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Weekend Getaway – Things to do in Yarra Valley

Planning a road trip to Yarra Valley this weekend? Then our Yarra Valley road-trip guide will help you with some popular destinations to explore. The beautiful Yarra Valley is located just an hour outside of Melbourne to have a fantastic weekend trip. It is known for Australia’s best wine, spirits, beer and culinary delights to explore that can amaze your taste buds.

Yarra Valley is one of the top visiting places in Melbourne, which is ideal for all year round. Here, let us list out some of the favourite places of Yarra Valley to explore for a weekend getaway with friends or family.

Yarra Valley Wineries:

Melbourne has lots of wine bars that offers an exclusive and premium range of wine to locals and visitors; but if you are looking forward to tasting wine in your weekend getaway then explore the region where they are produced more refreshingly. The Yarra valley presents a relaxing and distinguished wine experience.

A favourite tourist spot, the estate offers wine tasting within its art gallery beside the house. If you are looking for something hidden from the main streets that still provides excellent views and a quiet atmosphere, there are many smaller wineries dotted around lanes branching off the main roads.

Yarra Valley – Kinglake National Park

With the amazing view of Melbourne Skyline, Port Philip Bay, the Yarra Valley and across to the You Yangs, Kinglake National Park located on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range, which is just 65 KM Far from North of Melbourne. It is an idol place for campaign, bushwalk and have a picnic with family and friends.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

With abundant parking spot, this place is situated in one of the wonderful areas of Yarra Valley. This is the place to enjoy your affection for quality treats, with a scope of free tastings to amaze your taste buds . Indulge yourself with a lot of desert alternatives to take a stab at including fondue, baked goods, ice-creams and hot chocolates, while dousing up the perspectives of the Chocolatier’s emerging orchards, clearing yards and wetlands protection territory.

Yarra Valley – Spirit, Cider & Beer

The historical backdrop of beer in the Yarra Valley is accepted to return to the mid 1800s when  growing hops was an major cultivating movement in the locale. The specialty breweries in the Yarra Valley are endeavoring to ensure beer remains a fundamental piece of the Yarra Valley’s past, present and future.

The Yarra Valley is likewise one of Victoria’s most seasoned cider regions and was the origin of Australian Champagne Cider. Cider House and Napoleone Brewery are best places to have different alternatives of beverages. To have a authentic taste of cider, head to oldest brewery in the region, i.e. Buckley’s Brewery. Four Pillars can give you extraordinary tasting joy of spirits to influence your road-trip memorable.

Yarra Valley Dairy

Yarra Valley Dairy is popularly known for making soft and fresh cheese in Italian and French style. This Dairy offers a delightful experience of excellent cheese and wine. At this dairy, you can also have fantastic food from regional freshly produce and wines with beautiful views of surrounding valley, vineyards and beauty of farmland can make your day.

If you are planning a trip to Australia and convinced about hiring a car rental, look for a car hire at Melbourne Car Rental. Melbourne Car Rental services South Melbourne, Albert Park and Southbank with its Melbourne CBD rental car service. Our store at 108 A’Beckett St Melbourne is easily accessed from South Melbourne, Albert Park and Southbank and offers great value car rental rates. Call to book on +61 3 9329 8587.

Explore Top Autumn Events in Melbourne

Officially, Autumn starts in Melbourne from 1st March and end on 31st May. It is labelled as the best time to travel to Melbourne and their surrounding areas. Recently, Melbourne again marked as “Most Liveable City in World”. Autumn time in Melbourne is not too hot, not too cold.

1) Melbourne Food & Wine Festivals:

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is an International renowned food festival presented by Bank of Melbourne from 16 to 25th March. It has evolved into a gastronomic spectacular with over 300 culinary events all over Melbourne and Victoria which showcase the best fare and produce the region has to offer. This event run by small not-for-profit organisation Food and Wine Victoria Ltd to promote Food and Culture of Victoria Region.

