Sydney might host Australia’s most iconic skyline, but Melbourne takes the reins as the country’s cultural capital. Famed for its bar-studded alleyways, bustling multicultural restaurants, and trendy café scene, the vibrant Victorian metropolis boasts a lively cosmopolitan vibe.
But it’s not just about the food and drink scene. The city has a plethora of worthwhile attractions, from diverse art galleries to historic colonial sites and lush inner-city parklands.
What’s more, Melbourne serves as a jumping-off point for exploring Victoria in a campervan. Straddling the southeast corner of mainland Australia, this compact little state packs a big punch. Scenic coastal drives, wildlife-rich rainforests, and untouched national parks beckon adventurers to the great outdoors.
With so much natural splendor in such a small area, it’s no wonder Victoria has become one of Australia’s premier RV destinations. Top-notch RV infrastructure has cropped up to meet demand, with campsites, dump stations, and water refills scattered throughout the state.
One-way rentals are also a popular choice, with many travelers opting to drive to Adelaide, up north to Sydney, or even Brisbane or Perth in Western Australia.
Skip the pricey rental car and hotel combo and book an easy, budget-friendly campervan to explore this amazing city and state.
Discover Australia your way by choosing a class of campervan that suits your travel needs.
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
A fully-equipped camper is the most cost-effective and convenient way to explore the state's immense natural beauty.
Here are the top reasons you should rent a campervan for your next Victoria adventure.
Cheap: The camper combines your transport and accommodation expenses, saving you a significant sum on car rental and hotels.
Convenient: Forget about returning to Melbourne's grid-locked streets after a long day. A motorhome lets you pull up at a nearby campsite for a restful night's sleep.
Freedom: You don't need to pre-book hotels or plan in-depth itineraries when rolling in a motorhome. The freedom of the open road is difficult to understate.
Amenities: You'll have all (or at least some of) the comforts of home right there when you need them, from charging points to clean clothes and food.
Self-catering: Eating out costs a fortune in Australia. But your mobile kitchen lets you enjoy budget-friendly outdoor picnics with a breathtaking view.
Remember these helpful tips when driving around Melbourne in a campervan rental:
There are toll roads in Victoria, particularly in and around Melbourne.
Some of the notable toll roads in the area include:
These toll roads use electronic tolling systems, such as e-TAG, to collect fees automatically as vehicles pass through the toll points. If you plan to drive in Victoria, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the toll roads and the payment methods available.
Australia’s second-largest city has no shortage of worthwhile sites.
At its heart lies Federation Square, a sprawling block-sized plaza flanked by abstract edifices. Get there via the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station, taking a moment to admire its arched entranceways and early 20th-century facade. Across the road, you’ll spy St Paul’s Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic construction known for its razor-sharp spires.
Melbourne’s cultural cache gravitates around its eclectic collection of galleries and museums. The pièce de résistance is the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum. Other worthwhile options include the Melbourne Museum, the Arts Center Melbourne, the Immigration Museum, ACMI and Scienceworks.
A stone’s throw from the CBD, the Royal Botanic Gardens spans 89 acres of immaculately manicured flora. Nearby, the Fitzroy and Carlton Gardens offer additional quiet respite from the pulsating city life.
Interested in early-colonial architecture?
Melbourne has landmarks aplenty. Take a squiz at the State Library Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Building, the Shrine of Remembrance, Cooks’ Cottage, Abbotsford Convent, and Old Melbourne Gaol.
Shopaholics (and curious window shoppers) mustn’t miss Queen Victoria Market, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest open-air marketplace. Other unique retail spaces include the opulent Block Arcade and the colorful South Melbourne Market.
For the best panoramic views, head to the 88th-floor observatory at the Melbourne Skydeck. Animal lovers could check out the Melbourne Zoo or SEA LIFE Aquarium, while sports fanatics should snag match tickets for the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to wining and dining in Melbourne. Hit Chinatown for flavorful Oriental eats, Southbank for chic riverside digs, or St Kilda for a youthful seaside vibe. Other gastronomic hotspots include Brunswick Street (Fitzroy), Lygon Street (Carlton), and Chapel Street (CBD).
Within easy reach of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges boasts lush canopies of towering ash trees. The outlying Yarra Valley is Victoria’s viniculture epicenter, with scenic wineries as far as the eye can see.
Top-shelf natural attractions unfurl in every direction on a road trip from Melbourne. Head east or west along the salt-lashed coastline, or venture inland to savor country Victoria’s charms.
The western route takes travelers along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most sought-after road trips.
If time permits, make a pit stop at Geelong to peruse museums and kick back on its crescent-shaped waterfront esplanade. The adjacent Bellarine Peninsula is a worthy off-the-beaten-path detour with scenic vineyards and windswept beaches—don't miss Queenscliff.
Back on the Great Ocean Road, the seaside settlements of Torquay and Anglesea boast beautiful coastal vistas and world-class surf breaks. Every Aussie 90s child should stop by Aireys Inlet to whistle Round the Twist melodies at Split Point Lighthouse.
Take it slow on the next westerly stretch to savor those stunning coastal views—stop off at Memorial Arch for an iconic photo op. Laidback Lorne is a vacation hotspot for its splendid scenery and nearby natural sites. Check out Teddy's Lookout and Erskine Falls.
Stop to stretch your legs at Wye River and Kennett River before rolling into Apollo Bay, an unpretentious seaside town and the gateway for Cape Otway adventures.
The most postcard-worthy Great Ocean Road sites reside around Port Campbell. While the jagged limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles take center stage, cragged coastal photo ops abound. Don't miss the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, and The Bay of Islands.
