Brisbane riverside.
  1. Car rental
  2. Driving tips
  3. Brisbane

Getting around Brisbane in a rental car

If you’re planning a trip to Brisbane and want to hire a rental car, hit the road running with our insider tips on getting the most out of your journey.

Read on to find out more.

The capital of the Australian state of Queensland, Brisbane is a city almost perfectly-designed for exploration with a rental car. From zipping around downtown to using Brisbane as a base to visit nearby favourites including the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, with a hire car the entire region is within easy reach — and best of all VroomVroomVroom can help you find and compare top rental cars in Brisbane to find the right hire car for you.

Hire a car in Brisbane

Where to drive your rental car in Brisbane

  • The CBD: The heart of Brisbane is packed to the brim with great restaurants, shopping, and markets. It’s also easier to park here than in Sydney or Melbourne, so feel free to drive around and explore.

  • South Bank: One of Brisbane’s most popular districts, South Bank is home to beautiful gardens and riverfront walking, as well as Brisbane’s Cremorne Theatre, Gallery of Modern Art, and even a beach.

  • Kangaroo Point: For great views and quiet walking trails, there’s no better place in Brisbane than Kangaroo Point. You can even try abseiling down the cliff walls.

  • Fortitude Valley: The entertainment hub of Brisbane, Fortitude Valley is located just north of the city centre and is home Brisbane’s Chinatown, vintage shops, and dining options.

  • Milton: For any football fans, a visit to Milton, the home of Queensland’s iconic Suncorp Stadium, is a must. VroomVroomVroom’s head office is also located here!

Driving tips in Brisbane

  • Watch out for peak hour when driving in Brisbane and south-east Queensland. With a lot of workers commuting between Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast, the highways leading to and from Brisbane can become congested.

  • If you’re planning to travel out of Brisbane, be sure to take plenty of breaks as distances between locations can be substantial in Australia, especially in Queensland.

  • Gympie Road will take you north from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, while the Pacific Motorway (M3) is the most direct route for those planning on driving to the Gold Coast.

  • There are a few toll roads in Brisbane that require payment, so be sure to ask your rental provider about toll payment before you hit the road.

  • There’s plenty of parking within Brisbane’s CBD and inner suburbs, but it is a good idea to read up on the rules before you park your car. Some parking will require payment, while curbside parking may be free — read on for more details.

Parking in Brisbane

There are plenty of secure parking options in Brisbane, with many flat-fee garage locations conveniently situated throughout the city. If you’re parking on the street, you’ll need to pay at the meter and adhere to the time limits displayed. You might also find discounted parking by booking online, and if you’re after parking at Brisbane Airport, check out our Brisbane Airport parking deals page.

When parking your rental car in Brisbane, be sure to read any time zone limitations, what payment (if any) is due, and how long you are permitted to park in a spot. Car parking rules should be displayed on signs beside the parking spots, and often show different rules depending on the day of the week and time of day — inner city Brisbane parking rules tend to be more restrictive on weekdays.

Important Information

Expert tip ...

Parking rules can change depending on the day of the week and the time of day, and as getting booked can be an expensive experience, it is a good idea to read before you park.

 

Toll roads in Brisbane

To drive your rental car on the toll roads in Brisbane, you’ll need to have an e-Tag. These tags are generally already fitted into rental vehicles, but we recommend checking with your rental provider about toll payment. Usually, a rental supplier will deduct the toll amounts from your nominated credit card. The toll roads in Brisbane include the Gateway Motorway, Logan Motorway, Clem7 Tunnel, AirportLinkM7, the Go Between Bridge, and Legacy Way.

Driving distances

Fuel

Before you return your hire car to the rental car provider’s depot, make sure you’ve filled the fuel tank to avoid paying a premium rate to have the vehicle refuelled. The Vroom Fuel Price Compare app can help you find the cheapest fuel near you, but otherwise some centrally-located petrol stations in Brisbane include:

  • Ampol Foodary, 516 Kingsford Smith Dr, Hamilton, Brisbane, QLD

  • bp, 1053 Creek Rd, Cannon Hill, Brisbane, QLD

  • BP, 20 Commercial Rd, Newstead, Brisbane, QLD

  • 7-Eleven, 508 Vulture Street Corner, Wellington Rd, East Brisbane, QLD

  • Liberty Highgate Hill, 22 Gladstone Rd, Highgate Hill, Brisbane, QLD

Read more driving tips for Australia