A Thrifty Guide to Spending a Week in Victoria

From the ocean to the bush to the city, Victoria is brimming with all kinds of cheap-as-chips adventures. Follow this guide to experience the best of the state in a week as you journey around in your Thrifty rental car.

Start Your Engines in Melbourne City 

Once you’ve collected your vehicle from Melbourne airport, it’s time to get about exploring all that the city has to offer. If you’ve only got a week to spend in Victoria, three days is a perfect amount of time to explore the highlights of Melbourne - although you could no doubt spend three years there before you see it all! For sensational art in one of the country’s best galleries, make sure to pop past the National Gallery of Victoria. You’ll see art from some of the world’s most famous artists, all housed in a building of epic proportions. The Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne - just a hop, skip and a jump from the NGV - is another hidden gem in the city. Rock your way through Melbourne’s music history and watch rare footage of some of the city’s most memorable musos. Now it’s time to up the ante! Journey to St Kilda, a coastal suburb in the south of the city, and cruise along the shoreline. No matter the weather, brave swimmers can always be spotted in the water, so make sure to bring your bathers. Top it all off with a stroll through the CBD at sundown. Degraves Street is a popular destination to see some of the iconic cafes and vibrant nightlife unrolling as the sun begins to set. Make sure to keep an eye out for some of the famous street art tucked into the city corners - you might even spot a Banksy! 

Adventure Along the Great Ocean Road 

The beauty of Victoria is that the ocean is never too far from the city. Experience the best the state has to offer with a journey along the iconic Great Ocean Road over two days. This 243 kilometre stretch of scenic coastal road offers not just a convenient gateway to the slew of seaside villages nestled into the coast, but it’s also an attraction in itself. Wind the windows down and let the sea breeze sweep you along the coastline. The first town you’ll come across is the beautiful Torquay, a beachside haven full of surf beaches just a little under two hours from Melbourne. Make sure to check out Bells Beach for its world-famous surf breaks. Journey further along the Great Ocean Road for another two hours and you’ll find yourself in the sleepy town of Apollo Bay. If you’re still hungry for a surf, hit the epic waves at Apollo Bay Beach. For adventurers looking to explore the lush rainforests at the edge of the town, make sure to venture into the Great Otway National Park. There you’ll find a network of incredible walking tracks to help you get the heart rate up, as well as a natural wonderland perfect for mountain biking. Head further along the coast to Princetown, a home of dramatic scenery and epic landscapes, as well as the famous 12 Apostles. This ancient rock formation is sure to stun with its gigantic slabs of earth rising from the ocean and toward the sky.

Climb to Great Heights in Warrnambool 

With two days left of your Thrifty week in Victoria, there’s no better way to wrap it all up than in the coastal town of Warrnambool. You can find this seaside paradise right at the end of the Great Ocean Road, only an hour’s drive from the 12 Apostles in Princetown. While there are plenty of ways to chase the adrenaline in the waves of the ocean that border Warrnambool’s coastline - like at the splendid Shelly Beach - there’s also plenty of exciting activities to do on dry land. If you’re visiting between June and September, make sure to park your car on Logans Beach and look out for the majestic Southern Right whales cruising through the waves. Or, if stunning views and sensational natural history is more your speed, head on over to Tower Hill about ten minutes from the centre of Warrnambool and discover the epic beauty of an ancient dormant volcano. Bring your hiking shoes for this adventure - the best views are seen from right at the top of the rim. You’ll also be right near the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve where you can spot some of Australia’s most iconic creatures, like emus, kangaroos and koalas. Finish up your epic week across Victoria by dropping off your rental car in Warrnambool. 

In just seven days, you can experience some of the most exciting corners of Victoria without having to break the bank. This guide is the perfect road trip companion for a week across the state in your Thrifty rental car.