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Renting a campervan in Australia is easy with Camper Champ. We compare prices from over 20 companies across the country, offering everything from budget campervans to luxury motorhomes to suit your travel plans.
Campervan rental costs in Australia range from $40 to $500 per day for most rentals, and depend on vehicle type and travel dates.
Pick up your campervan in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Hobart or other major cities. With extensive RV infrastructure, including water refills and scenic campsites, exploring Australia by campervan is affordable and convenient. One-way rentals are also available for additional flexibility.
Plan the ultimate motorhome road trip - from the Great Barrier Reef and Blue Mountains on the East Coast to the red hot outback and vast Western Australia.
The cost of hiring a campervan in Australia through a supplier can vary depending on several factors, such as:
One-way rentals also usually incur a relocation fee which can significantly increase the costs. However, to give you a general idea, here are some estimated costs:
Prices also vary significantly between suppliers, so it’s essential to use a comparison tool that allows you to shop around and compare prices before booking. Extras like camping chairs and tables can also come at an additional cost. Look out for promotions that include these as a bonus.
The cheapest time to rent a campervan in Australia can vary depending on the location, the supplier, and the time of year. However, the off-peak season with the lowest rates typically runs from May to August.
During this period, many tourists tend to avoid traveling to Australia due to the cooler temperatures and rainy weather in some regions. This means that suppliers experience lower demand, and as a result, lower often lower prices.
Additionally, **if you book well in advance, you may be able to secure lower rates, regardless of the time of year", just like hotel bookings. It's also worth noting that companies offer promotional rates or discounts during certain times of the year, so it's a good idea to compare prices and check for any special deals before booking.
Discover Australia your way by choosing a camper that suits your travel needs.
El Cheapo 2 Sleeper
4-Berth HiTop
Lucky Rookie
Hi5 Camper - (HIFI)
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Travellers Station Wagon
El Cheapo 2 Sleeper
Champ
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Scout 4WD Camper
X-Terrain 4x4
Outback 4WD Camper
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Australia can get very hot in summer. And during the winter, you’ll be surprised how frigid the southern states become. As you’re exposed to the elements on a road trip, it’s worth choosing a destination that coincides with the best weather. Remember the rule of thumb: head north in winter and south in summer.
Campervan hire will be your biggest single expense, so it’s worth doing the legwork to snag a good deal. Avoid peak travel seasons like Christmas, Easter and school holidays—it’ll be too crowded anyway. Book well in advance and use Camper Champ to compare prices between key players.
No, you can’t pop over to Uluru in the afternoon. Australia is an astonishingly large country that takes a long time to travel. Refining your campervan adventure to a reasonably small region lets you minimise highway hours and spend more time soaking up the scenery.
Now you know which region you’ll visit, create a shortlist of its must-see attractions and pin them in your favourite map app. Need inspiration on where to go? We’ve put together an in-depth travel guide spanning the top sites of each Australian state.
With a hotlist of must-visit sites on your phone, work out the most logical route to travel between them all. Minimising backtracking not only reduces travel time, but it’ll also save you big bucks at the petrol pump.
You’ll need to keep a keen eye on your fresh water tank, waste water levels, battery power, fuel, and food. Replenishing these essentials isn’t always convenient in remote regions, so get proactive and plan your top-ups ahead of time.
It’s wise to work out where you’ll camp before nightfall. Find an affordable nearby campground and make a booking (if required) while it’s still light. Remember: you can’t just pull over and sleep anywhere in Australia.
Riding in a fully self-contained motorhome with all the bells of whistles? You’ll be fine to camp off-grid for a night or two. But if you’re in a tiny camper, you will need somewhere with a toilet and shower.
As you’ll spend most of your time outside, it’s crucial to pack climate-appropriate clothing. Other outdoor essentials include bug repellent, sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and comfortable footwear. If you’re cruising with the kids, pack plenty of entertainment to amuse them during those inevitable long drives. And don’t forget to download your mapping app and favourite playlists for offline use.
