Melbourne teens killed in fiery crash

Inexperience and distraction were the likely cause of the fiery deaths of two Melbourne teenagers who were killed after their car exploded when it hit a tree.

Police say the 18-year-old driver, from Yaraville, and his 16-year-old Altona North passenger were travelling in a convoy of three cars to the rural town Eildon for a New Year's Eve party.

Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer says the two boys got lost on the Princes Highway after missing the turn-off to the Western Ring Road.

"The 16-year-old was on the phone to the other cars to get directions on how to get back on the Western Ring Road, which we know is a relatively difficult intersection, when tragically they ran off road and into a tree," Mr Fryer told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the phone call most likely distracted the driver, who had received his licence just the week before.

The car then veered off the road and hit a tree before exploding, killing both teens instantly.

"Their families will now have to reconcile the needless loss of these two young lives," said Mr Fryer.

The deaths bring Victoria's holiday road toll to six.

So far, 256 people have been killed on the road compared with 249 this time last year.

* The national road toll period runs from 0001 December 23, 2015 to 2359 January 3, 2016 local times.