Planning for long-term parking at Melbourne Airport requires more preparation than short-term parking. Unlike quick pick-ups and drop-offs, where you're in and out within a few hours, long-term parking involves a bit more planning to make sure everything runs smoothly while you're away.
Still, a few extra measures can give you peace of mind during your long trip. Here are some parking tips to help you prepare your car for a smooth and stress-free long-term parking experience.
1. Consider Your Airport Parking Options
Choosing the right parking service can make a huge difference. Onsite parking at Melbourne Airport helps you save valuable time. It eliminates the need to wait for unreliable transport or deal with confusing off-site airport parking services.
Here are your options for long-term airport parking at Tullamarine:
- Value Parking – covers the Value North Car Park and the Value South Car Park and has the lowest daily rate of all onsite car parks. Both are open-air, and both run a free bus to the terminals every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. The Value North Car Park bus stops near Terminal 4 and then Terminal 1, so it reaches all four terminals. The Value South Car Park bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub and is ideal for those flying Jetstar, Rex or Link Airways from Terminal 4 or Virgin Australia from Terminal 3.
- Terminal Parking – covers the T123 Terminal Car Park and the T4 Terminal Car Park. The T123 Terminal Car Park connects to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 by a covered link bridge, so it suits Qantas domestic flights from Terminal 1, international flights from Terminal 2 and Virgin Australia domestic flights from Terminal 3. The T4 Terminal Car Park sits 100 metres from Terminal 4 and suits Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways, as well as some Virgin Australia flights from Terminal 3. Both offer a mix of open-air and undercover parking and put you a short walk from check-in.
- Premium Parking – covers the T123 Premium Car Park and the T4 Premium Car Park. Located on Level 1, these self-parking bays sit at prime spots closest to the terminal entrances, and every bay is fully undercover.
- Valet Parking – covers Melbourne Airport Valet and Qantas Valet, both located on Level 1 of the T123 Car Park. Drive in, hand your keys to our team, and walk to check in. Melbourne Airport Valet runs 24/7 and can be booked online, while Qantas Valet runs from 5 AM to 1 AM, sits closest to the Terminal 1 entrance and needs no pre-booking. Both are open to all travellers, and both offer optional car cleaning.
The best part about parking onsite? You can book your parking online as far ahead as 12 months or as late as two hours before you get here. Booking early locks in the best available rate at the time of booking, which can work out cheaper than the drive-up rate you’d pay at the boom gate.
2. Double-Check Car Insurance and Registration
Make sure your registration, insurance and driver's licence are all current before you leave, and check that none of them expires while you’re away. When you land and collect your car, you will be driving it home, so the dates that matter are the ones on your return, not just your departure.
If a renewal falls due during your trip, sort it before you go. Driving an unregistered or unlicensed vehicle carries penalties that vary by state and can run into the thousands, even for a first offence. Keep your car insurance current, too. Store digital copies of your documents on your phone so they are easy to reach if you need them.
3. Check Fluids and Top Them Up
Engine oil, coolant and brake fluid all need to be at the right level before the car sits idle. Low fluids don’t fix themselves while you’re away, and you’ll find out about them on the drive home when you’d rather not. Pop the bonnet, check each one and top up what’s low.
4. Check the Tyre Pressure
Tyres lose pressure over time, and an under-inflated tyre that sits in one position for weeks can develop flat spots. That’s a vibration you’ll feel through the wheel when you drive off. Check each tyre and inflate it to the pressure specified in the owner’s manual or on the sticker inside the driver’s door. Don’t forget the spare.
5. Protect the Battery
Car batteries can drain if not used for an extended period. Three weeks in a car park is long enough for some batteries to give up entirely. If you’re away for several weeks, disconnect the battery before you go, or use a trickle charger to hold the charge. For a shorter trip, most batteries will hold up fine on their own.
6. Clean the Car Inside and Out
Food scraps and rubbish left in a closed car for two weeks will smell, and they’ll attract pests. Empty the bins, check under the seats and pull out anything that could go off. Give the exterior a wash too, so dirt and bird droppings don’t have weeks to bake onto the paint.
