Campervan Hire in Australia (2025 - 2026 Guide)

Dreaming of an Aussie road trip? Campervan hire in Australia is your ticket to total freedom, with accommodation, meals and transport sorted all in one place. From the Great Ocean Road to the East Coast and the Top End, we help you compare vans, prices and pick-up spots, then book in minutes. Below you’ll find the essentials: licence and age rules, different types of campervans, the best times to travel, where you can camp, and simple ways to save. Spend less time planning and more time chasing sunsets.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Campervan vs Hotel + Car Rental

Budget friendly: A campervan hire covers both your accommodation and transport. The kitchenette will also allow you to cook your own meals and save on dining out.
Freedom at your own pace: You don't have to worry about hotel check in and check out times. There's more freedom to alter your itinerary if you decide to stay longer in one place.
Be closer to nature: In Australia, there are more campgrounds near remote attractions compared to hotels. This include beautiful national parks, next to a beach or a beautiful river where you can enjoy sunsets.
Travel the unbeaten path: If you hire a 4WD camper, you can visit national parks or unsealed tracks that a regular car rental will not take you.

What are the trade offs?

With a campervan, you need to allocate time and energy for cooking and cleaning. If your itinerary is too packed, the trip can turn out very exhausting when you have to drive, cook and clean daily. A car rental with hotel stay may be a better experience for short trips.

What are the Differences between Campervans, Motorhomes, or 4WD Campers?

Campervans

Campervans typically come with basic sleeping and cooking facilities. Suited for backpackers, groups of friends, couples, small families or solo travellers.

Pros: It is budget friendly, compact, easy to park and drive. Gives you shelter during bad weather.

Cons: The overall experience is similar to camping in tents. There's no air-conditioning in cabin or shower and toilet onboard.

Motorhomes

Motorhomes are like a home. It comes with shower and toilet, sleeping quarters, cooking facilities and often air-conditioning.

Pros: Provides the comforts of a home. More room to move around, and more space for luggage. The kitchen may have a larger fridge and a grill. Some RVs also come with an external awning.

Cons: The price is often dearer compared to a campervan.

4WD Campers

4WD Campers can be driven on approved unsealed roads so you can visit national parks or remote attractions. Sleeping quarters are usually roof top tents for up to 5 people. There are also sleep inside options for groups of 2.

Pros: A 4WD camper can tackle rugged terrains so you can visit remote attractions and camp in nature. It is a great choice when visiting Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide etc.

Cons: 4WD campers come with basic facilities with lesser comfort. The idea is to travel light as it needs to navigate challenging terrains.

How to Book a Campervan and Save Money in Australia?

Before you book a campervan in Australia, there are a few important factors to consider such as your budget, the weather or season, the features you need in your campervan, and insurance options etc. With over 20 years of experience, we've compiled this useful list to help with your planning

1. Determine your Budget

Your budget should include your air tickets, rental cost, insurances, fuel cost, food, campsite fees, toll fees, entry passes or tickets where applicable.

2. Decide your Destination, Dates and Campervan

With your budget in place, use our search tool to compare campervans, prices and read real customer reviews for individual campervans.

Tip: Book at least 3 months ahead to enjoy lower rates. Aim for the shoulder seasons to keep costs down while the weather stays kind. If you wish to travel during December or January, rates are cheaper if you start your trip from 19 December or 5 January and avoid the festive periods.

Here's a true story: In March 2025, a customer made a booking for a premium 6 berth motorhome to travel over the New Year period for 10 days. He secured a low rate of $480/day including full insurance. In September 2025, the daily rate has increased to $580/day for the same rental. This customer has saved $1000 by booking early. All he had to do was put down a small 15% deposit at the time of booking and this deposit was also refundable up to 2 months before his trip in case his plan changes.

3. Don't be Shy to Ask for Deals

If you are travelling for long periods, or hiring multiple vehicles like a campervan and a car, you may be eligible for exclusive discounts. Reach out to reservations@aussiecampervans.com for a tailored quote. Last but not least, look out for promocodes you can use to save more!

4. Determine the Must Have Features in your Campervan

There are various aspects to consider when choosing a campervan. For example:

Do you need a 4WD to travel on unsealed roads?
Is air-conditioning crucial for you?
Do you require shower and toilet on board?
Does the bed length fit your height?
Are you a family with young children who need child safety seats?
Would you like to bring your dog?
Are you happy camping with basic amenities, or do you prefer a fully kitted motorhome for comfort?

5. Plan your Itinerary

Now that you have shortlisted a campervan for your trip, make a detailed itinerary to ensure that your campervan is allowed to travel to all the attractions you want to visit. You can check the rental terms and conditions or request for a travel restriction list from team members.

When you plan your itinerary, allocate enough time and energy for driving, cooking and cleaning. Avoid driving during dusk and dawn, allocate time for grocery shopping and time to search for dump stations.

6. Read the Rental Conditions before Booking

This is the most important step before committing to a rental. Find out what are the travel restrictions, the cancellation policy, is there a security bond payable, what the insurance covers and what are the exclusions etc. At any point of time when you are unsure, reach out to us via chat or email: reservations@aussiecampervans.com to clarify.