From wombats to kangaroos and everything in between, Australian animals have a nasty habit of wandering onto the highway. Slow down if you see wildlife on the side of the road, and avoid driving at sunrise, sunset, and night to minimise the risk.
Australia is expensive. High salaries, vast distances, and a strong economy ensure high prices across the board. But you can minimise your travel expenses by adopting the following thrifty tips:
Avoid peak season: Rental prices skyrocket during Christmas, New Year, Easter, and school holidays. Plan your trip outside peak periods to snag an affordable daily rate.
Book early: Most rental agencies set prices based on availability. Getting in early gives you access to better deals.
Shop around: A price comparison tool like Camper Champ lets you compare prices from motorhome rental agencies to secure a great deal.
Downsize: While a flashy big motorhome makes life more luxurious on the road, you’ll pay for the privilege through higher rental and refuelling costs. Booking a small, budget-friendly campervan saves you a significant sum.
Stick to one region: Australia is enormous, so don’t try to squeeze too much into one trip. Focusing on one region sees you burn less fuel and avoid hefty one-way fees. Who wants to spend their whole holiday behind the wheel anyway?
Return to your pick-up point: One-way drop-off fees often cost a bomb. While doubling back to your pick-up point entails extra driving, it’ll save you stacks of coin. Weigh up both options to see what works best for you.
Shop around for fuel: Aussie servos (petrol stations) charge variable rates. A mobile app like PetrolSpy lets you compare prices in real-time.
Avoid backtracking: Following the shortest route means using less fuel. Use your favourite map app to determine the quickest way to go.
Look for extras: You’ll need linen, camping chairs, and cooking gear. Ensure these come included with your rental, so you don’t have to purchase them separately.
Self-cater: Eating out in Australia adds up fast. Stock up on groceries at a major supermarket (Aldi is the cheapest) and cook your meals to save. Just as well, your camper comes with a nifty little kitchen.
Find cheap campsites: Australian holiday parks charge a tidy sum. Find free or low-cost campgrounds near you. You might need to get in early (or book online) at the most popular sites to secure a spot.
Consider a national park pass: If you’re planning on visiting several national parks, it could work out cheaper to purchase a holiday park pass. These give you unlimited entry within a specific state and timeframe.
Hit the trails: Hiking, or bushwalking as the locals call it, is a great way to experience the beauty of Australia for free. If space permits, BYO surfboard, inflatable kayak, or mountain bike for more free thrills.
As a sprawling island continent, the climate and seasons vary considerably across Australia. That means the best time to visit depends on where you want to go.
However, there is one handy rule of thumb: head north in the winter (June-August) and south in the summer (December-February).
Australia’s remote northern regions—think Cairns, Darwin, and Broome—offer pleasant winter weather, while its southern hubs—like Hobart and Melbourne—will feel the chill.
But in the warmer summer months, the tropical north swelters through intense humidity while the southern states enjoy balmy (albeit sometimes scorching hot) days.
Autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) can bring pleasant weather sans the thick high-season crowds. Aim to arrive close to the ideal season (i.e., March/November in Tasmania or May/September in Broome) to enjoy cosier temperatures.
For more detailed climatic information on each region, see our guides for Far North Queensland, Southeast Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the Red Centre, the Top End, Northwest WA, and Southwest WA.
It takes years to explore the width and breadth of Australia in a campervan. But if you break down the enormous nation into bite-sized regions, you can experience awe-inspiring highlights in a more manageable (and affordable) one or two-week holiday.
While the average human can safely drive up to eight hours in a day, you don’t want to spend your whole holiday stuck behind the wheel. After all, you’ll need plenty of time to explore the sites, embark on hikes, and relax at a scenic campsite.
As a rule of thumb, aim for an average of about two hours of highway driving per day, spread out over the length of your trip.
Leave at least a week for a Melbourne to Sydney road trip to tackle the 14-hour coastal drive at a leisurely pace. Heading between Sydney and Brisbane? Allow at least five days to cover the 10-hour drive. Brisbane to Cairns is a 20-hour trip, so you’ll want ten days or more.
