Can you rent a car from Melbourne to Cairns?
Planning a trip from Melbourne to Cairns? We make it easy to pick up your car in Melbourne and drop it off up north with our flexible one-way rentals. No backtracking, no hassle. Got questions or ready to book? Chat with our friendly team by phone, email, or through our online form and we’ll help get your trip sorted in no time.
One way rental Melbourne to Cairns
Hit the road from Melbourne to Cairns your way with our flexible one-way rentals. Pick up in Melbourne, drop off in Cairns, and skip the return trip altogether. It’s a simple way to save time, cut fuel costs, and keep your plans moving forward. Booking is easy. Head to the Extras section when reserving online, select the ‘One Way Fee’, and you’re good to go. You can also choose how you want to handle fuel. Prepay, top up before return, or sort it at the end of your trip. Add handy extras like baby seats or a Toll Pass Waiver to keep things running smoothly from start to finish. With unlimited kilometres on standard passenger vehicles, you’ve got the freedom to take the scenic route and make a few stops along the way. If you’re hiring a van, truck or ute, just check in with us on 1300 668 810 to confirm any kilometre limits before you set off. Need flexibility at the end of your trip? We offer 24/7 drop-offs at most locations, with after-hours pick-up available on request.
Booking is simple. When you make your reservation online, head to the Extras section and select the One Way Fee. That is all it takes to lock it in.
Sort fuel your way with Redspot refuel options to match your plans. Pre-pay, post-pay, or refill it yourself before drop-off. You can also add handy extras like baby seats or a Toll Pass Waiver to keep things running smoothly on the road.
Unlimited km is included on standard passenger and leisure vehicles, so the road trip won’t be a problem at all. If you are hiring a van, truck, or ute, km limits may apply. Give the friendly team a call on 1300 668 810 to double-check before you set off.
Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless stated otherwise. After-hours pick-up can be arranged on request, subject to availability.
Pick up in Melbourne:
Drop off in Cairns:
Meet Our Fleet
Make your Melbourne to Cairns trip easier with our flexible one-way rentals. Pick up in Melbourne, cruise up the coast, and drop off in Cairns without doubling back. Our local team is here to help you get moving with zero fuss. Choose from a wide range of vehicles and enjoy convenient pick-up and drop-off locations at both ends of your journey. It’s road trip planning, sorted.
We’ll set you up with the extras that make your Melbourne to Cairns trip feel easy from the moment you start the engine. Travelling with kids? Add a child seat to keep everyone safe and settled for the long drive north. Planning to pass through toll roads along the way? Our Toll Pass Waiver helps you move through without the extra hassle. It’s all about keeping your trip simple, so you can focus on the drive ahead.
Small Car Hire
From economy and compacts to intermediate cars like the Toyota Corolla, you can’t go past our diverse small car fleet! These affordable, fuel-efficient rides are perfect for solo travellers and small groups.
Sedan Hire
Spot your road trip with our range of versatile sedans, featuring a rotation of your fave brands. Get rolling to Australia’s vibrant coffee capital in the reliable 5-seater car we all know and love.
Minibus and Minivan Hire
Round up your crew and hit the road with our spacious 8–12 seater minibus and minivan hire. Whether you’re on a family getaway or group adventure, we’ve got the right ride to back it.
Baby Seats & Other Accessories
We’ll have you fully loaded with Redspot’s rental car add-ons, making your travels between A & B a smooth ride from start to finish!
Travelling with little ones? Our child seat hire will keep your kids safely strapped in for the journey. Plus, our convenient Toll Road Waiver makes it easy to navigate the tolls along the way, so you can focus on the adventure ahead.
One-way Moving House Car Hire
Whether you’re after a roomy SUV or a reliable sedan, there’s space for everything you need on the trip from Melbourne to Cairns. Pick up your vehicle in Melbourne, load up your gear, and start the drive north. When you arrive in Cairns, our team will be ready to take the keys so you can get straight into settling in or switching into holiday mode.
Is it better to fly or drive from Melbourne to Cairns?
Driving or flying from Melbourne to Cairns? It all comes down to how you like to travel. Flying gets you there quicker, no doubt. But driving gives you the chance to see Australia properly. Think coastal views, small towns, and those classic roadside stops you don’t get from 30,000 feet. You’ll also skip the airport rush. No baggage queues, no waiting around, and no juggling transport once you land. Just pick up your car in Melbourne and head north on your own schedule. If you’ve got the time, the drive is where the real trip begins.
Redspot Driver Facts.
Rev-Up for Young Drivers:
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21 (mine-spec and commercial vehicles included).
Maximum Age is No Barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light for leisure, commercial and mine-spec vehicles – one of the few Aussie companies that do!
Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Overseas visitors welcome:
Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Family-friendly car hire:
Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Credit Card Condition:
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Fuel Flexibility:
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Maximum age is no barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Toll-road Tricks:
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
A Track Record of Satisfied Customers in Australia
For over 35 years, Redspot has provided smooth rides for our local and international customers with top-notch leisure and commercial vehicles. Buckle up and explore their road-worthy experiences here:
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Popular Stops From Melbourne to Cairns
Albury-Wodonga
Kick things off on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. Albury-Wodonga is a great first break to stretch your legs along the Murray River, grab a good feed, and ease into the long drive ahead.
Canberra
Take a slight detour inland to Australia’s capital. Canberra offers wide open roads, top-notch galleries, and plenty of green space. It’s an easy city to navigate and a solid overnight stop.
Port Macquarie
Back on the coast, Port Macquarie is known for its relaxed vibe and ocean views. Stop by the Koala Hospital, take a coastal walk, or just enjoy a break by the beach before continuing north.
Byron Bay
A classic road trip favourite. Byron Bay is perfect for a longer stop with its beaches, cafes, and lighthouse views. It’s a great place to recharge before the next leg of your drive.
Gold Coast
Keep the coastal energy going with a stop on the Gold Coast. Whether you’re into surf beaches or skyline views, it’s an easy place to unwind for a night or two.
Airlie Beach
As you get closer to Cairns, Airlie Beach is your gateway to the Whitsundays. Think tropical scenery, waterfront dining, and the option to jump on a reef or island tour if you’ve got the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Melbourne and leave it in Cairns?
Yes, you can! We offer one-way car hire between Melbourne and Cairns, so you can pick up in the city and drop off up north, subject to availability. Wherever you plan to finish your trip, we’ll help make it work. Just get in touch with our team by phone or email to lock in your details and get your road trip underway.
Is it more expensive to rent a car one way in Australia?
When it comes to one-way rentals, fees will vary depending on factors including the requested pick-up and drop-off locations, plus vehicle availability. The one-way fee covers the cost of relocating the vehicle back to its original location. Typically, the further you want to travel, the more one-way rentals can save you on time and fuel costs that you’d otherwise spend heading back to your journey’s starting point!
We recommend comparing your total trip costs if you choose one-way vs standard returns. With Redspot, you can check rates and vehicle availability through our online booking tool so you can determine what’s best for your plans.
How many kilometres can I drive in a day in a Redspot car hire?
For maximum freedom, there are no km limits for our standard car rentals including compact, sedans, hybrids, and SUVs.
However, as Australia is such a big and beautiful country (bigger than Europe in land mass!), there are some instances where we have to impose a km limit to help maintain our vehicles:
- If you need a van, truck, or ute for a business car hire
- If you head to remote locations, such as Alice Springs or Darwin
For more info, please contact our friendly team at 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find the best fit for your plans.
Is it worth it to drive from Melbourne to Cairns?
It really comes down to how you want to travel. If you’re short on time, flying from Melbourne to Cairns is the quicker option. But if you’ve got a few days to spare, driving lets you see a whole different side of Australia. For a more scenic trip, we recommend following the coast. Start from Melbourne and make your way through places like Lakes Entrance, Eden, and Port Macquarie, then continue up through Byron Bay and the Gold Coast before heading further north. It’s a longer journey, but the mix of beaches, small towns, and ocean views makes the drive one to remember.
What is the oldest age to drive a rental car?
At Redspot, there’s no maximum age limit! We say that age is just a number. Whether you’re a retiree, hold a seniors card, or you’re just young at heart, we welcome anyone over 21 to rent with us and keep their adventures rolling.
What is the minimum age to rent a car with Redspot?
For most Aussie car rental companies, the minimum age is 25. However, with Redspot, we don’t think age should keep you from getting the job done! Drivers from 21 years old are welcome to rent with us, including commercial and mine-spec vehicles.
Check out our Young Drivers guide for all the details to get you rolling. (Note: Vehicle size restrictions for Young Drivers do not apply to mine-spec and commercial vehicles. Speak with your employer to confirm details.)
What are the road conditions between Melbourne and Cairns?
Road conditions from Melbourne to Cairns are generally well-maintained, especially along major highways like the Pacific Highway and Bruce Highway. It’s a long drive, but an easy one to follow with clear routes the whole way. That said, conditions can change depending on weather, roadworks, or local incidents. We recommend checking the latest updates before and during your trip via official government sites like: https://www.livetraffic.com/ (NSW) https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ (QLD) If you’re heading through regional or tropical areas, keep an eye on weather alerts and stick to sealed roads at all times in your rental. It’s the best way to keep your trip running smoothly from start to finish.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Melbourne to Cairns car rental.