If more western adventures beckon, take the time to check out the coastline surrounding Warrnambool, Port Fairy, and Portland.
Although the eastern route doesn't receive the same international acclaim, this sparsely populated region, known as Gippsland, brims with beautiful beaches, mountains, and lakes.
First up is Mornington Peninsula, a scenic cape full of vineyards, open-air galleries, hot springs, and hikes. Kick back in Point Nepean National Park and enjoy sweeping vistas from the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola. Worthwhile Mornington towns include Sorrento, Portsea, Dromana, Rosebud, Flinders, Mount Martha, and Rye.
Hit Phillip Island's Summerland Beach at sunset to watch the adorable Penguin Parade. Next, try Nobbies Rock to see a colony of lazy Australian fur seals.
Heading east, stop off at Inverlock before rocking up at Wilsons Promontory, Victoria's most mind-blowing national park. Outdoor adventures range from accessible scenic lookouts to stunning secluded beaches and multi-day backcountry forays.
A short detour inland leads to Tarra-Bulga National Park, famed for its lush rainforests and enormous tree ferns. The coastal route takes you to stunning seaside towns like Lake Entrance and Metung— both idyllic spots to laze the day away by the water. Near the NSW border, Mallacoota is a lovely coastal town wedged between a scenic inlet, and the untamed Croajingolong National Park
Occupying large areas of northeast Victoria, the High Country offers some of Australia's most dramatic alpine scenery.
Lofty hilltops in Mount Buller and Hotham draw skiers during the snow-covered winter months. Warmer temperatures see hikers, mountain bikers, and intrepid 4WDers head to the hills. Some of the most sought-after protected areas include Alpine National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park, Snowy River National Park, and Cathedral Range State Park.
Picturesque townships are scattered throughout the hills. Rutherglen, Beechworth, Bright, Yackandandah, and Myrtleford offer breathtaking alpine scenery and intriguing historical sites.
The central and western sections of inland Victoria give rise to rolling pastoral lands and historical Gold Rush towns.
Ballarat and Bendigo blend early Australian history with an energetic, urbanized vibe. Cute quaint settlements include the likes of Healesville, Daylesford, Dunkeld, and Clunes.
The mighty Murray River divides Victoria from New South Wales. A string of scenic free campsites line the waterfront and you'll encounter plenty of character-filled towns. Echuca, Mildura, Swan Hill, and Albury Wodonga pull in the biggest crowds.
Avid outdoorsy types mustn't miss Grampians National Park, one of the state's most sought-after hiking destinations. Challenging trails scale the rugged mountainous terrain; routes span short easy walks to arduous multi-day adventures.
The two biggest cities in Australia! In this 7-day campervan itinerary, we’ll be exploring some of Victoria’s many attractions before heading north to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and home of two world-famous icons: Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This is a trip you’ll long remember, filled with uniquely Australian sights, sounds and experiences.
MORE: Melbourne to Sydney ItineraryVictoria's Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful campervan road trips in all of Australia. Wonderful sights, sounds and experiences await you on the Great Ocean Road without having to rack up a huge mileage and spend many hours behind the wheel.
MORE: Great Ocean Road ItinerarySilo art is well on the way to becoming a really big thing. It’s putting tiny little towns on the map—towns most of us have never heard of—and it's attracting thousands of visitors to these remote places to revel in the immensity and impact of these world-class art pieces. Follow the trail and be impressed!
MORE: Victoria Silo Art Trail ItineraryAn Australian resident must hold a valid class C (car) licence to rent a camper in Melbourne. Learners (L), provisional (P) and probationary licences won’t cut it.
Overseas arrivals need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or an approved English translation of a comparable foreign licence.
Generally speaking, drivers must be 21 years of age or older to rent a camper. If you’re under 25, expect to fork out for a young driver surcharge.
Staying in a holiday park, caravan park, or designated campsite is recommended. Free camping is only allowed in designated areas, and overnight parking is generally prohibited. Most caravan parks are located just a short drive away from the city center.
Some popular sites include: Discovery Parks Melbourne, Five Ways Caravan Park, and BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park.
If you wish to explore the city center, it's best to avoid peak traffic hours and to plan where to park ahead of time, especially if you're in a large motorhome.
To kick off your motorhome vacation, you may also want to plan a road trip close to Melbourne and explore the Mornington Peninsula, Bells Beach, and Dandenong National Park or experience rural Victoria, the Yarra Valley, and Yarra River.
When renting a vehicle, it is standard to be charged a bond (security deposit), also known as ‘excess’, which is the amount the renter is liable to cover in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle. The bond amount fluctuates based on the insurance package selected at the time of rental and is charged and debited on the renters’ credit or debit card.
Most campervan rental companies in Australia require the driver to be 21 years of age or older to rent from their full range of vehicles.
Some companies will rent to drivers between 18-21, but only certain models may be available. A couple of companies have higher age requirements - 23 (Leisure Rent) and 24 (Captain Billy’s). Enter the driver’s age into our search tool and we will filter available vehicles to match.
For young drivers, additional insurance may be required and special conditions may apply.
Most companies generally have a minimum rental period. Weekend rentals are possible, but the minimum rental period can range from 1 day to a full week depending on the time of year.
Enter your dates in the comparison tool to see which vehicles are available for your travel dates.
Yes, a large number of rental companies allow for one-way rentals. Our comparison tool will show you availability on your preferred route and automatically factor in any one-way fees charged by the campervan rental company.
Popular one-way routes for a motorhome holiday starting in Melbourne include: