Best Things to Do in Victoria with a Hire Car

Victoria might be Australia's smallest mainland state, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to things to see and do. With a hire car and a tank of fuel, you can reach world-class coastline, ancient rainforests, alpine peaks, award-winning wineries, and charming country towns, all within a few hours of Melbourne. Here are the best trips to take with your Savvy hire car.

The Great Ocean Road is the obvious starting point and for good reason. This 243-kilometre stretch of coastal road between Torquay and Allansford is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Stop at Bells Beach for the surf, walk through the rainforest at Maits Rest, witness the Twelve Apostles at sunset, and grab fish and chips in Apollo Bay. Most tour buses rush through in a single day, but with your own car you can take two or three days and actually enjoy it. Continue past the Apostles to the Bay of Islands and Port Fairy for fewer crowds and equally stunning scenery.

For wine lovers, the Yarra Valley is less than an hour from Melbourne's CBD and home to over 80 cellar doors. Drive through rolling green hills, stop at Healesville Sanctuary to see native wildlife, and finish the day with a long lunch at one of the valley's acclaimed restaurants. The Mornington Peninsula is another excellent day trip, combine the hot springs, coastal walks along the Millionaire's Walk in Portsea, and a visit to the famous bathing boxes at Brighton Beach on your way back.

If you're visiting between June and September, head to the Victorian Alps for snow season. Mount Buller and Falls Creek are both accessible by car (snow chains required and available for hire). In warmer months, the same mountains offer incredible hiking, mountain biking, and wildflower walks. Phillip Island's penguin parade is a year-round highlight, drive down in the afternoon, watch the sunset, then see hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore at dusk. Wilson's Promontory, the southernmost point of mainland Australia, offers pristine beaches and multi-day hikes that rival anything in Tasmania.