MFWF event attracts more than 250,000 attendees to a diverse program of 200+ events. This year Melbourne Food and wine festival is going to turn 26 and will showcase the best wine and dine experience from Victoria’s best wine producers.

2) Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show:

Melbourne’s biggest annual flower and garden show in the Southern Hemisphere is set to back for its 23rd International Flower and Garden Show. Immerse your sense with the smell of bursting blooms from 21st March to 25th March inside the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

Gardening devotees can get motivated by the botanical, outside and landscaping rivalries; and children and grown-ups alike can appreciate several plants, blooms, desert flora and cultivating displays in a casual and delightful setting.

The 2018 Show is shaping up to be its best yet with features including: international talent headlining the 2018 Show Garden line up, the Boutique Gardens Competition, the RMIT floral fashion competition, floral artist design installations, student design competitions, daily floral workshops, a brand new bridal exhibit, daily demos from industry experts, floral inspired High Teas, the Cubby House Challenge and an edible garden arena.

3) Comedy Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the biggest Comedy celebrations in the World. The Comedy Festival means to find, create and grandstand incredible ability for the amusement and motivation of a wide based of Audience. It is one of best and renowned comedy platform at the global level that sets new benchmarks every year of excellence with free family fun & enjoyment all school holidays, hundreds of the world’s funniest presenting stellar shows each evening and a late-night Festival Club that keeps the vibe alive through to the wee hours.

Comedy entertains and equalizes, embracing all with the common goal of grins and good times.

4) Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival

The Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival is generally held in February and March every year and happens at Flemington, Caulfield, and Moonee Valley racecourses Melbourne. This autumn carnival includes a large group of best level hustling in the early periods of the year close by and going before the great Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

The majority of the Autumn racing carnival will be in Victoria are facilitated by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and occur at the top metropolitan tracks around the state.

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How To Avoid Fatal Road Accidents

Several innovative technologies and campaigns have been developed to avoid car accidents, still, we experience a lot of fatalities associated with car accidents on the roads in Australia. Careless, rash and drunk driving being the most common causes.

Fatal road accidents can also happen due to lack of patience or adverse weather conditions. In this blog, Melbourne Car Rental shares some effective tips on avoiding fatal road accidents.

FOLLOW TRAFFIC RULES STRICTLY : Basic things like wearing a seat belt and avoiding the fast lane would decrease the chances of fatal accidents.

1. Leave a two-second gap with the car in front
2. Don’t drive if feeling sleepy or exhausted
3. Let the mobile phone take some rest when you are driving
4. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE
5. Let everybody in the car make good use of seatbelts
6. Know and stick to the speed limit

BE A DEFENSIVE DRIVER : This will allow you to foresee potential accidents and escape them.

1. Avoid racing with other vehicles. Be courteous.
2. Keep a safe watch on the cars behind and the car ahead of the car in front
3. Beware of blind spots
4. Keep your side mirrors and rearview mirrors in check
5. Know the limits of your own car

AVOID DRUGS AND ALCOHOL – DON’T BE IN AN INEBRIATED STATE : Drunk driving is completely preventable by being a little responsible towards the fellow drivers on the road. Maintain a constant speed and leave a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles.

BE CAREFUL AT INTERSECTIONS : Special care must be taken at intersections by cross checking both the sides before proceeding further. As intersections are the most common areas for fatal accidents, it is important to drive clear at these junctions. Moreover, make special considerations during adverse climatic conditions by keeping the car lights on while driving.

KEEP CALM AND DRIVE ON! Above everything, driving a car which is in good condition can minimise road accidents to a greater extent. If you are looking for quality car hire & rental services in Melbourne, call us on +61 3 9335 4877.

What are the best places to hit the road in Melbourne in Winter?

The winters in Australia are more than the beanies, puffer jackets,, boots, fireplaces and cozy blankets. We can’t forget to mention the everyday talks about ‘It is so cold!’. The only way to make the winters in Melbourne special is by grabbing a chance to hit the road this season.

