Visit Victoria with Toyota Car Rental

Coastlines, country towns, national parks, and renowned food and wine regions are all within reach.

And what better way to explore the state than with a road trip? Road trips in Victoria can be as simple as a day or weekend out of the city, while a longer trip gives you the chance to explore more of the state at your own pace. Having access to a car also gives you the freedom to build your trip around places you want to visit, make stops along the way and venture further.

With so many fantastic places to see, the hardest part might just be choosing where to go first.

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Where to go on a road trip in Victoria

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Looking for Victoria road trip ideas? Slip out of the city for a day trip, or set off on a week-long adventure. From coast to country, Victoria is full of beautiful destinations worth exploring. Here are our top picks for your next trip.

Mornington Peninsula and the south-east

Want to escape to the coast? The Mornington Peninsula is a popular choice for day trips from Melbourne by car. It offers the right blend of beachside towns, wineries, restaurants, and other attractions along the way. Visit for the day, or turn your trip into a weekend away, with destinations like Mornington, Red Hill, Sorrento and Portsea to explore.

Where to visit

• Unwind at the hot springs: Soak in the geothermal mineral pools surrounded by calming natural landscapes.
• Cape Schanck Lighthouse: Explore walking trails around the historic lighthouse.
• Point Nepean National Park: Take in the coastal views, roam walking trails and historic military sites in the national park.  
• One of the many wineries: Enjoy lunch and a glass at one of the region's many wineries.
• Mills Beach: Spend a day at this beach known for its colourful bathing boxes.

Planning a trip through Melbourne’s south-east? Find KINTO car hire in Mornington, with additional locations available in Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham.

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Gippsland

Roll into regional Victoria and through to Gippsland. With its stretches of rainforest, scenic drives and rolling hills, Gippsland has a variety of landscapes worth visiting. As you continue through the region, you’ll find historic towns, national parks and coastline that reaches right to the state’s eastern edge.

Where to visit:

• Tarra-Bulga National Park: Wander beneath giant mountain ash trees and through fern gullies in this cool-climate rainforest.
• Agnes Falls: Within the Strzelecki Ranges lies Agnes Falls, a cascading waterfall and beautiful spot for a picnic.
• Walhalla: Once a gold-mining town, Walhalla is now a sleepy town full of old heritage buildings. Visit a gold mine, try panning for gold or explore the surrounding area.  
• Ninety Mile Beach: Take a walk on this golden stretch of sand, swim in the ocean, fish or surf.

For those starting their road trip in Gippsland, KINTO car hire is available in Warragul and Traralgon.

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Bendigo and central Victoria

Bendigo and central Victoria are a melting pot of gold rush history, art, and a thriving food scene, making the region ideal for a road trip. Bendigo’s heritage buildings and museum tell the city’s story, while its galleries, cafes, and restaurants show a different side of this regional city.

Where to visit:

• Central Deborah Gold Mine: Descend 61m underground into a real gold mine and learn about the mining history that shaped Bendigo.
• Bendigo Art Gallery: See the newest exhibitions at the Bendigo Art Gallery located in the heart of the city.
• Bendigo Botanic Gardens: Spend time admiring the blooms and rare botanical species within the gardens.
• Daylesford: Visit the charming town of Daylesford, known for its mineral springs, food scene, galleries and countryside.
• Hepburn Springs: Slow things down in this neighbouring town to Daylesford, popular for its natural mineral springs, bathhouse and spa.

For your Central Victoria road trip, KINTO offers car hire in Bendigo, Kilmore and Kyabram.

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Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Road

There are few road trips as iconic as the Great Ocean Road. Wind round the rugged coastline, passing through seaside towns, national parks and roadside beaches. This road trip offers plenty of reasons and opportunities to stop along the way. Drive on through the Shipwreck Coast and Warrnambool for even more of Victoria to explore.

Where to visit:

• Twelve Apostles: See the towering limestone stacks that rise out of the water, one of Victoria’s most recognisable coastal sights.
• Loch Ard Gorge: A dramatic gorge, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and a small beach. It's named for the Loch Ard, which struck Mutton Bird Island.
• Great Otway National Park: Spend time in nature in this rainforest national park, wander the trails, hike to Erskine Falls and birdwatch.
• Lorne: A popular seaside town, Lorne is known for its beaches and relaxed coastal feel.
• Hot springs: Unwind in the mineral-rich pools
• Whale watching: Between June and September each year, you can spot whales returning to the waters surrounding Warrnambool. Stop by Logan’s Beach Whale Watching Platform and try to spot them.