The same logic applies to other Australian regions.
The Red Centre Way between Alice Springs, the West MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, and Uluru entails about 12 hours of driving. Therefore, allow six or seven days to savour the highlights or more if you want to explore in-depth.
A Top End road trip from Darwin is doable in about a week. Allow three days to return from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road. Tasmania has stacks to see in a small compact state, so aim for a week or two.
A road trip to Esperance along the WA southwest coast will require at least two weeks. Likewise, you’ll want 14 days for the long drive between Broome and Shark Bay. If you fancy tackling the Kimberley’s dusty roads, a similar two-week timeframe is suitable.
But there’s a catch.
Expensive one-way fees mean you’re often financially better off returning your vehicle to the same pick-up point. Weigh up the one-way fee against the extra fuel and driving time to determine what works best for you.
Book a longer holiday or factor in more highway hours per day if you need to double back to your pick-up point. Splitting your top sites between the outbound and return journey is a great way to avoid those dreaded all-day drives at the end of your holiday.
Some campervan-friendly towns provide extra-large parking bays to accommodate big RVs, although they’re not always convenient. It’s legal to park across two spaces, provided you abide by the relevant regulations and pay for both bays (when fees apply).
Look for a nearby ticket machine when payment is required. These either spit out a receipt, which you place printed-side-up on your dashboard or take an electronic record. You can pay the machine via cash, debit card, or the EasyPark app.
Parking violations attract hefty fees, and inspectors monitor compliance in many areas. Always study the signs to ensure you understand the rules. Never park alongside double yellow lines, and don’t overstay your time limit—1P means one-hour parking, 2P two hours, and so on.
Fees and restrictions often don’t apply during the evening. But that doesn’t mean you can sleep there overnight.
Queensland is the only Australian state to explicitly prohibit sleeping overnight in a vehicle. However, most Australian councils (local governments) have drafted by-laws to discourage free camping in their jurisdictions.
Enforcement is lax in off-the-beaten-track towns and big cities but stringent in popular tourist destinations. Attempt to free camp somewhere like Airlie Beach, the Sunshine Coast, or Byron Bay, and you’ll likely wake up with an eye-watering fine on your windshield. To avoid a nasty surprise or a verbal lashing, it’s best to stick to designated campgrounds.
Australia has an eclectic array of campsites scattered around the country. From basic, cheap-as-chips bush camps to ritzy holiday parks; there’s no shortage of places to stay.
There’s no single authority managing all of Australia’s national parks. Instead, each state has established a unique national park department, setting park entry and campsite fees.
Queensland: Free entry to all national parks
NSW: From $8 to $12 per vehicle for a single-entry pass or $65 for an annual multi-park pass
Victoria: Free entry into all national parks
Tasmania: $41.20 per vehicle for a single-entry pass or $82.40 for a two-month holiday pass
South Australia: From $12.50 per vehicle for a single-entry pass or $50 for a two-month holiday pass
Western Australia: $15 per vehicle for a single-entry pass or $60 for a four-week holiday pass
Northern Territory: Free entry to all national parks except Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park ($38 per adult for a three-day pass) and Kakadu National Park ($40 per adult for a seven-day pass).
ACT: Free entry into all national parks
All states offer free entry to at least some of their national parks. However, the most popular options tend to attract fees.
For more detailed information, including permit requirements, see our guides for Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Australia is an enormous country—it’s the world’s largest island and slightly smaller than the United States. Although vast swathes are covered in desert, there’s plenty to see between the dusty, arid sprawl.
Given the sheer magnitude of this landmass, travellers should focus on one region at a time.
Cruising down the East Coast is the classic Australian road trip. From sparkling surf beaches to laidback coastal hamlets and glistening modern cities, the eastern seaboard has a plethora of places to explore. A quick jaunt inland have you meandering, sopping wet rainforest, gawking at gushing falls, and hiking lofty Great Dividing Range trails.
