Car Hire Melbourne Airport

Drive your cheap car hire Melbourne Airport rental to the tree-lined St. Kilda Road, get your dose of art from the National Art Gallery of Victoria, and see a show from the Melbourne Art Centre a few steps away. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, make your way down the footpaths to the river to browse the Arts Centre Market, then make your way to the Myer Music Bowl. Plus, remember that you’re not too far from the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Queen Victoria Gardens if you fancy a taste of natural beauty. Might we also recommend grabbing a bite at the Saké Restaurant & Bar at Hammer Hall for an award-winning Japanese and seafood dining experience?If you’re looking for some retail therapy, you might want to head on over with your Melbourne car rental to Bourke Street Mall, where you can find flagship stores of the biggest names in fashion. Out there, you’ll find David Jones, Myer, the Royal Arcade, Union Lane and Melbourne’s GPO, among others.And for sports fans, the Sports Precinct welcomes you with open arms. Time your visit right, and you can witness your favourite events in one of the many sporting arenas in the area, including John Cain Arena, AAMI Park, Margaret Court Arena and the Rod Laver Arena.Another happening spot is Flinders Lane. You can visit this location for food and wine places, such as the Salted Egg, SingSong, Journal, Go Go Bar, Lee Ho Fook and the Botswana Butchers. Plus, you can get another shopping dose from Kuwaii, Alpha60, Masons, e.g.etal, and Craft Victoria. You’ll also find the City Library down this way.If you’re feeling for a little riverside fun, the Yarra Precinct will spoil you for choice. On the river’s north bank, you can book a guided tour to learn about the Aboriginal rock carvings along Birrarung Marr and the Koorie Heritage Trust. Some nearby art galleries are in the area, including NGV International, the Ian Potter Centre, THE LUME and ACMI. And for drinks and food, you can check out Hero, Yarra Botanica, Arbory, MoVida, Ponyfish Island or Big Esso.Melbourne is teeming with exciting laneways for everyone to explore, all with hidden—and some not-so-secret—gems. You can drive up to Crossley Street for a collection of quirky shops and cafes, Presgrave Place for a brick-wall laneway lined with curious artworks or Somerset Place for quiet drinks, such as beers, wines and specialty coffees. Warburton Lane is known for its street art and a Spanish tapas place for you to discover. Then, there’s ACDC Lane, Duckboard Place with its uptown street vibe, the quintessential Centre Place, and so much more.

But please don’t think that Melbourne is known only for its museums, galleries and sports venues. As we’ve previously mentioned, the multicultural soul of the city paved the way to a collection of global cuisines—sometimes fused with one another—giving birth to an authentic gastronomic signature that’s uniquely Melbourne. Try to visit as many as you can with your cheap car rental Melbourne airport.Starting off with one of the premier dining destinations in the country, chef Ben Shewry’s Attica is a multi-awarded restaurant serving indulgent dishes, such as their Saltwater Croc Ribs, Marron Head Souffle and Hand-Churned Ice Cream and Rainforest Cherries. You’ll need to book a table in advance because their reputation keeps their calendar full three months ahead.Another noteworthy place is Estelle. With a 65-seat dining area, upstairs private seating, a courtyard dining space and a wine bar, they certainly earned their spot in the Good Food Guide’s best-of-2022 list. From light snacks to five-course menus with wines to match, you can enjoy your food and drinks in a rustic brick wall and timber setting.If you’re feeling for something Chinese, Victor Liong’s Lee Ho Fook—which also made it to the best-of-2022 list—provides interesting spins on classic lunch and diner menus. Find them in the iconic Flinders Lane as they take the legacy of Chinese cuisine as they elevate them into something uniquely Australian.It’s up to you if you’d describe it as minimalist or intimate—or both—but chef Tomotaka Ishizuka’s namesake restaurant, Ishizuka, gives its patrons a 16-seater, subterranean fine dining experience. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, you’ll be taken on a journey of flavours based on what the seasons give fresh.If you’re not looking for a full meal and just looking for a relaxed spot from where to soak up all of Melbourne’s vibes, compare the many coffee shops or bakeries for the perfect fit. Here are some of our recommendations for that early-morning wake-me-up or lazy afternoon sip. The Mansfield Coffee Merchant will hit your senses with the smell of fresh-ground specialty-grade beans. But that’s after you fail not to notice their five-kilogram roaster sitting by the window. Once you enter, their personable and attentive staff will guide you through their selections of single-origin or unique blends and their all-day menu consisting of a selection of locally sourced modern food.If you’re driving on or near the Great Ocean Road, stop and refuel your soul at Poppies Café & Nursery. Nestled in the heart of Anglesea, the family-run establishment will provide you with the freshest eats to complement your cup. Their collection of beautiful greens and flowers defines the epitome of what a tranquil experience is all about.The Vanilla Slice Café Sorrento in Ocean Beach Road is another place worth checking out. Dubbed the home of the Famous Vanilla Slice, its old-fashioned charm and limestone façade will create the perfect backdrop for that perfect lazy, laid-back day. Their freshly baked goods are all hand-made from locally sourced ingredients. Additionally, you can also visit them for savoury dishes, such as their Sorrento Beef Burger or breakfast, which includes their famous Eggs Benny.Another place worth mentioning is the Webster’s Market and Café on historic Webster Street. While they’re well-known for their gourmet blends and specialty foods, you can also visit them for house-made sodas and a breakfast-to-dinner menu. Enjoy good food and strong coffee while relaxing in a tree-lined streetscape.