Vacations, one-day trips, adventures, road tripping, a warm stay, greener pastures by the open fire, art walks, open houses, campfires – there is a lot to experience and do in Melbourne. With the best car hire services from the Melbourne Airport, Melbourne Car Rental provides a list of best places to hit the road in Melbourne during winters.

1. The Yurt Alpine Retreat : Just at a 3-hours drive from Melbourne, this place is something you would expect in the region between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This rustic location offers a breathtaking view with a campfire. Just get your camping supplies along!

2. The Airstream in Bright : The iconic caravan is located right near the river and the private deck here is perfect for a morning coffee or some whiskey in the evening.

3. Mount Buller : The temperature drops below zero during the winter here and the region experiences a good amount of snow. This makes it ideal for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe walks and also has a sled dog tour. The place also offers an Alpine Spa Treatment if you are not too much into winter sports.

4. Yarra Valley : A burst of winter travel spots, the valley has the Coombe Melba Estate, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, Locale Restaurant At De Bortoli for amazing local food and Yarra Valley Lodge.

5. Warrnambool for Whale Watching : Logan’s Beach on the eastern side of Warrnambool is a conservation site for the Southern Right Whale. The coastline also offers the best sightings of little penguins, Australian fur seals, and the common dolphins.

So, if you like the snowy aspect of winter, the mountains offer a lot of fun. If you are not into skiing or snowboarding, the Yarra Valley offers many laid back experiences with spectacular scenery and fine wines. For all the winter exploration ideas and car hire & rental services from Melbourne Airport, feel free to call us on +61 3 9335 4877.

Embrace the colder months in Melbourne with fantastic events, ice skating, shopping, plenty of heart warming food and drinks – all by hitting the road with your family, loved ones or alone.

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Packing Tips For Winter Road Trips

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2015 Kia Rio Joins Melbourne Car Rental’s Luxurious Fleet for Rental Cars

Performance without a settlement. With a 1591 cc Petrol Direct Injection (GDI) Engine that yields 138hp @ 6,300 rpm for a commanding get up and go, the 2015 Kia Rio is, without a doubt, the hi-tech sub-compact that’s as cool at appearance as it is to drive and is the latest entrant in the Melbourne Car Rental’s fleet of cars.

In short, now you can hire a 2015 Kia Rio in Melbourne.

2015 Kia Rio has a stylish exterior and interior. It comes with, Halogen Headlights, Projector Beam Headlights, and Front Fog Lights (Projector Beam) making it one of the best cars in the subcompact category.

The dashboard is equipped with a state-of-the-art UVO Infotainment System, Bluetooth® Wireless Technology w/ Steering-Wheel-Mounted Control & Audio Buttons, Tilt Steering Column and Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column.

Child safety features like Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children and Rear Child-Safety Door Locks also come standard with all variants. Kia’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) System ensures you get 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on highways.

We know there are many websites that offer deals from various car rental operators. However, these merely compare cars; they don’t offer car rental directly. Thus, it’s always a better deal to go for a car rental agency like Melbourne Car Rental. We offer a FREE QUOTE. We are a small boutique car rental house but are vast on service. Our services are available 24 hrs for airport car rental collection and return. In addition to Rio, we offer potential renters a wide choice of vehicles and lots of local knowledge and Travel Victoria Information.

To rent the 2015 Rio, call Melbourne Car Rental on +61 3 9329 8587.

Renting a car: Older cars or new cars?

Renting a car is a great option when going out of town, especially on a long trip. With such a large range of cars available from rental agencies, there is an opportunity to save some money by taking a car that is not new.

With demand for cheap rental cars skyrocketing, rental agencies often keep cars longer so they can offer a cheap alternative. First-time renters often mistake them for a new car.

All cars old or new can break down so there is never a guarantee that you won’t be inconvenienced. So how do you minimize the risk of this happening to you?

Here is how to make sure your rental car is the right one for you:

1. Where are you traveling to?

When renting a car, always consider how far you want to travel. If you just want to grab a car to get around the city because your car is in for repair, then an older model car is great for saving money. If you want to travel a long distance then always go for a new car option. Reputable rental companies advertise the age of the vehicles honestly on their websites.