Top highlights include the primal sandy utopia of Fraser Island, the emerald-green Whitsundays, and the cragged limestone stacks of the Great Ocean Road. But there are many, many more.
Kick-start your adventure in Melbourne (VIC), Sydney (NSW), Brisbane (QLD), or on the Gold Coast.
As you blaze north past the Tropic of Capricorn, the air thickens, and the scenery transitions into a luscious landscape of sugary-white beaches and swaying palms.
Far North Queensland is home to Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, a technicoloured dreamscape of kaleidoscopic corals and curious sea critters. Beyond these underwater adventures, this humid tropical region is awash with teeming rainforests (the Daintree is a must), fertile hinterlands, and thundering falls. Picture-perfect sandy stretches straddle the coastline, from Mission Beach to Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.
If a dreamy tropical paradise appeals, start your adventure by renting a campervan in Cairns.
Keen to live out your childhood Crocodile Dundee adventures in real-time? Then a holiday to the Top End beckons.
Occupying the upper end of the Northern Territory, this remote tropical wonderland is chock full of jaw-dropping national parks and idyllic yet croc-infested waterholes. Kakadu packs scenery straight out of an indigenous Dreamtime storybook, while Litchfield National Park boasts some of Australia’s most breathtaking falls. Kayaking down the gorgeous Katherine Gorge is a quintessential Top End experience.
If you’re aching to encounter monstrous reptiles up close, jump on a Jumping Croc River Cruise or dive inside an acrylic-strengthened glass enclosure at Crocosaurus Cove.
Tempted? Start your Top End experience by renting a camper in Darwin.
Smack bang in the nation’s geographic heart, the Red Centre encapsulates the magic of the Australian outback.
The top drawcard is Uluru, a spectacular sandstone monolith with an indescribable spiritual presence. A quick drive west takes you to Kata Tjuta, a striking cluster of otherworldly orange rock formations. More jaw-dropping scenery awaits at Kings Canyon, where scenic trails wind through a majestic outback ravine.
Then you’ve got the MacDonnell Ranges, an ancient cordillera chock full of gorgeous blood-red gorges and film-set-worthy swimming holes.
To savour the highlights of outback Australia, rent your campervan in Alice Springs.
Off-the-beaten-track travellers will love cruising around South Australia, the country’s most under-rated state.
Striking arid coastlines define the Eyre Peninsula, while thickly forested mountains comprise the leafy Adelaide Hills. Wine lovers and everyday epicureans will find a smorgasbord of top-notch produce—the Barossa Valley pumps out some of the best Shiraz on earth.
If pristine beaches and abundant wildlife appeal, take the car ferry to Kangaroo Island. Otherwise, the Yorke and Fleurieu peninsulas offer a mix of laidback coastal villages and fertile farming lands. Hardy trekkers will want to drive north towards the Flinders Ranges, a colourful rugged region boasting some of Australia’s top outback hikes.
If South Australia tickles your fancy, begin your motorhome adventure in Adelaide.
Tucked away in the country’s southeast corner, this lush little island is arguably its most spectacular state. Australia’s quintessential parched pastoral lands give way to wildlife-rich rainforests and misty alpine plateaus dotted with glistening tarns. Awe-inspiring shorelines straddle the east coast, while endless pristine wilderness defines the southwest.
Tassie, as the locals call it, is a trekking mecca ram-packed with jaw-dropping nature trails. Routes traverse pristine beaches, thick luscious forests, and rugged lofty ranges—there’s an outdoor adventure for every taste.
Budget-conscious travellers should know Tasmania offers the country’s highest concentration of free camps. And we’re not talking about noisy, rubbish-strewn rest areas. The state is awash with stunning spots to stay overnight without spending a dime.
Hankering to stretch the legs with an endless selection of scenic hikes? Start your Tasmanian campervan adventure in Hobart, Launceston, or Devonport.
The northwest is your best bet. This slice of Australia is among the world’s most sparsely-populated regions. Only a smattering of tiny towns lie scattered around these vast arid lands.