7. Place a Moisture Absorber Inside
A sealed car with no airflow builds up moisture, and moisture in a warm cabin turns into mould. A moisture absorber in the cabin soaks up the worst of it, and they cost a few dollars at any hardware store.
Drop silica gel packets into the glovebox and centre console while you’re at it, since those are the compartments that trap damp air.
8. Use a Rodent Deterrent
Any car left undriven for a long stretch can attract rodents. They chew through wiring, and a chewed loom is an expensive repair for a problem that costs almost nothing to prevent.
Mothballs or peppermint oil around the engine bay create a scent barrier that rodents avoid. Dryer sheets in the cabin do a similar job. It’s a cheap precaution that’s worth taking whenever a car sits still for weeks, no matter where it’s parked.
9. Leave Valuables at Home
Before you leave home, clear the car out. Short trip or long one, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Take cash, credit cards, electronics, personal documents, tools and anything else you wouldn’t want to lose. After you’ve parked, give the glovebox and centre console another quick check.
10. Fill the Fuel Tank
Fill up on the way to the airport. A full tank leaves less room for air, and less air means less condensation forming in the tank while the car sits, which is worth knowing if you’re parking open-air. It also means you're not hunting for a petrol station at midnight on the way home.
11. Arrive Early
Arriving early gives you time to complete important tasks before leaving your car. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes on top of your usual buffer. If you’re in one of our Value Car Parks, factor in the free bus ride to your terminal. It runs every 15 minutes, so plan for the wait plus the ride.
12. Use a Sunshade for the Interior
Melbourne summers get hot, and a windscreen acts like a magnifying glass. Weeks of direct sun will fade and crack a dashboard. Use a sunshade to protect the interior from heat and UV damage, especially if you’re parking outdoors.
A sunshade not only preserves the condition of your interior but also keeps the cabin cooler, making it more comfortable when you return. Choose a sunshade that fits your windscreen properly and position it securely to block as much sunlight as possible.
13. Use a Car Cover
If you’re parking in an open-air or outdoor parking facility like our Value Car Parks, a car cover is a smart investment. It shields your vehicle from dust, bird droppings and weather damage. Plus, it can deter prying eyes and add another layer of security. Choose a high-quality cover designed for your car model for the best fit and protection.
14. Turn Off Unnecessary Electronics
Electronics like interior lights or the radio can drain the battery if left on. Double-check that everything is switched off before leaving the car, including headlights and cabin lights. Unplug the dashcam and phone chargers too. They pull a small current even when nothing's connected.
15. Close All Windows and Vent Openings
Double-check that all windows and vents are closed before leaving your car. This simple step helps to keep out moisture, insects and debris that could otherwise cause damage or unpleasant surprises. By sealing off these openings, you protect the interior and ensure the car stays clean and fresh while you’re away for an extended period.
16. Lock All the Doors
Obvious, but worth saying out loud. Walk around and check every door, including the boot, and test the handles rather than trusting the beep. A steering wheel lock is worth considering if you have one.
17. Take a Photo of Your Car and Surroundings
Two weeks is long enough to forget exactly where you left the car. A quick photo before you walk away saves you wandering a car park with your bags when you land.
Take a photo of the bay number and the level you’re on, then take a wider shot showing the nearest bus shelter, lift or entrance. Those are the landmarks you’ll be looking for on the way back. In our Value Car Parks, note your section and bay number, since the bus shelters are lettered, and that tells you which one to get off at.
While you’re circling the car, take a few photos of it from each corner too. It’s a simple record of how the car looked when you left it.
If Anything Goes Wrong, We’re Here to Help
Not everything on this list will go to plan, and that’s alright. Maybe you land at 5 AM, walk into the car park and go completely blank on where you left the car. Or you find it, turn the key and get nothing but a click. That’s what the HELP buttons are for. You’ll find them at every bus shelter in our Value Car Parks and at the entry and exit boom gates. Press one to get in touch with our customer service team at any hour.
Book parking online now, and we’ll email you a QR code to scan at the boom gate. For offers and updates straight to your inbox, subscribe to our Parking Deals newsletter. You can also follow Melbourne Airport on social media to hear about changes around the precinct before you drive in.