Rental Car Return in Melbourne, AU

[MauiGOOT]

Husband and I will be arriving in Melbourne a few days prior to our Princess Cruise on December 11, 2014. We want to go to Phillip Island and stay there prior to the cruise. We arrive at the airport late, so we plan to spend the 1st night near the airport and then shuttle back to the airport to pick up a rental car the next morning.

My question is... where should we return the rental car? We'll be returning from Phillip Island on embarkation day. Does it make sense to return the car to the airport? Or, is there a closer spot to the cruise dock that is fairly easy to navigate to? We have not chosen a car rental agency yet (suggestions?), have never driven in Australia before, are in our 60's, travel lightly (just 2 small pieces of 'carry-on' luggage plus a bag). If there is not a place to return the car close by or if it is wiser to just return it back to the airport, how would you suggest we get from the airport to the ship?

Thanks for any help!

[cruiserking]

Try asking your question at the Australian boards at Cruise Critic here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77

 

Jonathan

[SPacificbound]

Take a look at the little map here:

 

http://www.ihatetaxis.com/airport/ME1-Melbourne-Cruise-Port-Terminal/Melbourne-Cruise-Port-Terminal-car-rental

[OzKiwiJJ]

It would be much cheaper and easier to return your rental to a city location, rather than the airport, then get a taxi from there.

 

The freeway that you join from Phillip Island passes very close to the city.

 

Check the rental car companies online for their locations.