2. The reputation of the agency

A reputed agency in the city will never put an unreliable car for rent. It’ll have clear terms regarding the quality of car that it rents.  The reviews of car rental agencies in your neighborhood will give you a fair idea of which one to choose and which one to avoid.

3. Do the cars have roadside assistance included free of charge?

Given there is no guarantee a car won’t break down, good rental companies include full-service roadside assistance as part of their car rental agreement. This should be free of charge to the renter so if you are being asked to pay for roadside assistance, go to another agency.

Take a test drive and ensure the performance is smooth and noiseless before making the call.

At Melbourne Car Rental, we cater for all budgets by providing current and late model vehicles for rent. Talk to us about where you are going and not only can we help you with tourist information, we can advise you on the best car to take for your budget.

Melbourne in winters: Places of Interest

When most of the west enjoying the pleasant, warm summers, Melbournians are busy beating the cold, wearing layers and layers of winter clothing. Although winters in Melbourne are not very cold like those in some parts of Europe, it is still a bit cold for someone from the tropics.

The mercury can easily drop to 1-2 C after sunset though it doesn’t snow. The days are short and it rains frequently.

There are many places to visit in Melbourne during winter, starting with Ski Resorts.

1. Ski Resorts in the Australian Alps

The alpine region, northeast of Melbourne, is a major winter sport area. The skiing season starts from the first weekend in June to early October.

For more information on Victorian ski fields, click here

2. Warrnambool

Logan’s Beach is considered as a nursery site for the Southern Right Whale or Eubalaena Australis, making it a great place for whale watching. During the breeding period, a few adult female whales visit this area to give birth to calves. The calves stay there for a period until they turn adult, usually during mid-September to late September.

Logan Beach Whale Viewing Platform is the perfect place to start your whale watching experience. Australian Fur Seals, Little Penguins and the common dolphin, also frequent Logan beach if you miss the Whales.

3. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is an annual series of art exhibitions held every year for 100 days between June and October. Melbourne Museum, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) are home to Melbourne Winter Masterpieces

One of the exhibitions, The Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, last year attracted around eight hundred thousand visitors of which some three hundred thousand were from overseas.

Find out more about the 2015 event here

4. Open House Melbourne

Open House Melbourne, a NGO based in Melbourne, organises an open house every year to showcase and help you discover the city’s hidden engineering, architectural and historic buildings.

The showcase includes commercial, residential, green buildings, sports grounds, and spiritual places.

Information about this years event on July 26^th and 27^th is available here

5. Melbourne International Film Festival

The Melbourne International Film Festival is among the oldest film festivals in the world, just one year younger than Cannes. It runs for a period of 17 days and attended by cinematic delicacies from 50 countries.

The festival showcases the best in current cinema from around the world as well as retrospectives, tributes and Talking Pictures discussion programs.

Melbourne Car Rental Specials!!

May Madness – 3 day car hire specials!

Enjoy the 3 day hire specials only at Melbourne Car Rental. Best car hire deals at best price!
Only for rentals booked and returned by 31st May 2014

Any travel plans with your toddler??

We offer a free comfy baby seat with a car rental of minimum 4 days.
*Conditions:
Minimum 4 day booking required
Only for rentals booked and returned by 31st October
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Getting lost in your rental car is no longer a problem when you rent a car from us. Take our safest cover package option and you get the GPS free for your entire rental period.
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Try a 2013 Suzuki Swift and get 10% off on your 10 day rental.

Celebrating Australia Day: Give it a personalised touch!

The whole of Australia is gearing up for a major celebration as January 26th happens to be Australia Day, which is celebrated annually on this particular day. Being a day of national celebration, the whole country gets together and celebrates it wholeheartedly.

