By Car in Melbourne

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By Car

The major route into Melbourne is Hume Highway, which runs northeast to Canberra, a distance of 646 km (400 mi), and Sydney, 868 km (538 mi). Princes Highway follows the coast to Sydney in one direction and to Adelaide, 728 km (451 mi) northwest of Melbourne, in the other. The Western Highway runs northwest 111 km (69 mi) to Ballarat, and the Calder Highway travels north to Bendigo, a journey of 149 km (92 mi). From Melbourne it takes 10-12 hours to reach Sydney, about 9 hours to Adelaide, and about 1 1/2 hours to Bendigo and Ballarat. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is the major source of information on all aspects of road travel in Victoria. You can also check the Route Planner on the Visit Victoria Web site www.visitvictoria.com.au.

Melbourne's regimented layout makes it easy to negotiate by car, but two unusual rules apply because of the tram traffic on the city's major roads. Trams should be passed on the left, and when a tram stops to allow passengers to disembark, the cars behind it also must stop unless there is a railed safety zone for tram passengers.

At some intersections within the city, drivers wishing to turn right must stay in the left lane as they enter the intersection, then wait for the traffic signals to change before proceeding with the turn. This is known as a "hook turn". The rule is intended to prevent traffic from impeding tram service. For complete directions, look for the black-and-white traffic signs suspended overhead as you enter each intersection where this rule applies. All other right-hand turns are made from the center. It's far easier to understand this rule by seeing it in action rather than reading about it.

Motorists using various tollways -- roadways you pay to use -- including the Citylink from the airport to downtown Melbourne, have 72 hours to pay the toll after using the highway. To pay by credit card, call 13-2629. Alternatively, you can buy passes at the airport before using the tollways. A weekend pass is around A$10.

Avis, Budget, and Hertz have branches at Melbourne Airport as well as downtown. If you rent from a major company, expect to pay about A$60 per day for a compact standard model. If you don't mind an older model and can return the car to the pick-up point, consider a smaller local rental agency, such as Rent-a-Bomb.

Contacts

Citylink (13-2629. www.citylink.com.au). Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV. 13-1955. www.racv.com.au).

Rentals

Airport Rent A Car (1800/331220). Avis (13-6333). Budget (13-2727). Hertz (13-3039). Rent-a-Bomb (13-1553).