Search car rental at Melbourne - Clayton

Hiring a car in Clayton

If you’re planning a road trip from Clayton, the best way to do so is to hire a rental car, then get out and explore. Within Melbourne and its inner suburbs, it’s easy to get everywhere you want to go with public transport. But some of Victoria’s most beautiful locations are situated outside of Melbourne. While you could book onto a tour from Melbourne, renting a car will give you the freedom to set your own road trip schedule. You can visit the places you want to see, and spend as much time in each place as you would like. Experience somewhere new on your next getaway, and rent a car in Clayton, Victoria.

Things to know before hiring a car in Clayton

When renting a car in Clayton, or anywhere in Australia, there are several requirements renters must meet. First, you must hold a full driving license and be at least 21 years old. Drivers younger than 24 can rent a car, but they will incur a young driver fee on top of the normal rental car amount. Renters also must hold a driving license in English. If your license is in a different language, you will need to carry an international driving permit with you while driving in Australia. You can obtain an international driving permit online. When you rent a car in Clayton, it is also vital to have rental car insurance. Many Australian credit card companies offer free rental car insurance to their customers. If you are not covered by your credit card company, you can purchase a rental insurance plan when you pick up your car rental in Clayton.

While driving in Australia, be sure to follow the country’s general rules of the road. These include driving on the left side of the road and understanding how to do a hook turn while driving in central Melbourne. When you head out of the city and reach rural parts of Victoria, it is also important to watch for animals. In rural Australia, kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies can regularly be seen near the road. If an animal crosses into your path, not only will the animal get hurt, but it could damage the rental car as well. To avoid this, stick to the speed limit and be aware of your surroundings. If you can stick to driving only during the day, that will also decrease your chance of coming across any animals by the road.

Once you head into the rural parts of Australia and national parks, you may come across some roads that can only be accessed by 4x4 cars. Sometimes, the top attractions are located down an unsealed road that can’t be accessed by standard cars. Before reserving your rental car, check to see if the route you want to take includes unsealed roads. If so, you may want to pay that little bit more to reserve a 4x4 car, so you won’t have to miss out on anything you want to see.

What to do when hiring a car in Clayton

The Mornington Peninsula

Within about 40 minutes of leaving Clayton, you can be at the start of the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula. The peninsula offers a laid-back vibe with quiet towns, beaches, wineries, and native wildlife. Some of the most popular spots to visit on the Mornington Peninsula include London Bridge, the Bay of Islands, Sorrento Back Beach, Mills Beach, and the famous Peninsula Hot Springs. In order to experience some Aussie animals, you can head to the Briars to see koalas or Highfield within Mornington National Park to see lots of kangaroos.

The Grampians

If you head about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west of Clayton, you’ll reach the Grampians. This popular destination is a mountain range and a national park. Within the Grampians, there are lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, unforgettable views, and native wildlife. Some popular places to go within the Grampians are the Pinnacle hike and lookout, MacKenzie Falls, the Balconies, the Boroka Lookout, and Ngamadjidj Aboriginal Art Shelter. The region is also known for its several wineries and lots of highly rated restaurants. Taking a trip from Clayton to the Grampians is the perfect way to spend a weekend. If you have extra time, you could even combine the Grampians with a road trip along the Great Ocean Road.

Great Ocean Road

West of Melbourne, this coastal drive is one of the most iconic in Australia. The road stretches for 243 kilometres (150 miles), hugging the Victorian coastline along the way. All along the Great Ocean Road, there are incredible views and so much to see. Start the Great Ocean Road drive in Geelong, then continue west. Some of the top places to visit on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road include Bells Beach in Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, the Twelve Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge. Many people do the Great Ocean Road in a day trip. However, to truly experience the magic of the area, try to schedule two or three days to make your way along the Great Ocean Road.