People dress up in the Aussie colours decking up their body and faces with clothes, paints, caps, colourful slippers, funky tattoos, etc. It is one good time to catch up with your family and friends as you can camp out, arrange for a beach party or travel across the city you are in. If you are planning for the ways to celebrate the day away from home, the article can provide you with quite a few ideas. Have a look:

Arrange an outing : You can take all your family members and close friends for an outing. And it would be quite convenient if you rent a car in Melbourne to enjoy travelling with ease and sheer comfort. You can explore new things and places without having to depend on any guide as renting a car in Melbourne allows you to be your own guide and travel as per your wish.

Tour the carnivals: Every city of Australia will be seen making lavish arrangements to make the day a happening one. There will be carnivals held, parties thrown and many other exciting activities that you will love to be a part of. Well, why wait then? Rent a car in Melbourne and tour the carnivals which fall near to your city and enjoy the ride to the fullest!

Throw a beach party: If you want to unwind yourself and feel a bit relaxed, you can surely party out on a beach nearby. Organise a beach party with innovative themes and send in the invites to all your near and dear ones. You can even travel to distant beaches and the journey can be made a memorable affair if you rent a car in Melbourne.

We also need to acknowledge that Indigenous Australians need to be recognized on this day as the original inhabitants of this great country and this day is significant to them for different reasons. This Australia Day, make the celebrations an affair worth remembering and spread the message of love and peace to everyone around!

Are you Moving House?

Ute hire in Melbourne makes moving house easy. The Ute rentals at Melbourne Car Rental are easy to afford and easy to drive. Our utes come with drop side trays, which makes unloading furniture and boxes an easy task to carry out. Also, the tie down bars keep can be used to keep your load secure in the tray.

The utes at Melbourne Car Rental also have a tow bar which of course means you can do less trips by using a trailer as well. Our utes are rated to carry a maximum of 1 tonne and the largest trailers you can tow is an 8 x 5 size.

These vehicles are ideal for all those who love taking care of things on their own. Ute hire in Melbourne is also perfect for the tradesman who needs a replacement ute while theirs is off the road. We have both manual and automatic utes available.

Travelling Alone: Make your Trip a Life Changing Experience!

Travelling is sheer fun but the very fact of undertaking a journey all alone turns off many, especially women. Traveler’s think they will be lonesome, jaded or more at risk on their own.

However, you will still find many people around who just love travelling alone. There are many benefits to doing so including being different and doing things that others generally don’t do.

If you want to take the plunge and explore the fun of travelling all alone, the best thing to do is rent a car in Melbourne. Once you rent a car in Melbourne, consider these tips and make the journey a learning and life changing experience. Have a look:

Approach others

Travelling helps in gaining new experiences and meeting new people. But you can only achieve this by putting yourself out there. When travelling alone, approach the locals and fellow tourists. Even if they ignore you, you won’t be losing anything. And if they do respond back then you might get to hear some great stories about the place and in turn make some good friends too.

Embrace yourself

This is the time when you can analyse your inner self and know yourself in a better way. Give the time completely to yourself and do things which hold your interest. As you rent a car in Melbourne, ensure that you are equipped with all the travelling essentials and take time to explore each and every scene around you. Dress up nicely and eat out to your heart’s delight. Don’t be scared of anyone or anything, just be yourself and enjoy every moment of your trip.

Be smart, be safe

Throughout your journey, be smart and alert; especially when travelling at night. As the area is new, you will have to be highly careful. Don’t accept rides from strangers and watch your drinks when out. Often you find transport the biggest issue when travelling alone and this is why you must rent a car in Melbourne so that you don’t have to rely on any public transport.

Just by taking care of these important tips, you can make the best of your solo trip and capture some memorable moments!

Top 5 destinations of Melbourne to be explored in rental cars!

Melbourne is a mesmerizing city in Australia that provides tourists with various activities and attractions. The city is quite action-packed and you get a lot to do out here on a vacation.

