Car & Van Hire - Melbourne

Melbourne is a large, vibrant city with plenty to see and do. The city centre is very walkable and has a cool, modern vibe, particularly thanks to the street art often seen in pedestrian areas. The most famous murals can be found down Hosier Lane, which is often crowded. To see art in a quieter area, try heading to Fitzroy instead. When the sun goes down, you'll have plenty of options for eating, drinking and nightlife. For the liveliest scenes, check out King Street in the CBD or go to the neighbourhood of Collingwood.

If you'd rather do something a little quieter, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Here, you'll see an impressive range of plants and flowers. You can easily spend a couple of hours strolling through the green surroundings. The Botanic Gardens are also home to the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. This 90-minute tour includes Aboriginal guides who explain the traditional uses of the plants, outlining how they have been used for food, medicine and tools. It's a fascinating look into Australia's indigenous heritage and well worth checking out.

The city is packed with museums, shops, restaurants and bars to keep you busy. Travellers often want to take day trips, too. Brighton, just half an hour away by car, is ideal if you'd like to spend a day at the beach. It's known for the Brighton Beach Boxes, rows of bright-coloured beach huts that create the perfect backdrop for your holiday selfies. It's one of the most popular beach towns in the area, and there are cafes and shops to enjoy, too.

Another great option for a day trip is the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Just under 50 km from the city, this is an ideal drive if you want to have some fun with your car rental in Melbourne. This green landscape is dotted with lush hiking trails to explore. Some of them lead to spectacular waterfalls, while others will take you to elaborate gardens, like the National Rhododendron Gardens. It's also home to Puffing Billy, a historic steam train that has been preserved and runs looping journeys within the park.

Further afield, the Mornington Peninsula is the perfect choice if you're looking to get away from it all. 75 km from Melbourne, this stunning natural area is a great place to soak in a hot spring. While you're there, you can also check out the beaches along a coastal hiking trail or try Arthur's Seat Eagle cable car, which will offer you spectacular views across the peninsula.

Booking a car hire or van rental in Melbourne is a great way to get around the city and explore the surrounding areas. There are some things you'll need to keep in mind, though. Melbourne has a system of trams that run throughout the CBD and inner suburbs, and if you're sharing the road with a tram, you need to overtake on the left. When one of these vehicles stops, you should stop level with the back of the tram and then wait for the passengers to get off.

Due to the trams, Melbourne has an unusual policy of hook turns, which you will not find elsewhere in Australia. Keep an eye out for intersections with a "Right Turn from Left Only" sign, which indicates the need for a hook turn. With your right indicator on, you will need to enter the intersection from the far left-hand lane. Stay on the left until you are as close as possible to the far side of the intersection. When the traffic light for the road you wish to enter is green, you can turn right. The local council has videos online that you can consult if you wish.

Melbourne is a very popular city with cyclists, and you are likely to share the road with many of them as you go around town. Luckily, the city has a huge number of cycle lanes. It is illegal to drive in a cycle lane until 50 metres before you turn right. Always keep a careful eye out for cyclists when turning.

Peak traffic hours in Melbourne are usually from 07:00-09:00, then 16:00-18:00. As with all large cities, some traffic is inevitable, but you can plan your trip to avoid these times if possible. Rush hour traffic generally consists of commuters coming into the city for work from the outer suburbs. If you're heading out of Melbourne in the morning, you won't see so much traffic. During rush hour, stay away from West Gate Freeway if possible, as it's usually Melbourne's busiest road.

When on-street parking in Melbourne, there are a couple of things to take into account. First, your time in a parking space starts as soon as your vehicle stops. In-ground sensors are used to enforce this, so the time you spend getting out of your car and feeding the meter is considered part of the maximum time you can spend in a parking spot. Also, be aware that you cannot refeed a meter to extend your permitted time.