Melbourne City Car Hire

Lilydale is located 37 km northeast of Melbourne's CBD at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges and is the gateway to the Yarra Valley wine region. One rental company in the area serves visitors wanting to explore the surrounding vineyards and national park. Lilydale Station is the terminus of the Belgrave/Lilydale line and makes combined trips easy.

Healesville Sanctuary, Australia's most famous wildlife park for native animals, is 22 km to the north, about 25 minutes' drive via Maroondah Highway. Yering Station and Domaine Chandon vineyards are within 10 km of Lilydale center. Lake Lillydale Reserve offers picnic areas right in town.

Book the rental car well in advance – with just one rental company, capacity can fill up, especially during harvest season (March–April). Maroondah Highway toward Healesville is narrow and winding – observe speed limits carefully. Combine a visit to the Dandenong Ranges with Puffing Billy Railway from Belgrave, 15 km south of Lilydale.

How long does it take to drive from Lilydale to Melbourne's CBD? About 40–55 minutes, 37 km via Eastern Freeway (M3), but allow longer during rush hour traffic. Which vineyards in Yarra Valley are closest to Lilydale?

Yering Station (8 km), Domaine Chandon (10 km) and Coldstream Hills (12 km) are all easy day trips. Is the rental company in Lilydale open on weekends? Opening hours vary – contact the rental company directly to confirm weekend opening hours and avoid disappointment.

We compare prices from all major providers at Melbourne Lilydale so you can see the total cost upfront — including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.