Melbourne car hire

[GarrettM]

Hi all.
Does anyone have any recommendation, tips, promo secrets, or otherwise on car hire in Melbourne?
Heading that way in April for a week and a bit with the family and considering options for taking a couple of day trips out of the city.
Maybe like a Lakes Entrance or Ballarat or some such.
I believe we could train it to Geelong or Portsea if we were so inclined?
Cheers.

 

[OzEire]

Helicopter to Geelong

But OT, I have had some very bad exp with car rental at MEL airport. I've switched companies but the problems are fairly universal there. At busy times it's not unusual to wait 30-60 mins for a car to "come from the wash" even for pre-booked vehicles. My suggestion is to use the company you have the highest status with, and book above the basic class vehicle, don't order any extras... All of this puts you higher up in the upgrade pecking order and if things get busy you might find you are upgraded several classes just to clear their backlog. Good luck.

 

[GarrettM]

Thanks for the tips. A couple of them will be useful. Not likely to be picking up from the airport though, which may make it a little easier.
I'll give it some thought.
Cheers.

 

[cove]

You may enjoy the Great Ocean Road drive. Everyone seems to love this but we have not done it.
Geelong on the train if you want the AFL game down there. The two local stadiums are nicer and you can walk/tram it.
Quicksilver in Perth can organize your transfers to and from the airport if you don't want to go taxi or Skybus.
Haven't hired a car recently so others should help on this.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Garret Melbourne to Lakes boring 4hr drive - forget that. Much better bet is drive to Philip Island - you can see the penguin parade if you so desire. Sovereign Hill at Ballarat is worth seeing - very easy drive.

Great Ocean Rd to Lorne beautiful drive - you could do around the bay - drive to Queensclff on western side bay - take ferry across to Sorrento - drive back up to Melbourne - or reverse way - or just drive around Mornington Penisular - some nice wineries and lovely scenery.

Drive to Yarra Valley to wineries - close and lovely scenery. Healesville Sanctury great for kids - they will literally be within 2 to 3mtrs many diff animals - kids will love it. Plenty alternatives - as always Google your best friend - we will help with our input for any questions you have.

 

[Awesom Andy]

It also depends on how you're planning getting out of the airport. On my last trip, it was for 48 hours and there were 3 of us, and it worked out cheaper to hire a small car, drive it to where I want to go to, park it there for the whole weekend, and drive it back, plus fuel, instead of catching the Skybus.

Also check where you'll drop off the car, as some companies charge one-way fees even if it's a pick up from a city location and then a drop off at the airport.

If you can do more than a couple of days for a trip, consider doing the Great Ocean Road, then up to The Grampians, and then back to Melbourne via Ballarat. Allow for a total driving time of 10 hours in good traffic so probably best done over at least 3 days.