One-way Car Hire in Australia- Plan the Best Road Trips
Did you know one of the world’s most popular road trips takes place in Australia? Known to be incredibly popular among locals and tourists alike, The Great Ocean Road is easily one of the most exquisite and scenic drives you can enjoy while in Australia. From majestic views and lush greenery to hiking opportunities and incredible wildlife, this route boasts an array of things perfect to add a hint of adventure and thrill to the journey. But Australia is not just limited to this one drive, there are many more that are worth your time which is why we took it upon ourselves to introduce you to some of Australia’s most sought-after road trips.
While some road trips are only a few hours’ drive, there are a couple of them that can last days and are best enjoyed with a few stopovers on the way. In cases like these, it’s best to take the journey slow and not be in a rush to cover the distance. And the best way for tourists to experience this is by renting a car. A car rental is the ultimate way to get around and plan some of the most wonderful one-way road trips in Australia.
Benefits of Booking a One-way Car Hire in Australia
While there’s no dearth of public transportation in Australia, having your own private vehicle will grant you more freedom to plan the journey the way you want. This is where a car hire comes into the picture. Renting a car is the closest you can get to owning a vehicle in a foreign land as a tourist. With a car rental at your disposal, you won’t have to worry about planning your itinerary based on the availability and timings of buses or the expenses of booking a taxi. Once you have received the hired vehicle, you will be in command of your trip.
The benefits of hiring a vehicle don’t end here and while the list can go on and on, let’s highlight one of the most amazing parts of it, which is having an option to return the rented car to any location of your choice within Australia, as long as your chosen supplier has an office in the area. This type of deal is considered a one-way rental and the company charges a nominal fee for the same.
If you’re also considering booking a one-way rental for a road trip in Australia, use this blog as a guide to renting a car in the country.
Car Rental Companies Offering One-way Deals in Australia
Australia has a dense web of suppliers with their offices distributed at multiple spots in every major city. This makes it easier and more convenient for a renter to drop off the rented vehicle at a different spot than the one they picked it up from.
The availability of an array of local and international industry players also means a wide variety of one-way car rental deals. To simplify the process, Australia Rent Car brings all the top suppliers under one roof with a list featuring brands like Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Ace, East Coast, Alamo, etc., and displays their best deals at highly competitive prices.
Requirements to Book a One-way Car Rental in Australia
The car rental requirements can vary for each supplier and the best way to determine whether you meet the suppliers’ eligibility criteria is by checking out their Rental Terms. However, as far as most car rental companies are concerned, their requirements are almost similar with variations in rental prices and fees.
Age Requirement
A majority of car hire suppliers in Australia require the renter to be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle, with the exception of a few companies offering their rental services to drivers 18 years old or above.
Also, renters under 25 may need to pay an additional Young Driver Surcharge if specified in the Rental Confirmation Voucher or Rental Terms.
Documentation Requirement
To ensure a successful car rental pick-up, it’s vital to produce all the essential documents mentioned in your Rental Confirmation Voucher, including a full & valid driver’s license, a valid ID proof or passport, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) accompanied by your domestic driver’s license in case the DL isn’t printed in the Roman language.
Payment Method at the Rental Desk:
Rental Car Payment: Based on your convenience, you can choose between prepaid and postpaid payments. However, if you are choosing to pay the rental amount at the desk, most companies require a credit card to collect the payment, and in a few cases only would you be eligible to make the payment using a debit card, which largely depends on the supplier. Therefore, it is advised to go through the supplier’s Rental Terms for clear instructions.
Security Deposit: It is mandatory to make a security deposit payment at the rental desk when collecting the vehicle. A majority of companies require a credit card in the main renter’s name to hold a certain security deposit amount and it gets released once the vehicle is returned. The security amount can differ for each supplier and it gets devised based on several factors, such as car category and duration.
Car Hire Category to Book for Your One-way Trip in Australia
Mini/Economy/Compact
Standard/Intermediate/Full-size
Van/Minivan
SUV
Luxury/Premium
Top Car Rental Locations in Australia
Suppliers with a presence in Australia have their branches in multiple locations throughout the country. To provide easy accessibility and convenience to customers, they offer their rental services at almost every prominent point, including city centers and airports. While the choice of location for pick-up and drop-off completely depends on the renter, there are a bunch of places in the country that are favored by most customers.
