For many, the best family road trips are the ones where the journey is just as memorable as the destination. Travelling with kids can make those moments even more special. It just takes a little extra planning, especially if you’re driving a hire car.

At Melbourne Airport, that part is easy. With car hire companies right on site, you can step off the plane, collect your vehicle, and be on your way. And if you’ve already planned what to pack, it’s simply a matter of loading everything in, getting everyone settled, and starting your getaway ready for the drive ahead.

A good road trip packing list makes driving a car hire with kids much easier. Think of what will keep everyone comfortable, organised, and prepared from the moment you leave. From small comforts for little ones to must-haves for older kids and the whole family, having these items on hand means you can focus on the drive and enjoy the journey.

1. Health and safety kit

Keep a compact first-aid kit with Band-Aids, medications, and motion sickness remedies close by, along with sunscreen for bright coastal days. If you’re heading out along the Great Ocean Road or into the high country, keep this kit in the glove box or centre console so you’re not digging through the boot mid-journey.

Does your getaway call for a car seat or booster? You don’t need to bring your own. Just add it when booking your rental. It’s one less thing to organise on the day, so you can load up and head off without delay.

2. Hygiene essentials

A small bag of toiletries, like a toothbrush, deodorant, and hand sanitiser, is worth keeping handy, along with toilet paper and wet wipes (baby wipes are the best!) for quick clean-ups. Store this bag somewhere easy to grab during stops at the gas station or when you pull into a rest area on the way out of Melbourne.

3. Spare clothing and layers

Keep extra clothes and jackets in an easy-to-reach bag. They’re handy for unexpected spills, potty accidents, cooler evenings, or weather changes as you travel.

4. Comfort items

A travel pillow makes long car rides more comfortable for older kids and little ones in the back seat. Hire cars usually have good boot space, but keep comfort items in the cabin so they’re ready when someone needs them.

5. Food and drink

Lunchboxes work well for snacks or light meals and can be stored in the seat-back pocket or within easy reach on the back seat. Pair them with water bottles for every passenger. If your hire car has cup holders or a centre console, use them for smaller containers so passengers can help themselves without you having to stop.

6. Power and tech

Bring chargers for devices used for navigation, music, and keeping kids entertained. Pack a longer cable for passengers in the back needing a top-up. Many hire cars include several USB ports. Check when you book your vehicle so you can make the most of the available charging points.

7. Organisation and storage

Small storage tubs or reusable bags help keep the cabin tidy and make it easier to find what you need without unpacking the whole boot. In a hire car, they also help keep belongings together so nothing gets left behind when returning the vehicle.

8. Rubbish control

Pack resealable trash bags to keep food wrappers, tissues, and other waste. Keeping rubbish contained not only makes the cabin more pleasant for everyone but also cuts down the time for clean-up before you hand back the hire car.

9. Navigation backup

A paper map can be a lifesaver if you’re driving through areas with patchy reception, such as rural stretches or coastal roads. Keep it in the glove box so it’s ready to use if your GPS or phone signal drops out.

10. Entertainment starter

Have a book, small toy, or pre-downloaded show ready for the start of the trip. It gives kids something to do while you settle into the drive, set up navigation, or make your way out of the airport precinct.

Packing for a family road trip in a hire car is as much about where you put things as it is about what you bring. How you organise the cabin and boot can make the difference between smooth travel and constant rummaging.

• Load the boot with a plan. Place larger suitcases and bags you won’t need until you arrive at your accommodation right at the back. Keep frequently used gear, like jackets or picnic rugs, near the front so you can grab them without unpacking everything.
• Keep daily essentials in reach. The cabin is for what you’ll use most: snacks, wipes, lunchboxes, chargers, and entertainment for the back seat. A small tote or organiser between the kids can hold these, so you’re not constantly turning around or pulling over.
• Use every storage spot. Hire cars often have clever storage: cup holders for water bottles, seat-back pockets for books, glove boxes for maps, and door bins for small items. Make the most of these spaces to keep the cabin tidy and make life easier for everyone on board.
• Pack with balance in mind. Heavier bags should sit low and close to the centre of the car so they don’t shift on corners. Spread weight evenly so passengers have enough space and can access their own belongings without digging.
• Think about the trip home. When you’re returning your car hire, you’ll appreciate a system that’s easy to unload. Separate bags by type or passenger so you can find and remove everything quickly.

