Car rental Great Ocean Road: All You Need To Know (EV or Petrol)

Thinking of renting a car for the iconic Great Ocean Road? This stunning stretch of Australian coastline is best explored with the freedom a rental car provides.

Whether you’re considering an Electric Vehicle (EV) or a traditional petrol car, this guide covers everything you need to know, including where to charge or find petrol stations, the best driving directions, free parking spots, and crucial tips to avoid common scams and headaches.

Navigating a new region, especially with its unique driving rules and rental processes, can be a bit daunting. This guide offers essential tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable driving adventure along one of Australia’s most beautiful routes.

Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Australia

To rent a car for your Great Ocean Road adventure, you’ll need a few essential documents. Make sure you have these sorted before you hit the road:

• Passport: A valid passport is always required unless you have an Australian Driving License, which is enough
• Driving Licence: If your driving licence is written in Latin letters, you’re usually good to go.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): If your driving licence is in a non-Latin language (e.g., Chinese, Arabic), you’ll need an IDP. You can obtain this in your home country at an automobile association, and it typically costs around $20-$30 USD.

If you are far from an automobile association, you can also apply online through the International Drivers Association, and you will receive the IDP at home in no time.

Important Reminder: Always carry your passport, driving licence, and IDP (if required) with you while driving. If police stop you, they will want to see all of them.

Where to Rent Your Car for the Great Ocean Road

You have three main options for picking up your rental car, each with its own advantages:

1. Melbourne Airport (MEL): This is often the cheapest option, where you’ll find the best prices. You can drive directly from the airport to the Great Ocean Road.
   • My Tip: Try to avoid picking up your car during early morning commuting hours to dodge heavy traffic.
2. Melbourne CBD (City Centre): If you’re already staying in Melbourne, you can rent a car from the city centre.
   • My Tip: Similar to the airport, avoid early morning or late afternoon pick-ups during typical commuting times.
3. Avalon Airport (AVV): This is Melbourne’s second airport, especially convenient if you’re flying from Sydney. While there are fewer flights, tickets are usually cheaper, and you’re closer to the Great Ocean Road and Geelong, potentially saving you 1 to 1.5 hours of driving.
   • The Drawback: Car rentals at Avalon tend to be a bit more expensive than at Melbourne Airport or the CBD.

For the last 7 years, I have been using a comparative website called DiscoverCars that not only compares the best prices but also ranks every single car provider from five to ten stars, based on real customer feedback.

I always filter for providers with 8-star ratings or above to ensure I’m dealing with trusted companies, like I would do with Airbnb bookings and highly rated hosts. I then book the best price from the shortlist, as easy as that!

How Long Should You Plan Your Great Ocean Road Trip?

To truly experience the Great Ocean Road, I suggest planning for at least a couple of nights. This gives you ample time to drive, stop at beaches for a swim or surf, enjoy walks in the Great Otway National Park to see waterfalls, and explore famous sights like the 12 Apostles, London Bridge, and Loch Ard Gorge. Trying to do it all in just one day or one night can be a bit rushed.

Consider booking your stay in one of the charming villages along the coast:

• Apollo Bay: My personal favourite.
• Port Campbell: Works perfectly if you want to spend sunset at the 12 Apostles.
• Lorne: A very popular town, especially with Melburnians, but it’s about 2.5 hours drive from the 12 Apostles.
• Torquay or Anglesea: While options, they are quite far from the “best part” of the Great Ocean Road.

Best Driving Direction for the Great Ocean Road

The ultimate destination is often the 12 Apostles. You can reach it via the coastal road or a more straightforward inland route from Geelong and Melbourne.

My Biggest Tip: I highly recommend taking the coastal road on your way to the 12 Apostles from Melbourne. This way, the ocean will be on your left, allowing you to stop at any viewpoint or parking area without needing to cross the road, which can be quite dangerous.

On your way back, for instance, from Port Campbell, you can take the direct inland route, which will save you 1 to 1.5 hours compared to the coastal road.

EV or Petrol Car: Which is Better for the Great Ocean Road?

Honestly, there isn’t a huge difference between renting a traditional petrol car or an EV for the Great Ocean Road. Both petrol and charging stations are available in the same towns along the route.

Here’s a quick comparison:

While charging takes longer, you can use that time for a coffee or a stroll. You might save a little on fuel costs with an EV, but don’t expect massive savings.

If a car company offers you a free upgrade to an upper-level EV, I’d definitely suggest going for it.

Petrol & EV Charging Stations Along the Great Ocean Road

Petrol and EV charging stations are conveniently located in the main towns along the Great Ocean Road, such as Apollo Bay, Lorne, and Port Campbell. The distances between these towns are usually manageable, ranging from 20 to 40 km, so you don’t need extensive pre-planning.