Popular One-way Road Trips to Plan in Australia Car Rental
From awe-inspiring countryside to urban cities, Australia boasts a dynamic landscape that alters every few miles, with each scenery offering something unique and mesmerizing. No matter which corner of Australia you’re sitting in, you can easily plan some of the best road trips from one region to another in the comfort of your rental car.
We’ve put together a list of the best drives with Australia’s most popular cities serving as the beginning and ending points of these trips.
One-way Car Rental Melbourne to Adelaide
Distance
736 km
Route
National Highway A8
From boasting enchanting beachside towns and historical sites to scrumptious meals & wine and diverse wildlife, the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide is nothing short of an eventful journey. Technically an 8-hour long trip, this journey need not be rushed especially if you’ve plenty of time on hand. Create an itinerary based on your preference and schedule and add destinations you would like to stop by on your way to the city with great outdoor adventure.
Best Highlights: Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach, Twelve Apostles, Port Fairy, Victor Harbor
One-way Car Rental Melbourne to Sydney
Distance
877 km
Route
National Highway M31 and Hume Hwy/M31
Up for a serene and picturesque drive featuring a host of idyllic beaches and incredible national parks? A Melbourne to Sydney road trip will offer all of this and even more to you, making this expedition anything but boring. You should at least take a week to cover the distance between Australia’s two major cities, considering there’s so much to see and do on the way.
Best Highlights: Phillip Island, Walhalla, Gippsland Lakes, Wilsons Promontory, Eden
One-way Car Rental Perth to Broome
Distance
2,044 km
Route
National Highway 95
A Perth to Broome road trip is undeniably one of the best drives you can plan in Australia. Be ready to be blown away by the most awe-inspiring views and breathtaking landscapes this journey is going to expose you to. Given the long distance and a host of destinations this trip is going to cover, you need a minimum of 10 days to enjoy and make the best out of this excursion.
Best Highlights: Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park), Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Eighty Mile Beach
One-way Car Rental Sydney to Brisbane
Distance
917 km
Route
Pacific Hwy/A1 and M1
One of the best ways to admire the breathtaking beauty and majestic views of Australia’s east coast is to take a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane. Brimming with coastal sceneries, the path between the two cities is dotted with an array of captivating things ranging from spectacular beaches and surf towns to national parks featuring abundant wildlife and nature at its best.
Best Highlights: Hawkesbury River, Nobbys Lighthouse, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Big Banana (Coffs Harbour)
One-way Car Rental Sydney to Gold Coast
Distance
845 km
Route
Pacific Hwy/A1 and M1
While the shortest route from Sydney will take you approximately 9 hours to reach Gold Coast (excluding stopovers), the best way to make the most out of this road trip is by taking the journey slow and making stops at some of Australia’s best attractions. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, nature lover, or both, this road trip will offer you the best of both worlds in the form of turquoise beaches, dense foliage, exquisite shoreside towns, and outdoor activities.
Best Highlights: Palm Beach, Terrigal Beach, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Snapper Rocks
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a one-way car rental cost in Australia?
The prices of one-way car rentals tend to vary from supplier to supplier. Other factors like the vehicle category, duration, and location also play a vital role in influencing the final rental cost. To get an estimate regarding the prices, use Australia Rent Car’s responsive booking engine. Its efficient search engine gathers all the top deals based on the trip details you provide and displays them at discounted prices.
How to book a cheap one-way car hire in Australia?
With Australia Rent Car, you’re guaranteed to find the cheapest one-way rental deals for the locations of your choice. Head to its booking engine and fill in the search form, including the pick-up & drop-off locations, rental duration, and age. Click on ‘Search Car’, allowing the system to compile the available deals and display them to you at the lowest possible prices. After comparing the options, choose a rental that best fits your budget requirements.
Can I book a luxury one-way car rental in Australia?
Yes, you can reserve a luxury one-way car rental for a road trip in Australia. Australia Rent Car in association with popular suppliers like Alamo, Hertz, Sixt, etc., offers a wide range of low-priced luxury cars for one-way trips like Melbourne to Sydney, Perth to Broome, Melbourne to Adelaide, Sydney to Brisbane, etc.
Can I reserve a long-term car rental for a one-way road trip in Australia?
Yes, you can book a one-way car rental for any duration of your choice in Australia. Australia Rent Car has a wide network of rental companies, enabling them to provide the best long-term deals at budget-friendly prices.
