Five road trips you can take from Melbourne with Uber Carshare

No matter how many times you’ve tackled it, the Great Ocean Road never fails to take your breath away. In many ways, the 243-kilometre stretch of sweeping vistas, sandy coastlines, wildlife and natural wonders is the ultimate road trip – especially when you hire a convertible from Uber Careshare. Be sure to check out the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the Gibson Steps, and for a complete change of scenery, follow the giant eucalyptus trees and towering Californian redwoods into the lush depths of the Great Otway National Park. While you're there don't miss the Live Wire Park in Lorne – this outdoor adventure park features a zip line track, high ropes course, elevated trampoline nets. And if you're feeling peckish there’s no place more renowned for its scallop pie than the Apollo Bay Bakery, or you can quench your thirst at Forrest Brewing, a 600-litre independent brewhouse.

Romantic getaways don’t come much more swoon-worthy than the dreamy hamlet of Daylesford, and when you hire a cosy compact car from Uber Carshare, you can zoom up the Calder Freeway and be there in just under two hours. As the spa capital of the state, it’s the ideal place for you and your significant other to relax, reconnect and indulge in a treatment or two. The renowned Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa offers private bathing areas, a magnesium salt bath and a cold plunge pool, plus an extensive menu of massages, facials and body scrubs. All that de-stressing can be hungry work though, so head to the stunning Lake House for a fine dining experience, the Farmers Arms Hotel for homely pub fare or La Trattoria at Lavandula for brunch among the lavender fields. Be sure to also take a stroll around the lake, and leave plenty of time to browse the many galleries, antique shops and cute boutiques – you’ll want a souvenir of your weekend away, after all. 

You know that epic High Country vacay you and your pals have been talking about going on for years? Well, it’s finally time to do it – and Uber Carshare can help you get there. It would be rude not to immerse yourself in the region’s natural splendour, so hit the hiking trails (there are more than 60 routes in the region, but for a real challenge we love the Razorback Loop in the Cathedral Range State Park), go mountain biking or try kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on the Ovens River. You’ll also want to stop in for a froff at Bright Brewery – this family-owned establishment has a rotating roster of beers and makes for a great spot to enjoy a refreshment (always drink responsibly). There’s even a couple of fine dining options, if you and the gang feel like being fancy: Beechworth’s Provenance and the Ox and Hound Bistro are both highly regarded establishments.

Family road trips are a rite of passage, and with a savvy-storage SUV from Uber Carshare it’s never been easier to load your bags, wrangle the kids and hit the highway. One destination that meets all the requirements for a wholesome household holiday is Phillip Island, a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. There’s wildlife galore, and you can see koalas up close at the Conservation Reserve or spot seals when you take passage with Wildlife Coast Cruises. And no trip is complete without visiting the island’s most famous residents: the little penguins – their nightly parade is a must-see. Take to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in a go-kart and race your fam for first place, or discover a world of optical illusions and mind-boggling puzzles at A Maze’n Things. The Cape Woolamai and Pyramid Rock walking trails are also really lovely, or you can swap two feet for two wheels and explore the island on an electric bike. 

As ground zero of Victoria’s bushfires in early 2020, East Gippsland has copped a real beating of late, so what better way to support this fertile region – also known as the food bowl of the state – than with a foodie-focussed trip. Hire a car from Uber Carshare and make a beeline for your first stop: Sardine Eatery and Bar in Paynesville. This charming bistro serves up locally sourced seafood, with the namesake sardines a real menu highlight. Some of the country pubs also offer a cracking meal, so try the Criterion Hotel or Tinamba Hotel. There are a number of wineries and breweries to explore – including Lightfoot and Sons, Wyanga Park Winery and Red Bluff Brewers – so make sure you explore responsibly and are on board with being designated driver. And be sure to fill up your car boot with a bounty of goodies from local farm gates like Picnic Point Farm (for apples, cherries and raspberries) and Nullamunjie Olive Grove (for olive oil).