Car & Van Hire - Coburg

Coburg’s parks are one of its main attractions. You can easily spend half a day at Merri Creek at Coburg Lake Reserve, the biggest park in Coburg. Here you’ll find cycling and hiking trails, as well as great spots for a picnic along the banks of the creek.

Coburg has a varied range of eateries, so you will never be far from your favourite food, whether it is Lebanese, Malaysian, Indian or Vietnamese. The area also has big chains like Nando’s, KFC and Domino’s, and plenty of cafes where you can stop for a quick bite or a snack.

Visitors with children will never be far from a city park or playground. One of the local favourites is Doug Hull Adventure Park, situated at the northern edge of Coburg Lake Reserve.

The largest event venue here is Coburg Velodrome, which has hosted multiple charity events, concerts, festivals and outdoor cinema shows since 2015. For displays of local art and small events, drop by Schoolhouse Studios, which is located a few steps from Coburg Railway Station. The biggest sports events here are Coburg Lions football matches, held at Coburg Oval stadium.

The main shopping area in Coburg is located along Sydney Road, where you will find a variety of stores selling everyday amenities, clothes, electronics, etc. Walkers Arcade is one of the oldest shopping venues in Coburg. This small indoor shopping area is home to a few affordable eateries and is a convenient place to stop if you visit during a rainy day.

Coburg also has a few major supermarket chains, like Coles and Woolworths, as well as several independent grocery shops and convenience stores.

Pentridge shopping centre is located off metro road 55 near the Pentridge Clock tower. At this modern shopping centre, you will find cinemas, coffee shops, restaurants, wine bars, gift shops and suchlike. Free parking is available for up to three hours.

Nearby is the old Pentridge Prison site, a historical landmark worth visiting since it has been described as a haunted place. Guided tours are available.

If you’re in Coburg during the weekend, take a stroll around the local farmer’s market, located a short walk from Bridge’s Reserve. The market is open every Saturday when growers from different parts of the state come to sell their produce. Most weeks, there’s some low-key event or live entertainment at the market, too.

As in the rest of Australia, left-hand traffic laws apply in Coburg. There are no traffic signs to this effect, so bear this in mind throughout your journey if you are not used to driving on the left.

Since Coburg is a suburban area, traffic is generally fluid until you get closer to Melbourne. Having said that, it’s best to avoid the area near Oval Stadium whenever there is a Lions match. The AFL season runs between March and September every year, so check match dates in advance if you plan to be in the area at that time. For tips on which streets to avoid, ask when you pick up your car rental in Coburg.

The main access road in and out of Coburg is metro route 55, which connects Hume Highway with central Melbourne and the docklands area. Sydney Road is part of metro route 55. This road eventually joins the M31 all the way to Sydney.

Another major road nearby is the M80 ring road, one of Melbourne’s main freeways. Sydney Road meets the M80 at the Fawkner intersection, north of central Coburg. This road also offers access to Melbourne’s airport. The speed limit here is 100 km/hour unless lower speeds apply due to roadworks or near the Greensborough Bypass, where the maximum speed is 90 km/h.

In the state of Victoria, the maximum driving speed is 50 km/hour when travelling in built-up areas like Coburg or where there are no other traffic signs to indicate otherwise. Please note that some busy streets in Coburg have a 40 km/hour speed limit in order to reduce accidents involving pedestrians.

Coburg’s convenient location allows you to drive to the main landmarks in the metro Melbourne area, including the beaches along Hobson’s Bay, Melbourne Zoo, and the museum area near the docklands.

Popular day trips from Coburg include the scenic drive along Great Ocean Road, the wineries in Yarra Valley, and the rugged landscapes of Phillip Island.

The majority of public car parks in Coburg offer free parking for up to three hours. This is the case at Pentridge shopping centre and the car parks at Victoria Street and Louisa Street.