To the north, the Kimberley is a bewildering wilderness of semi-arid savannah and rugged mountain ranges. Many dusty, off-the-beaten-track routes require a well-stocked 4WD. Nonetheless, a conventional campervan will get you across the Great Northern Highway and between a slew of awe-inspiring sites.
The northwest coast brings untouched, sugar-white beaches lapped by calm turquoise-tinged waves. Hit the Ningaloo Coast for pristine scenery and psychedelic near-shore reefs. Further south, Shark Bay is a World Heritage-listed wonderland of picturesque coastal vistas and marine life-rich waters. An inland detour to Karijini entails mind-blowing canyons and waterholes.
Grab a campervan in the tourist-friendly resort town of Broome to gallivant around Northwest WA.
In stark contrast to the northwest, this verdant section of the state is defined by delightful tall tree forests and buzzing coastal towns.
Head north of Perth, the humming WA state capital, towards Kalbarri, a world-class national park home to broad ochre-hued gorges and striking coastal cliffs. A string of laidback seaside hamlets straddles the coastline, each with beautiful beaches and easy-going vibes. The Pinnacles is a must for its alien-like landscape of pointy limestone pillars, while Lancelin lures adventure-seekers for its sand board-friendly dunes.
To the south, Mandurah is a fashionable beach resort popular with holiday-making families. Solitude-seeking campervanners should venture inland to quaint bushlands settlements like Dwellingup, Jarrahdale, Ballingup, and Collie. Mirror-like rivers and thickly forested trails lie peppered around these parts, plus many picture-perfect waterfront campsites.
Heading further down leads you to the South West, a dreamy region of beautiful beaches, protected peninsulas, and sky-high Karri forests. Margaret River serves as the official tourism epicentre, though beach towns like Dunsborough are a better bet if you’d rather laze away your days by the sea.
The WA South Coast is home to a string of fabulous beach towns—Walpole and Denmark are a must. In-between settlements, you’ll find stunning coastlines like Greens Pool, West Cape Howe, Torndirrup National Park, and Two Peoples Bay. Not far north of Albany, Porongurup and Stirling Range house the state’s most spell-binding mountain terrain.
Inland, the Southern Forests is a vast woodland region and a paradise for tall tree lovers. Highlights include Beedelup Falls,Pemberton, Big Brook Dam, and the terrifying climb up the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree.
The epicentre of the southeast coast is Esperance, from where you can reach postcard-perfect beaches in Cape Le Grand and the Great Ocean Drive. If time permits, it’s worth making a pit stop at Bremer Bay and Fitzgerald River National Park.
Ready for a southwest adventure? Hire your motorhome in Perth.
Yes, it’s standard for most companies to allow an additional driver. This driver and any others must be named on the rental agreement, and there may be a nominal fee.
Additional drivers must also hold an appropriate driver’s licence and must meet driver age requirements.
When renting a vehicle, it is standard to be charged a bond (security deposit), also known as ‘excess’, which is the amount the renter is liable to cover in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle.
The bond amount fluctuates based on the insurance package selected at the time of rental and is charged and debited on the renters’ credit or debit card.
Terms and conditions vary by rental company; however, most companies do not charge a fee if the cancellation is made three months prior to pickup (including Maui, Britz, Apollo, Cheapa Campa, StarRV, Hippie and Mighty). The closer the date to picking up the vehicle, the higher the cancellation fee will generally be.
Deposit amounts may not be refundable.
With the COVID-19 outbreak affecting many travellers’ plans in 2020, many suppliers have updated their cancellation policies.
To cancel a booking, contact our friendly support team via the Support Page.
All drivers must have a current and full driver’s licence to hire a vehicle. Foreign licences are acceptable if they are in English or accompanied by an accredited English translation. Otherwise, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
Yes, generally unlimited kilometres are included for standard vehicle rentals in Australia. Limits are placed on some types of vehicles, e.g. 4x4 campers. The comparison tool will show you whether your preferred vehicle has unlimited or restricted kilometres.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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