Melbourne also knows no shortage of watering holes; wherever in the city you may go, there’s always something interesting to discover.Aireys Pub & SALT Brewing Co. by the Great Ocean Road has been an icon in the region since 1904. This massive beer garden offers great food and live music to every beer lover in town. Visit their website to see their live music schedules or to book your table. On the other side of the business, the brewery created the most exquisite collection of custom-shaped beers, from lagers to ales, XPAs and IPAs, all the way to their coffee-infused stout.Another place you can try by the Great Ocean Road is the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse in Apollo Bay. This local craft brewery and restaurant is well-known for tapping out nothing but the finest beers in the region. Their brewhouse features a tasting room, well-frequented by locals and travellers alike—sample the local beers while enjoying a produce platter filled with locally produced dips, cheeses, bread and olive oil. You can also turn to this place for budget-friendly accommodation, suitable for single travellers, families and big groups.If you’re after something of a relaxed service style, hit the Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford pub. This iconic location has been a gathering place for locals and travellers alike and has been going on for more than 160 years. They have a beer garden, pub-style dining and a farmers’ kitchen offering a private 6-course, locally sourced menu.If you happen to stay or pass by the small town of Avoca, make sure you pull over to The Avoca. This multi-awarded gastropub located within the beautifully restored country hotel specialises in utilising high-quality local produce from the nearby wine regions. Their wine list is known for its depth and breadth, with an equally extraordinary beer menu to match.The hundred-year-old Daylesford Hotel will take you back to the charming Victorian era with its impressive architecture and warm hospitality. Their in-house pub features a menu that changes with the seasons, featuring fresh local produce and an impressive wine list to pair it with. This place is perfect for you if you’re looking for authentic, traditional Australian pub food and beers.Another hotel pub offering a hefty range of local wines and classic beers along with locally produced fresh food is the Bunyip Hotel Cavendish. Pay them a visit at Scott Street and experience scrumptious food in an iconic watering hole. And if you’re looking for something with live music, the beer garden at The Bridge Hotel takes it seriously. Enjoy craft beer, local wines and pub food from chef Ben Armstrong while listening to the in-house band bar on stage.

If you’re in the mood for some peace and quiet or to simply reconnect with nature to take a break from the bustle of the metropolis, Melbourne has a long list of botanical destinations for you to choose from.Right within the beating heart of Melbourne sits the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Split into two sections; the first one is the Melbourne Gardens. This 38-hectare collection of landscaped blooms and exotic vegetation is perfect for everybody, especially those travelling with children. You can take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk and get the chance to spot bellbirds, black swans, kookaburras and other local wildlife. For the longer summer nights, they showcase outdoor film screenings, live performances and other cultural exhibitions.The second section, the 15-hectare Cranbourne Gardens, lets you explore the diversity of the lush Australian landscape. With red sand, wildflowers, a rockpool and waterholes, this place is perfect for the inquisitive mind—kids and adults alike. The woodlands feature a picnic area where you can take a couple of moments off and just absorb nature’s beauty.The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens pays tribute to the original garden of the historic Burnham Beeches estate but recognises that it’s part of the Aboriginal cultural landscape of the Wurundjeri People. You can spend a day lazing about by a picturesque lake by a boathouse and taking walks through ever-changing landscapes of breathtaking blooms and foliage.If you drive up to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, you’ll have a great vantage point for breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley. This cool-climate collection of flora features collections of azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons, and native and exotic trees. Another spectacular marvel of this garden is that seasonal changes bring about a change in scenery. You can also check out their Garden Explorer, a people mover providing 25-minute guided garden tours.