For those looking for Great Ocean Road car hire, KINTO car hire in Warrnambool can be used as the starting point for a return road trip along the coast.

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Swan Hill and the Murray River

If you’re looking for weekend getaways from Melbourne, set your sights on Swan Hill, where riverfront scenery meets local produce and native wildlife. Set along the Murray River, this town in north-west Victoria offers a change of pace, with ways to enjoy the river, learn about the region’s history and take in the surrounding landscapes.

Where to visit:

• Pioneer Settlement: Visit this open-air museum to experience the town's history by day and, by night, see the magnificent light show.
• Murray River: Enjoy the riverfront with the Swan Hill River Walk or take to the water on the historical paddle steamer at the Pioneer Settlement.
• Lake Boga: Spend time by the lake swimming, fishing, walking, kayaking and boating or simply enjoying the surroundings
• Art Gallery of Swan Hill: Visit the newest exhibition at the Art Gallery of Swan Hill.  
• Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum: Learn about the town’s role as a secret flying boat base established during World War II.

Exploring Swan Hill and beyond? You can find KINTO car hire in Swan Hill for your next road trip through the Murray region.

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Mildura and north-west Victoria

Near the northernmost point of Victoria, you’ll find Mildura, a regional city known for its warm climate and Murray River scenery. Surrounded by citrus orchards and vineyards, Mildura offers a unique side of Victoria with landscapes on the edge of the outback.

Where to visit:

• Orange World: Visit a working citrus farm just north of Mildura. Take a tour through the orchards, taste the produce and learn about the fruit.
• Etiwanda Wetlands: Walk around the wetlands area, spotting birds and wildlife.

Explore more of north-west Victoria with KINTO car hire in Mildura.

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Choosing a Toyota for your Victoria road trip

Having the right vehicle for your road trip can make all the difference, especially if you’re travelling with family, friends, or extra luggage. With KINTO, you can choose from a range of modern Toyota vehicles to suit your travel plans. The KINTO fleet includes everything from compact cars for shorter trips to spacious SUVs for longer journeys with more baggage.

Before booking, think about how many people are travelling, how much luggage you’re bringing and the journey length. If you’re looking for a Toyota car rental in Victoria, KINTO lets you find and book available vehicles straight from your smartphone.

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Planning your road trip with KINTO

Start planning your Victorian road trip with KINTO. Members can find, book and access a Toyota directly through the KINTO app. Book a vehicle for as little as an hour, a day, a week or longer^[1] to suit your travel plans.

Keep in mind that KINTO is a back-to-base service and vehicles will need to be returned to the same location you collected them from at the end of your booking.

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Where will your next road trip take you?

Victoria may be a small state, but it packs a punch when it comes to road trip destinations. From coastal drives to historic country towns, national parks and regional food experiences, Victoria has something to offer every kind of road trip.

With KINTO, you have the freedom to explore Victoria at your own pace, whether it's a day trip to Daylesford, a weekend getaway along the Great Ocean Road, or a week-long adventure through central and north Victoria.  

Ready to start planning your next road trip in Victoria? Explore KINTO car hire locations across Victoria and find a Toyota to suit your journey.

What are the must-see attractions in Victoria, Australia for a first-time visitor?

For first-time visitors, the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles are some of Victoria’s most recognisable attractions. Other popular destinations include Melbourne, Phillip Island for its famous Penguin Parade, the Yarra Valley for food and wine, and the Mornington Peninsula for the beaches and coastal scenery.

Which time of year is best to visit Victoria to see its beautiful places in bloom?

Spring is generally the best time to see Victoria in bloom. From September to November, gardens, parks and regional landscapes flourish with flowers and fresh greenery. One popular place to see seasonal flowers is the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Melbourne.

What are the best places to visit in Victoria in spring?

Spring is a lovely time to explore the natural landscapes like the Dandenong Ranges and the Grampians. Regions like the Mornington Peninsula also offer beautiful coastal scenery, pick-your-own fruit farms and wineries. Spring is also a good time to visit Victoria’s national parks before the heat of the summer.  

Can you suggest family-friendly activities and hidden gems in Victoria?

Victoria has many family-friendly attractions, from walking trails to the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, Pioneer Settlement in Swan Hill and Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. For something a little different, families can also explore the historic town of Walhalla or visit the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.