The best way of exploring the beauty of it is to rent a car in Melbourne. As you rent a car in Melbourne, you get the freedom of traveling at your comfort level. You can travel from one destination to another without having to wait for public transport. If you are planning to holiday in this beautiful city of Melbourne then have a look at our top 5 destinations that offer a spectacular view. So as you rent a car in Melbourne, make sure these places are on your bucket list:

1. The Melbourne Aquarium: Known as one of the best in the world, this aquarium has undergone a substantial reconstruction. The most significant feature about this is that it currently happens to be the only Southern Ocean aquarium. So you have the chance of exploring sea life, only to be found in this aquarium.

2. The Williamstown Ferry and Yarra River: If you rent a car in Melbourne then exploring the Yarra River turns out to be simply outstanding. It is even a great way of escaping the city crowd and getting close to nature.

3. The Eureka Melbourne Observation Deck: If you are travelling on a sunny day, then this is mesmerising place to visit. You can see from Port Phillip Bay to the Dandenong Ranges from this point and also catch the look of the entire city.

4. Luna Park: This is one iconic amusement park in Melbourne. Having a history of 100 years, this is a place that seeks the interest of all. Plan a visit in early morning so as to avoid crowds.

5. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image: Abbreviated as ACMI, there is always a number of exhibitions worth checking out. The place even has some hands on activities for the entire family.

So, don’t delay! Plan a trip with family or friends and explore the major tourist destinations of Melbourne!

Visiting Melbourne: Factors that can Drive You!

The wonderful city of Melbourne has been named as the “Most Livable” place in the world and this comes as no surprise when you consider the lifestyle this place has to offer. Travelling Melbourne by road can be a wonderful experience and is very convenient when you pick up your car hire in Melbourne airport.

If you are still looking for a reason to explore this city, then check out the following attractions which will for sure make you fall in love with Melbourne.

A great shopping experience: The suburban markets in Melbourne can be a delight for shop-a-holics. You can visit a number of exciting market places and shop till you drop. Chapel Street, the Queen Victoria Market, Collins place etc are some of the places you can easily visit when booking a car hire in Melbourne airport.

Fun filled daytime activities: The days in Melbourne are full of many distracting activities you can be part of during a day trip to this magical city. The Sidney Myer music bowl often hosts free Orchestral Concerts, seeing Melbourne’s amazing street art is a fantastic way to explore the city free; and there is many museums and galleries to visit.

The Nightlife: Melbourne’s night life is also very exciting and thrilling. There are lots of amazing outdoor bars with scenic views that will surely delight you. The Taxi Dining Room is famous among the outdoor bars while Siglo is the rooftop bar here.

The Yarra Valley: It is just an hour away from Melbourne, but is among the prime reasons to pay a visit to the city. It offers great number of top-class accommodations, magnificent activities and attractions, and most prominently, good food and superior wine.

So, book a car hire in Melbourne airport today and set out on an expedition that will be a memorable experience for you!

Dining out in Melbourne, the best 5 Restaurants to visit!

Posted September 19, 2014 Dining out in Melbourne, the best 5 Restaurants to visit!by Melbourne Car Rental

Australia’s sophisticated southern city, Melbourne is a boon for gastronomic travelers. The city has a wide variety of cuisines that not just tempt your taste buds, but are a flavour to relish.

Here check out the top 5 restaurants in Melbourne which for sure are a delight to visit. Have a look:

Vue de Monde
It is a great hit in Melbourne. The main cuisine here happens to be Modern Australian. There are around four- and 10-course tasting menus. It is an ideal place for all who are looking for an extra exclusive experience. If you would like a Vue de Monde experience that is a little different, try Café Vue at Heide which is located at the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

Attica
Another place to pamper the foodie in you, Attica also specialises in Modern Australian cuisine. The restaurant’s signature menu includes Virginia Rose potato unwrapped, dressed and steamed under earth, a play on the Maori cooking technique Hangi.

Mo Vida
The cuisine here you get is tad different, as here it’s Spanish. All those who want to taste the Spanish delicacies, found solace in Mo Vida.

