whole year, warm northern part of Australia. Get the most out of your Australia trip when you compare and book a hired car from Driveboo, to drive from Melbourne to warmer regions up north or the mystical Outback. You are in the driver seat of your trip and we offer you the tools for an independent journey. Melbourne is Victoria's most important economic, cultural and political centre. It is also a perfect starting point for exploring the region with a hired car. With Driveboo, you can compare car hire deals in Melbourne and book a hired car online.
Melbourne International Airport first stop
The majority of travellers arrive in the city by plane, at Melbourne Airport (MEL), where it is possible to hire a car directly and at competitive prices. As a rule, with so much competition, you should find it relatively easy to obtain a cheaper offer. In addition, car hire companies at the airport usually have longer opening hours and have better availability of vehicles such as convertibles, sports cars and SUVs.
Not all national driver's licenses are accepted by Australian police and car hire companies. Some states require drivers to carry an International Licence, which is therefore essential for driving in Australia. You must always carry your original driver's license with you too!
A large "P" on a parking sign means "Parking", S stands for "Standing" and C stands for "Clearway" (neither parking nor standing allowed). When parking on unlit roads, parking lights must be switched on after dark.
Some highways, bridges and tunnels in and around Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne require a toll. Australia has an electronic toll collection system. At certain points above the lane, you will find special readers which read the transponders (called an e-tag) installed in a vehicle when it passes by. Of course, this also applies to rental cars. When hiring a vehicle, be sure to ask whether it has a transponder, which makes automated billing possible. Visitors or hired car drivers can also register their vehicle over the Internet for a maximum of 30 days. The readers recognize the vehicle plate numbers and the billing is done by credit card. Car hire companies will be able to provide you with information on the topic.
The most important number in the case of an emergency is 000—using this number you can reach the police, the fire brigade and the ambulance service. It is in use 24 hours a day throughout the whole of Australia.
If you have been bitten or stung by a dangerous animal, you should call the Poisons Information Centre: 131 126.
Anyone visiting a doctor or hospital in Australia must pay the costs immediately in cash. Credit cards or travellers checks are not accepted.
Royal Exhibition Building
The Melbourne Museum is the largest museum complex in the southern hemisphere. The museum complex also includes the Royal Exhibition Building, the Scienceworks Museum and the Immigration Museum. Other well-known museums in the city are the Museum of Victoria, in the former National Museum of Victoria with Zoology, Geology and Anthropology departments, and the National Gallery of Victoria, with collections of paintings and photographs.
Organic food at the Queen Victoria Market
The cityscape of Melbourne, where the historic Queen Victoria Market is still an attraction, is dominated by numerous tower blocks. Buildings worth seeing include the State Parliament House, the Royal Exhibition Buildings, the Stock Exchange, Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Flinders Street Station.
View over Melbourne from the Eureka Tower
In 2006, the Eureka Tower was completed. With a height of 297 metres and 91 floors, it is the tallest building in Melbourne.
Another tourist attraction is the Melbourne Aquarium, partially built in the riverbed of the Yarra River.
Great Ocean Road: Road trip dream
A popular recreational area for the city's residents is the Dandenong Ranges, a mountain range east of Melbourne. The natural landscape surrounding Melbourne is also perfect for recreation. The most popular spots are Wilson's Promontory, Healesville Sanctuary, Grampians National Park and the Great Ocean Road—considered one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world—which leads from Torquay to Warrnambool.
Here is a list of further destinations all accessible by your hired car:
| Destination | Distance with a hired car | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yarra Valley | 2.8 km | 12 min |
| Phillip Island | 141 km | 115 min |
| The Hanging Rock | 76.1 km | 59 min |
| Dandenong Ranges | 46.2 km | 59 min |
| Healesville Sanctuary | 64.8 km | 75 min |
| Mornington Peninsula | 75.3 km | 65 min |
