Must Haves When Touring the Melbourne Region by Car

• By: Editor
• On: 05/Jan/2009
• In: Australia Travel Tips

Before you set out on your tour of Melbourne make sure you brush up on the rules of the road. Driving is on the left hand side of the road, and make sure you obey all the traffic signs and speed limits.

The speed limit in the urban areas of the city is usually around 60km per hour. Freeways and highways usually have a limit from 100 to 110km per hour. Make sure that you have your current driving licence with you at all times.

Observe the Give Way signs that buses display – they have the right of way when they signal that they are pulling out from a stop.

Get yourself a good map of the city and the surrounding area. This will help you find your way to the major tourist attractions, whether its wine tasting, lazing the days away on a beach , or exploring for example the Goldfields region!

Hire a car with a good satellite navigation system. A good system will tell you what routes to take as you leave the city, and whether you are taking the Nepean Highway (N3), the Calder Highway (M79) or any of the other main freeways to the rural locations outside Melbourne.

You should try to have knowledge of the routes that will maximize your visits to attractions – without a doubt you may be only taking a whistle stop tour of certain areas – in this case knowledge of the best routes is an absolute must! For example, if you are stuck for time, why not take a day trip to the Mornington Peninsula along the Nepean Highway N3.

Another day trip will take you to the wonderful Sunbury Region, just over 40km from Melbourne. Taking the M79 (Calder Highway) will bring you here, and with proper planning you can visit as many vineyards and attractions as you wish.

The wineries in the stunning backdrop of the mighty Macedon Ranges can be easily reached from Melbourne along the Calder Highway (M79) and you can pack in winery tours and overnight accommodation should you so wish.

A trip on the B110 will give you an action packed trip along the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, you can enjoy surfing, relaxing on the beach, and views of wonderful coastal erosion and landscapes. Using Google maps is a great way to plan your journey and gain knowledge of the routes.

You must have a proper plan of your self drive tour before you set out – when you arrive in Melbourne (if flying from abroad) you will naturally be exhausted – so take time to rest and prepare for your journey by getting a good map (see above). More than likely you will have a great idea of some of the places you want to see in the Melbourne region, and this will determine the routes of your drive tour. It could be well worth checking out car hire costs for one way and circular routes, so as to be more economical!

It's a pleasure to drive around Australia, and with proper planning you'll discover the gems that have enticed visitors to the Melbourne Region for many years! When you collect your car, make sure everything is in proper working order, from the oil and tyre pressure to the wipers, to the spare tyre in the boot!

So now you have it – our guide to the must haves when touring Melbourne by car! Why not reserve car hire Melbourne? You'll receive instant confirmation on your bookings.

If you have any comments or questions we'd love to hear from you.