Cutler & CO.
The restaurant serves uniquely Australian ingredients such as Marron, a Western Australian river crayfish, which are served à la carte and in classy, eight-course savouring menus. The cuisine here is Modern Australian.

Pei Modern
The ideal cuisine at Pei Modern happens to be Modern Australian. However, the seasonal menu keeps changing on a daily basis. It is often complimented by some renowned dish along with the best of wines available in the country.

These are some of the better restaurants in Melbourne that not just offer tempting and super delicious dishes but are even known for their style statement. The ambience of each is elegant, soothing and provides an experience that will last with you forever!

Enjoy the best driving experience with Melbourne Car Rental!

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May Madness – 3 day car hire specials!

Enjoy the 3 day hire specials only at Melbourne Car Rental. Best car hire deals at best price!
Only for rentals booked and returned by 31st May 2014

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Travel Victoria Info

Top 13 Places to Visit in Victoria & Ski Victoria Resort Information

Daylesford & Hepburn Springs

Distance 110km Approx drive time 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Travel along the Western Highway through the thoroughbred country of Melton, home to many famous racehorses. Further along the highway, pass through Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, where historic architecture recalls the late 1800s and early 1900s. To the north, visit Lerderderg State Park or Wombat State Forest. Continue onto Daylesford. If you have time, unwind with a mineral bath or one of many other therapeutic treatments at the Hepburn Spa Resort.

Phillip Island

Distance 140km Approx drive time 2 hours

Commence your self drive experience to Phillip Island. Enroute, you can experience true Aussie hospitality at Warrook Cattle Farm. You are welcomed into the historic homestead with its antique furniture and open fires to enjoy a delicious home-cooked BBQ, join the weatherproof hayride for a “full farm tour” finishing with Billy Tea. Other activities include shearing, working sheep dogs, hand milking, feeding the lamb and boomerang throwing. Continue on to San Remo where you will cross the bridge to Phillip Island – home to the world famous Penguin Parade, one of Australia’s most popular natural tourist attractions. Discover Cape Woolamai where land and sea collide as pounding surf thunders against granite cliffs.

Yarra Valley

Melbourne to Yarra Valley – approximately 47 kilometres or 60 minutes

A visit to Domaine Chandon can easily be incorporated into a day spent exploring this beautiful area with its hills, forests, the famous animalsanctuary at Healesville and many other wineries with cellar door and restaurant facilities.

Hanging Rock

Approx 45 minutes drive from Melbourne

Hanging Rock has crammed in a lot over 6 million years…. from a reputed refuge for bushrangers to a colorful host of popular horse races, the Rock could tell you many tales about the region’s history… if you listen close enough…

Hanging Rock (Mt. Diogenes) is a rare volcanic formation located near the townships of Woodend & Mount Macedon in Victoria, Australia. It is home of the Hanging Rock Cup & Races, and setting of the world renown novel & film Picnic at Hanging Rock. It is also home to various events and a wide array of native flora and fauna.

Great Ocean Road

Distance 670 klms to Port Campbell Return to Melbourne

Allow a 2 day car hire for the Great Ocean Road to see the sights. Coastal journey really starts at Torquay (outside of Geelong) where you can visit the famous Bells Beach and then head on into Anglesea. Great Surf Coast drive through to the popular town of Lorne and onto Apollo Bay driving along spectacular seacliff scenery. From Apollo Bay through the Otways National Park (and tree walk) onto Port Campbell where the now 8 Apostles remain from the initial 12 that used to stand. Don’t forget to sample some of the famous Port Campbell crayfish (Lobster). You have various options on the return route to Melbourne just ask our helpfull City booking office staff for maps and information.

Sorrento & Portsea

Sorrento and Portsea is approximately 1.5 hours south of Melbourne via the Nepean Highway. A year round car and passenger ferry service connects Sorrento with Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, adding an extra dimension to the scenic experience. This makes exploring the region simple and completes the ‘Around the Bay’ touring route.