Flying in from overseas? Pre-order your family’s road trip essentials on Laneway, Melbourne Airport’s online duty free shopping platform. You can shop up to 60 days before you travel and collect your order at Terminal 2 when you land, ready to load straight into your hire car.

Whether you’re heading down the coast, through the high country, or across regional Victoria, a long drive can be part of the adventure when there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It keeps kids entertained, the adults engaged, and the whole car in good spirits.

• For younger kids, try simple road trip games like I Spy or Spot-the-Car-Colour. Sticker books are also great for quiet play, while audiobook versions of their favourite short stories can hold the kiddos’ attention without screen time.
• For older kids, road trip activities like word games, trivia challenges or creating a travel journal make the kilometres go faster. It’s also a good idea to load their iPad or bring a portable DVD player for movies on long road trips, especially if the rental doesn’t have built-in screens.
• For adults, put together a car trip playlist that works for the whole family, from sing-along classics to new favourites. To keep the blood flowing during rest stops, a quick game of frisbee can help everyone stretch and recharge before getting back on the road.

The best travel tip of all? Sort your rental from the same place you land. At Melbourne Airport, you’ll find well-known car hire companies right on site, so once you get off the plane, all that’s left is to pick up the keys and start the drive.

At Melbourne Airport, you won’t need to go far to collect your rental. You’ll find several car hire providers onsite, so you can sort the paperwork without leaving the precinct. From arrival, it’s only a short walk to the Ground Floor of the T123 car park, where your rental will be waiting.

Here’s who you’ll find onsite:

• Avis – Want something reliable that gets you on the road quickly? Avis has spacious sedans and SUVs, which come in handy when you’ve got kids, luggage and a few extras to fit in.
• Budget – Watching your spend, but still want a family-friendly car that’s easy to drive? Booking with Budget gives you value without giving up comfort.
• Europcar – Has a fleet that includes newer models with good fuel economy to help cut costs along the way. Some vehicles also offer modern infotainment and safety tech like lane assist and parking sensors.
• Redspot – Prefer something simple and easy after your flight? Redspot offers straightforward pricing and includes toll cover in many bookings, which is handy when you’re juggling directions, toll roads, and little voices in the back seat.
• Hertz – Travelling with a full carload? Hertz has roomy SUVs and people movers that give you space to spread out. Plenty of boot space helps when you’ve got prams, bags, or sports gear to fit in.
• Sixt – After something modern with all the handy extras? Sixt offers newer models with features like built-in navigation and Bluetooth, meaning fewer cords and quicker playlists once you hit the road.

Whichever company you go with, you can add extras to make the drive easier and more comfortable for everyone. Child seats and boosters can be booked before you arrive, GPS units can help you find the best route, and toll passes mean you can cruise through toll roads without stopping.

In Victoria, kids need to use a car seat or booster until they're at least seven years old, but it’s not just about age. It also depends on their height and whether they can safely sit in an adult seatbelt. Here’s the general guide:

• Up to 6 months: Rear-facing car seat
• 6 months to 4 years: Rear- or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness
• 4 to 7 years: Forward-facing seat with a harness or a booster seat with a properly adjusted seatbelt
• 7 years and older: Booster seat or adult seat, depending on their size

If you’ve got a 7-year-old who does not fit properly in the regular seat (feet flat on the floor, back against the seat, belt sitting across the shoulder and hips), it’s safer to keep using a booster. All on-airport car hire companies at Melbourne Airport offer car seat rental as an add-on to your booking.

Yes. Most car hire companies at Melbourne Airport allow you to add extra drivers to your rental agreement, including family members. This can be a big help on a road trip with kids, giving you the flexibility to share the driving and take breaks when needed.

In most cases, the additional driver must:

• Meet the same licence requirements as the main driver
• Present their licence when the rental is collected
• Be added to the rental agreement before they start driving

Daily rates for an additional driver vary between providers. Some companies waive the fee if the extra driver is the main driver’s spouse or someone who lives at the same home address. Others may include one additional driver for free as part of the booking.

A family road trip can be one of the most rewarding ways to see Melbourne and the rest of Victoria, especially when you’ve got the right car, the right gear, and a plan that works for everyone. Book early through the Melbourne Airport Car Rentals page to get the best rates, enjoy no booking or cancellation fees, and choose from a wide range of vehicles and family-friendly extras!