Car Rental Avalon Airport

With Victoria’s bustling capital on one side and its spectacular surf coast on the other, Avalon Airport is ideally situated with easy access to the state’s most talked-about vacation hot spots. 

If urban adventure is what you seek, hit the streets of Melbourne’s CBD and surrounds. Solidifying its name as Australia’s vibrant multicultural hub, Melbourne spoils its visitors with a plenitude of dining and shopping outlets, entertainment, and arguably the world’s best coffee scene. 

For those seeking a quiet escape, pick yourself up a hire car and take off down the M1 towards Geelong, a waterfront metropolis flush with activities the whole family can appreciate. To its southeast, uncover quaint seaside towns such as Ocean Grove, Portarlington, and Barwon Heads, where holidaymakers and professional surfers alike gather to enjoy some of the world’s best coastline. Additionally, parents with children will love the abundance of family-friendly attractions Geelong has to offer, including enclosed beaches, interactive museums, and open-air play areas. 

Whatever it is you’re seeking, Geelong and the beautiful Bellarine is sure to impress.

Explore the best that Geelong has to offer in a hire car

As Victoria’s second-largest city and gateway to the famous surf coast, Geelong offers ample attractions well suited to any traveller profile. 

On arrival, park your hire car at the city’s Waterfront esplanade and take off on foot to leisurely explore the city’s oceanside eateries and cafes, perfectly manicured gardens, and panoramic ocean views. After a quick bite to eat and a takeaway coffee in hand, venture further down the path towards Eastern Beach Reserve. 

Constructed in the 1930s in captivating art-deco style, Eastern Beach Reserve offers its visitors a charming retreat in which to relax and unwind. In the warmer months, visitors are encouraged to meander up the palm-lined staircase to capture elevated views of the glistening Corio Bay. Kids are welcome to splash around in the waterfront pool or in the shallows of Eastern Beach swimming enclosure. 

Adding to its repertoire of family-friendly attractions, Geelong’s Museum of Play and Art (MoPA) is a must for those with small children. Stocked to the brim with interactive exhibits, MoPA offers a joyous space in which to play and learn - and it won’t break the bank, either. 

Finally, a stay in Geelong wouldn’t be complete without a basket of fish and chips at Geelong Boat House. This award-winning eatery is situated over the water on a floating barge, delivering an unmatched casual dining experience. 

Explore the beautiful Bellarine with the convenience of car hire 

Voted Lonely Planet’s top 10 Value Destinations of 2017, the Bellarine Peninsula delivers a quintessentially Aussie experience. Striking sea views are enjoyed from almost any major attraction, from the historic township of Queenscliff, surf breaks of Ocean Grove, and the stunning cliff path of Point Lonsdale. A hire car is recommended to make the most of the Bellarine, with each township situated roughly 10 kilometres from its centrality. 

Grand Victorian heritage meets a sleepy seaside feel in the historic township of Queenscliff. Here, a blend of quaint cottages, lush vineyards and chic cafes are often enjoyed in equal measure by city day-venturers and lively locals. 

Queenscliff’s charming sister town, Point Londsdale, is a mere 6-minute drive down the road in a hire car and is a no-brainer for visitors traversing the Bellarine Peninsula. Stroll along the pier or stop to catch a glimpse of the ‘rip’, one of the world’s most dangerous strips of water. 

If a day is all you can spare for a trip to the Bellarine Peninsula, we encourage you to put Ocean Grove at the top of your to-experience list. Situated just 30 minutes from Geelong, or 43 minutes by hire car from Avalon Airport, Ocean Grove boasts some of the world’s best surfing conditions. Sign up for a lesson or hit the waves unaided to stand amongst some of the world’s best surfers. 

Finally, make sure you find time in your itinerary to tour the Bellarine Taste Trail, where wineries and breweries offering breathtaking views of the bay are found amongst verdant green pastures. Stop for lunch on the deck under the sun or pick up a signature bottle to share with friends and family back home.