Sorrento and Portsea are popular summer destination spots for Melburnians and the places are crammed and vibrant over summer. Lots of Cafes, Hotels and things to do. You have Bay beaches for families and back beaches for surfing and fishing. Portsea beach is famous as it’s where allegedly the former Prime Minister of Australia went missing and his body was never found.

Alpine High Plains

Trip length 4 days – Total distance 898km – Road conditions All sealed roads

Experience Australia’s highest year-round-accessible sealed road, winding past lofty mountains, scenic valleys, towering forests, rivers, vineyards and farms. Along the way sample local produce and premium wine and make time to fish, cycle, climb or go horseback riding. Choose from a wide range of luxurious accommodation in the region.

Melbourne to Beechworth 3hrs 15mins; 285km
Beechworth to Omeo 3hrs 10mins; 209km
Omeo to Bairnsdale 1hr 30mins; 122km
Bairnsdale to Melbourne 4hrs; 282km

Grampians National Park

Distance from Melbourne: 260km (162 miles). Approximate drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

The Grampians National Park is 167,000 hectares of prime Aussie bushland, and stretches 90 kilometres north to south. While words and pictures can only partially re-create the majesty of the Grampians, numbers certainly help us understand the sheer size and biological importance of this region. Visit the town of Halls Gap first to get your bearings. Plenty of accomodation in the town.

Wilsons Promontory

Distance 200 kms from Melbourne via Princess Highway & South Gippsland Highway.

Located at the southernmost tip of the mainland, Wilsons Promontory or the ‘Prom’ as locals refer to in short is one of the largest, most popular and spectacular National Parks within Victoria. Famous for stunning coastline, bushland walks and squeaky beaches where the sand beneath your feet actually squeaks as you walk.

Metung

Distance from Melbourne is approx 330 klm’s. Travelling time approx 4 hours.

This little gem can be easily missed as you head to Lakes Entrance from Bairnsdale in Gippsland. It is by far the best spot in the area yet most people miss it.There is plenty of accomodation in Metung if you consider staying overnight or for the weekend and it’s an ideal place to hire large boats and yachts. Get there and you will see what we mean by it being a gem!

Mildura

Distance from Melbourne to Mildura is 540 klm’s and journey takes approx 6 hours.

Mildura is located in the far north of the state of Victoria and is known as the sunshine capital of Victoria. The town is located on the Murray River and is on the edge of the desert. You can hire a house boat to explore the mighty Murray River or drive around the area and up to Broken Hill in NSW which is approx a 3 hour drive. The town itself is very large and laid back and has some excellent sunsets in the summer. Best time of the year to visit is Autumn, Winter and Spring as it gets a tad HOT in summer!

Information for Travel to Victoria’s Ski Resorts

Victoria’s snow season lasts from June to the end of September. Discover Victoria’s seven alpine resorts with affordable car rental from Melbourne Car Rental. Hire a wagon for skiing and snowboarding, toboggan and cross-country trails, snow tubing and family fun on offer. We allow our rental cars and minbuses to travel to the Victorian ski resorts and we can offer special packages for discount rates car hire for skiing holidays in Victoria. Victoria is also well known for it’s Cross Country Skiing options. Chains are to be used in most areas around the ski fields and are available for hire from many places on route to each Ski Resort.

Victoria’s Ski Resorts – Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Lake Mountain, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Stirling. Travel Time & Distances to the 7 Ski Fields of Victoria

Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain- Travel time around 5 hours.

Distance: 457 km via Hume Hwy & Great Alpine Rd.

Falls Creek – Travel time around 4 hours.

Falls Creek is 356km from Melbourne.

Mt Buller

Distance: 263 kms / 3 hrs from Melbourne.

Lake Mountain

Distance: 170kms from Melbourne via Maroondah Highway approx 2 hours drive.

Mt Baw Baw

Located 153 kilometres via Yarra Junction approx 1.5 hours from Melbourne.

Mt Stirling

Approx 250 klms from Melbourne drive time approx 2.5 hours.

Above are the Top 13 places to visit in Victoria. It would be a great memorable trip for you.