Can you rent a car from Melbourne to Townsville Airport?
Yes, 100%! Need to pick up your car rental in Melbourne and return it at Townsville Airport? We’ve got your back, your boot and your big Queensland road trip covered with our one-way rentals. Reach out to our friendly team by phone, email or online contact form to get your plans rolling.
One way rental Melbourne to Townsville Airport
Drive Australia your way with our one-way rentals, giving you the option to pick up your ride in Melbourne and return it at Townsville Airport. It’s a handy way to save time, skip the round trip and keep your plans moving north. Simply go to the Extras section on your online booking form, check the ‘One Way Fee’ box, and you’re ready to roll. Fuel your Melbourne to Townsville Airport trip with your choice of Redspot refuel options. Pre-pay, post-pay or fill it up yourself, it’s your call. You can also add rental car accessories, from baby seat hire to Toll Pass Waivers, to help make the drive feel easier from the first kilometre. Unlimited km for standard passenger and leisure Redspot vehicles around Australia means you can keep the road trip going without stressing over distance. Km restrictions may apply if you’re hiring a van, truck or ute, so please get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 668 810 to confirm the details before you set off. Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless specified. After-hours pick-up is available upon request and subject to availability.
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 Townsville:
Meet Our Fleet
Make the trip from Melbourne to Townsville Airport easier with Redspot’s one-way rentals. Our local team is here to help you gear up for a state-to-state drive that takes you from Victoria to North Queensland. Choose from our Melbourne vehicle range, with pick-up options from Melbourne Airport or Melbourne City, then return your rental at Townsville Airport when the drive is done. It’s a simple way to plan a longer road trip, relocation or sunny escape without driving back the way you came.
We’ll help you load up with Redspot’s rental car add-ons, making your Melbourne to Townsville Airport trip feel easier from start to finish. Travelling with little ones? Add child seat hire to help keep the kids strapped in safely for the long ride north. You can also check out our Toll Road Waiver, handy for getting through Melbourne and major city toll roads without extra fuss.
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 need a roomy SUV, a reliable sedan or a van for the bigger stuff, we can help you get moving. Pick up your rental car from Melbourne Airport or Melbourne City, load up your gear and head north towards your new chapter in Townsville. When you arrive, our friendly team at Townsville Airport will be ready to take the rental car off your hands, so you can get straight into unpacking, settling in and finding your new local coffee spot.
Is it better to fly or drive from Melbourne to Townsville Airport?
Driving or flying, it comes down to how you want the trip to feel. Flying from Melbourne to Townsville is faster, while driving gives you the freedom to stop, stretch, snack and see more of Australia on the way north. By driving, you can also skip airport baggage queues, pack more of what you need and travel on your own schedule. Compare both options before you go to see what works best for your time and budget. We may be a little biased, but after more than 35 years in Aussie car rentals, we reckon the long way can be the good way.
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 Townsville Airport
Albury Wodonga
Start the drive north with a stop in Albury Wodonga, right near the Victoria and New South Wales border. Stretch your legs by the Murray River, grab a meal in town or take a wander around Lake Hume before getting back on the road.
Dubbo
Dubbo is a strong overnight stop on a Melbourne to Townsville Airport road trip, especially if you’re travelling with family. Visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo, restock your road trip snacks and give everyone a proper break before the next long leg.
Moree
Moree is a relaxed inland stop known for its artesian pools, making it a great place to rest tired legs after a big day behind the wheel. Take a soak, grab dinner and reset before continuing towards Queensland.
Goondiwindi
Roll into Goondiwindi for a classic country stop near the New South Wales and Queensland border. It’s a handy place to fuel up, take a walk by the Macintyre River and settle in for the night before heading deeper into Queensland.
Rockhampton
Add Rockhampton to your itinerary for a bigger regional stop with plenty of places to eat, refuel and rest. Known as the beef capital of Australia, it’s also a great base for checking out the Fitzroy River and nearby Mount Archer.
Mackay
Mackay makes a great final stop before the run to Townsville Airport. Spend some time by the marina, take a walk along the Bluewater Trail or enjoy a beachside break before finishing the last stretch north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Melbourne and leave it in Townsville Airport?
Yes, absolutely! We offer one-way car hire from Melbourne to Townsville Airport, subject to availability. So whether you’re heading north for a move, a long road trip or a warm-weather escape, we can help you get there without the round trip. Simply contact our friendly team by phone or email to arrange your plans, then gear up for some easy cruising from Victoria to North Queensland.
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 Townsville Airport?
This depends on what matters most for your trip. Flying is faster, so it may suit you better if you’re short on time. Driving from Melbourne to Townsville Airport gives you more freedom to see Australia as you go, with country towns, inland roads and Queensland coastlines along the way. For a memorable Melbourne to Townsville Airport drive, we recommend heading north through Albury Wodonga, Dubbo, Moree and Goondiwindi, before making your way up through Rockhampton and Mackay. It’s a big trip, so plan your stops, stick to sealed roads and give yourself time to enjoy the ride.
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 Townsville Airport?
Road conditions from Melbourne to Townsville Airport are generally manageable on sealed major roads, but this is a long interstate drive, so it pays to check each leg before you set off. For the latest roadworks, closures, accidents, floods or other delays, check VicTraffic for Victoria, Live Traffic NSW for New South Wales and QLDTraffic for Queensland before and during your trip. These official road update sites share live information that can help you plan safer stops and avoid delays. As always, stick to sealed roads in your Redspot rental car and avoid restricted areas such as beaches, creeks, rivers, fire trails, fields and paddocks.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Melbourne to Townsville Airport car rental.