Driving in Melbourne explained for Travellers

Driving around Melbourne is relatively easy as the streets are in a grid system so generally if you miss your turn just turn at the next street and you will get back on track. There are a few tips and tricks for drivng around the CBD including hook turns and trams. See our article on Hook turns and Trams.

Check out CityLink’s site for details of Melbourne’s T-shaped tollway which links the Westgate, Tullamarine and Monash (formerly South-Eastern) freeways. It is a fully electronic road with no manual toll gates. You can buy a day pass in advance, or within 3 days of having driven down it, giving your registration and car details. You can do this by phone, internet, or at some Shell petrol stations. The registered owner of the car will get a fine in the mail if you do not buy a pass within 3 days. The tolled sections are indicated with purple and orange signs, rather than the standard green and white. CityLink can cut a worthwhile amount of time from your journey, especially if you are driving from, say, the south-eastern suburbs to Melbourne Airport. Motorcycles are free, cars are around $11*/day. Larger vehicles are more. (*Check City Link website for most up to date price)

Driving to Melbourne

From Sydney, the quickest route is the Hume Highway, which takes about 9-10 hours (non-stop). A more popular, longer route is along the coast on the Princes Highway. This adds several hours to the journey as it is longer in distance and there are fewer bypasses.

Adelaide is slightly closer, and can be reached in 7 hours. Once again, it is possible to go inland or along the coast – the coast is very scenic, but will add a couple of hours to the journey.

Although not often travelled, a direct journey from Brisbane takes around 24 hours (non-stop) and takes you further inland through areas not commonly visited (along the Newell Highway). This makes an interesting alternative to the more common Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne coastal route.

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