Great Ocean Road (Melbourne to Apollo Bay)
187 km ยท about 3 hours
Visit Victoria's three-day touring route starts in Melbourne, runs on to Apollo Bay and Port Fairy, then returns via Colac (288 km, about 3.5 hours).
Melbourne Airport car hire
Car rental counters at Melbourne Airport are on the ground floor of the T123 car park, opposite Terminal 2. Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Sixt all use it, and all six return to the same place, with a drop box after hours. Melbourne's toll roads are cashless, so decide on a toll package at the counter.
Updated
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) at a glance
- Airport code
- MEL (Tullamarine)
- Rental counters
- Ground floor of the T123 car park, opposite Terminal 2
- Companies
- Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Sixt
- Return
- Ground floor of the T123 car park; follow Car Rental Return Entry signs via Centre Road
- To the CBD by taxi
- About 30 minutes
- After hours
- All on-site companies offer an after-hours return with a labelled drop box
Compare cars at Melbourne Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Before you book, open the offer and check where that company's desk or depot is, the bond, and what the agreement says about the roads you plan to drive.
Preparing live car hire search
Picking up at Melbourne Airport
Six named brands have airport counters, listed below. Counters mostly open to match flights; confirm hours with your provider.
| Company | Where |
|---|---|
| Avis | Terminal car park |
| Budget | Terminal car park |
| Europcar | Terminal car park |
| Hertz | Terminal car park |
| Redspot | Terminal car park |
| Sixt | Terminal car park |
Ground floor of the T123 car park
Collecting the car
- 1
Follow the signs from your terminal to ground level and then to the T123 car park. The rental counters are on its ground floor, opposite Terminal 2.
- 2
Have your driver's licence, a credit card in your name and your booking confirmation or rental agreement ready. The licence must be current and printed in English.
- 3
Ask about tolls at the counter. Melbourne's toll roads are cashless, and most providers sell a toll package you can add to your booking.
- 4
Collect your keys at the counter. If you land late, check your provider's hours first: some providers offer after-hours pick-up, but not all, so confirm this when you book.
Returning your car at Melbourne Airport
- 1
Approach via Terminal Drive, turn right onto Centre Road and follow the signs for Car Rental Returns. The return point is the ground floor of the T123 car park, a short walk from the terminals.
- 2
The nearest petrol station is the BP at the corner of Centre Rd and Melbourne Dr, a short drive from the Car Rental Returns entrance.
- 3
If you are flying straight after, allow extra time so you are not rushing between the car park and check-in.
- 4
After hours, all on-site providers offer a return process: leave the keys and paperwork in the clearly labelled drop box at the car rental counters on the same level.
Drives from Melbourne Airport
Distances are approximate and measured along the road.
Phillip Island
90 to 120 minutes to the island
Allow a further 20 minutes from the bridge to the Penguin Parade; free parking on site.
Torquay, start of the Great Ocean Road
just over an hour from Melbourne
A short first leg if you would rather collect the car and get out of the city.
For a Murray and Sunraysia itinerary, compare a flight to Mildura Airport and local hire with a much longer drive from Melbourne.
Guides for trips from Melbourne Airport
Airport versus city car hireIs airport or city car hire cheaper? Compare total rental cost, branch hours, transfers and return location on the same datesDriving at dusk and wildlifeWildlife is active near roads at dawn and duskDriving in Australia with a UK licenceUK photocard holders can drive as temporary visitors in AustraliaElectric car hire in AustraliaBefore hiring an electric car, plan charging stops with a backup and check the return charge rulesElectric Car Hire MelbourneConsidering an electric hire car in Melbourne? Check the booked model, AC and DC charging, regional charger maps, return charge rule and rental terms.Great Ocean Road self drive from MelbourneThe Great Ocean Road runs 243 km from Torquay to AllansfordMelbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean RoadMelbourne to Adelaide is 728 km direct in about 8 hours; the Great Ocean Road route is a 4 day, 989 km tripMelbourne to Bright driveDrive from Melbourne to Bright via the Hume Freeway and Snow Road, then the Great Alpine RoadMelbourne to Grampians DriveAllow about three hours from Melbourne to the Grampians via Ballarat and AraratMelbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive and One-Way HireThe coastal route is 1,432 km and about 20 driving hoursMelbourne to the snow: drives to Buller, Falls Creek and Baw BawMt Buller is 248 km and about 3 hours from MelbourneMelbourne tolls in a hire carPlan Melbourne hire-car tolls on CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel
Driving around Melbourne Airport
Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink
The Tullamarine Freeway links the airport to the city and leads onto the tolled CityLink network. Check Linkt's toll calculator for your route before you rely on it.
Cashless tolls
Using a Melbourne toll road without a pass can lead to extra administration charges or fines. Linkt's Visitor's Pass costs $3.50 to open online and its CityLink 24-hour pass is $24.25; whether rental cars can use them depends on your rental company, so ask yours first.
Kangaroos on the northern fringe
Kangaroos are most active at dawn, dusk and night; Sunbury, Wallan and Gisborne are among the areas with the most wildlife collision claims (claims from January 2021 to June 2026). These towns are north and north-west of Melbourne.
Hook turns in the CBD
If you are driving from the airport into the CBD, keep to the far left at 'right turn from left only' signs and wait for the lights on the road you enter to change.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) car hire questions
Rental terms differ by company. Where an answer depends on your agreement, we say so.
Where are the car rental desks at Melbourne Airport?
On the ground floor of the T123 car park, opposite Terminal 2. Follow signs to ground level from your terminal.
Which car hire companies are at Melbourne Airport?
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Sixt are the six named rental providers at Melbourne Airport. Confirm your selected branch in the booking.
Where do I return a rental car at Melbourne Airport?
To the ground floor of the T123 car park. Come in via Terminal Drive, turn right onto Centre Road and follow the Car Rental Return Entry signs. After hours, use your provider's drop box on the same floor.
Can I hire a car at Melbourne Airport 24 hours?
Most counters operate during flight hours rather than round the clock, and only some offer after-hours pick-up; all on-site providers offer after-hours return. Hertz's airport hours are 6am to 1am on weekdays. Confirm your provider's hours when you book.
Are there tolls from Melbourne Airport to the city?
Melbourne's toll roads are cashless, and the Tullamarine Freeway leads onto tolled CityLink. Sort out a toll package with your rental company before you leave the counter.
Do I need an international driving permit?
Only if your overseas licence is not in English and you have no English translation. The licence must be current and printed in English to rent at Melbourne Airport.
Nearby and often combined
Melbourne CBDCBD depots for day trips out of the cityAvalon AirportCloser to Geelong and the Great Ocean RoadGeelongSurf Coast and Great Ocean Road startAdelaide AirportGateway to the Hills, Barossa and FleurieuVictoria car hireEvery Victoria pickup, road rules and seasonsCar hire in AustraliaLicences, tolls and where to fly in, state by state
Compare Melbourne Airport car hire
Search live prices in Australian dollars, then check the pickup point and conditions on the offer.