• Petrol Cost: Be aware that petrol along the Great Ocean Road can be a bit pricier than in cities like Melbourne or Geelong.
  • My Tip: A good idea is to fill up your petrol tank before you start your trip.
• EV Charging: In Apollo Bay, for example, there are four charging locations, including fast chargers (around 50 kilowatt per hour).
  • Charging Costs: The cost of charging an EV can vary depending on the time of day and season. For instance, it might be 50 cents per kilowatt in the morning but 66 cents later in the day. Expect to pay more around Christmas and less during the week when demand is lower.
  • Charging Apps: For Tesla chargers, the Tesla app works perfectly. Otherwise, you can usually scan a QR code at the station to download the necessary app on the go, making it quite easy.

Car Rental Insurance: What You Need to Know

Every car rental in Australia comes with mandatory Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance. More often than not, it also includes a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which limits your out-of-pocket expenses to between $3000 and $7,000. Roadside assistance may or may not be included, but I highly recommend having it.

My Biggest Tip: I typically suggest opting for full insurance, including roadside assistance. On my suggested comparative website, DiscoverCars, it costs as little as $15 AUD (roughly $8 USD) per day.

This is a great bargain for peace of mind, as even a small scratch or bump could cost you up to $1,000 AUD at the end of your trip, which isn’t how you want to finish your holiday.

Parking Along the Great Ocean Road

Parking in the villages along the Great Ocean Road is generally easy-going. However, it’s important to check the signs for time limits. For example, a “2P parking” sign between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM means you can only park for a maximum of 2 hours during that period.

• Time Limits: If you need more time, simply move your car to a different spot. There are regular checks, so don’t risk a fine, as they can be quite pricey.
• Varying Rules: Parking rules can even differ based on which side of the street you park on; for instance, 2 hours near the beach, but only 1 hour next to a shopping area.
• My Tip for Longer Stays: If you want to park for 3-4 hours to enjoy the beach without worrying, park one or two streets up from the main areas. These spots usually offer unlimited parking, but always check the signs to be sure.

Driving Etiquette & Safety Tips

Driving along the Great Ocean Road is a stunning experience, but pay attention to the following.

• Drive on the Left: This is the most important rule in Australia. If you’re not used to driving on the left, try to follow other cars for the first part of the Great Ocean Road. This is the easiest way to avoid confusion and accidentally drifting to the right side of the road. You’ll typically find signs at every viewpoint reminding you.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be very careful of kangaroos and koalas, especially around sunset. They can suddenly come out from the bush.
• Avoid Night Driving: It’s highly recommended to avoid driving between sunset and sunrise. This is when wild animals are most active. You can drive within villages or towns at night, but that’s generally it.
  • My Tip: This rule applies to most of Australia: leave the night for restaurants and sleeping, and drive during the day.

Traffic & Best Times to Visit the Great Ocean Road

Traffic along the Great Ocean Road is generally easy-going, unless you visit during peak summer periods.

• Avoid Peak Times: The absolute busiest times are around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when everything gets booked out. Sunny, warmer weekends in January can also be very busy, as it’s school holiday time, as is Easter.
• My Tip: Avoid these peak periods for a much more amazing experience with fewer people around. Driving during the week instead of on weekends will also significantly reduce traffic.

Must-See Destinations: The Twelve Apostles and more

The 12 Apostles is probably the most famous and notable spot on the Great Ocean Road. Don’t expect to be alone, as it can get very busy, especially around sunset, which is usually the most crowded time of day.

Besides the 12 Apostles, there are plenty of other spots that you can easily access along the road. In the video below, I show you my fabulous hidden corners I have been discovering in the last 20 years of visits

• EV Charging Near 12 Apostles: Be aware that there is no charging station directly in the 12 Apostles parking area. However, if you drive just 10-15 minutes down to Port Campbell, you’ll find a supercharger (from Tesla), which is very handy. Port Campbell also has a fantastic, calmer beach, perfect if you’re travelling with kids.
• Car vs. Organised Tour: Renting a car is absolutely the best idea to explore the Great Ocean Road. While you can take a bus or an organised trip, you won’t experience as much. With a car, you can stop at any viewpoint you like, visit places like the Angles Golf Centre to see kangaroos, or head to the Great Otway National Park to spot koalas. Organised trips are quite limiting.

Two Scams to Avoid When Renting a Car for the Great Ocean Road

Here are two common scams you definitely want to steer clear of:

1. Charging for Pre-Existing Damages: This is probably the biggest, though relatively rare, scam. Some car providers might try to charge you for scratches or bumps that were already on the car when you picked it up.
   • My Biggest Tip: Take as many photos as possible of both the interior and exterior of the car when you pick it up. This provides full documentation you can use as proof when you drop off the car that any damage wasn’t caused by you. This is less of an issue with full insurance, but photos still help you avoid paperwork when returning the vehicle.
2. Limited Mileage Traps: This is a bit of a scam, in my opinion, when rental companies offer cars with limited mileage (e.g., 100-150 km). They know you’re likely driving the Great Ocean Road, which is around 600 km by itself. You’ll end up with excess mileage and have to pay extra (around 20 cents per kilometre over the limit). This is absolutely unfair.
   • My Tip: Always rent a car from a provider that offers unlimited mileage, especially if you plan to visit national parks around the Great Ocean Road.