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Get behind the wheel of an Australia campervan rental for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the Land Down Under. Stunning beaches, exotic wildlife, lively cities, and the endless expanse of the Outback make this country one of the most thrilling places to explore by motorhome. Get closer to nature and see more with a campervan from Motorhome Republic.
Explore our campervan deals in Australia
5% Off Earlybird Discount Spaceships Australia Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2026 Minimum hire period: 120 days
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Top tips on hiring a campervan in Australia
The first thing that is useful to know when hiring a campervan in Australia is that the term "campervan" includes what other countries might call an RV or a Motorhome. In Australia you can get small sleeper vans, which have room for two people, right through to the largest luxury campervan models, which sleep 6+ people.
The range and types of vehicles that are available will depend on where you're picking up from. You'll have more choice in big cities and tourism hotspots like Cairns and Brisbane. However, Motorhome Republic has campervan pick up locations in over 20 Australian cities and airports, so you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing somewhere to start your journey.
Be aware that costs rise during the Summer months, however Queensland and the Northern Territories sees consistent demand because of the warmer weather conditions. You'll also need to be at least 18, or 21 in some cases, to hire a campervan in Australia.
Picking up your campervan rental in Australia
- Confirm your Australia motorhome hire pick up plan ahead of time. If you're picking up from the airport, the rental company will usually provide a free shuttle to their depot.
- All drivers must present a valid license. An adequate translation or international driver’s permit is required if it is not in English.
- Take time to rest after a long international flight before heading out on a lengthy campervan trip. We recommend at least 24 hours.
- Your agent will show you around your campervan and how to operate it. Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.
- Drive around the lot and practice parking to get a feel for the motorhome/RV rental.
- Research which route you’ll take in your Australia campervan hire as well as possible, so you have an idea of what types of roads you will encounter. There are unsealed roads in certain sections of Australia and your motorhome rental agreement may prohibit you from driving on them. It’s best to check with your rental provider whether there are any roads you must avoid.
Preparation for your Australia motorhome hire adventure
- Stock up your Australian campervan rental on petrol and supplies. The distances between stops are vast in some parts of Australia and you may find yourself driving for hours before coming across any signs of life. Make sure you have plenty of water and food to last the distance. Map out where you will fuel up, and ensure you arrive within business hours.
- If possible, plan to share the driving responsibility of your camper hire. Schedule regular stops to minimise driver fatigue.
- Prepare for the heat. Temperatures soar in central Australia, especially in the middle of the day. Keep plenty of water in the vehicle.
- Many parts of Australia are very remote, so carry a cellphone with you at all times, and a method of keeping it charged. The nationwide emergency number is 000.
- Write down important information, like driving directions and fuel stops, in case you need it when out of service range.
On the road in your motorhome
- Carry your license for the entire duration of your campervan rental tour.
- Drive on the left side of the road, and overtake on the right.
- The posted speed limit should be carefully adhered to when driving your campervan in Australia. Heavier vehicles like campervans and motorhomes take longer to come to a stop.
- Leave plenty of space between yourself and the next vehicle so you have time to react should anything go wrong.
- At no time should mobile phones be used while driving a campervan in Australia.
- Wildlife are most active at dusk and dawn.
- Try to do most of the driving during daylight hours for safety purposes.
- When driving your campervan in the Outback, you’re likely to come across some road trains. These are huge trucks with 3-4 trailers behind the truck cab. Some weigh nearly 200 tonnes! If you need to overtake them, try to wait for a passing lane, as you’ll need at least two and a half kilometres of clear space to overtake them safely. Due to their sheer size, these trucks take a long time to stop, so take extra precautions and follow at a distance.
Parking your camper van hire in Australia
Finding a space to park your camper or car hire is one of the most challenging aspects of driving in Australia’s cities. When you’re visiting remote towns, parking will be a breeze, but in busy urban centres, it’s important to be aware of parking rules and signs.
You may find it better to leave your campervan at your accommodation and use public transport to get around the cities instead. Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may be too large to fit inside conventional parks and may be required to occupy two spaces. Try to be courteous and avoid disrupting the cars around you.
In large Australian cities, there are parking buildings and lots where you can pay to park your motorhome rentals for the day. Most are owned and operated by private companies, such as Wilson Parking or Secure Parking. The price varies from place to place, but expect to pay a premium in the city centre. In busy areas, you may also have to pay to park on the street; keep an eye out for street meters or signs for more information.
In some areas, there will be parking restrictions in place. You should always carefully check for signs before you park your campervan. If you see a green ‘P’, this means parking is allowed. If there are restrictions in place, the sign will usually include information about these (for example, if the sign reads ‘3P’ this means you are able to park for three hours maximum). The ‘NO PARKING’ signs are clearly marked; they have a white background and red letters.
There are some circumstances in which parking is always prohibited. For example, you may never park on double yellow lines, on a cycle path, on private land, or in a disabled parking space. You must also take care not to block any driveways or park on the pavement. Parking in bus or tram lanes is only allowed if the lane is out of operation (for example, some lanes are only used by buses and trams during peak times).
Popular motorhome road trips in Australia
Not quite sure where your Australian holiday will take you, or what you could do and see along the way? Take a look below to find a wide array of itineraries starting from seven different cities. Even if you already have a pretty good idea of where you’re headed with your RV camper rental, this may just be the perfect opportunity to discover attractions and sights you would have otherwise missed entirely.
Sydney to Cairns
Australia’s east coast is renowned for its sunshine, beaches, and the marine glories of the Great Barrier Reef, but if you thought you knew everything there is to know about this idyllic coastline, think again. Grab a cheap campervan hire in Sydney and tick this beauty off the list.
Sydney to Brisbane
To pack some of Australia’s most appealing attractions into one relatively compact road trip, it’s hard to go past a Sydney to Brisbane coastal road trip. Beaches, wildlife, vineyards, whale-spotting, and partying are all on the menu, so no matter how you like to holiday there’s bound to be something for you on this Australia motorhome rental trip.
Melbourne to Brisbane
Those who have a little more time to spend on their Australian motorhome hire trip should consider starting their journey from the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, allowing you to get a taste of small-town Australia and explore the country’s capital of Canberra before moving on to Sydney and the east coast.
Hobart Round Trip
Tasmania shows off an entirely different side of Australia. Instead of deserts and shining coastal cities, visitors will find wild forests and remote beaches will rival some of the world’s best. A Tasmania campervan holiday is an especially good choice during the Australian summer as the southern state is much cooler than the rest of the country. Get your Tasmania adventure off to the best start with a motorhome hire from Hobart.
Sydney to Adelaide
Not only does this campervan rental tour include the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most beautiful coastal routes, but it also gives you the chance to explore four of Australia’s thriving cities and innumerable small character-filled towns along the way.
Adelaide to Darwin
When many people think of Australia, it’s the red sands of the Outback that come to mind and that’s exactly what this camper hire trip will deliver. The red rock of Uluru, the oasis town of Alice Springs, and the radical biodiversity of national parks in the Northern Territory all feature on this epic campervan trip through the Red Centre.
Cairns to Darwin
The Red Centre isn’t the only way to explore the Australian Outback of course. Driving your campervan hire from Cairns to Darwin will give you the opportunity to witness the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, with your own eyes before following a historic cattle driving route deep into the desert and then emerging in subtropical Darwin.
The Great Ocean Road
If you only got a short amount of time available to explore Australia but still want a spectacular camper rental road trip, tackling the Great Ocean Road is the way to go. You’d be hard-pressed to find superior coastal scenery anywhere in the world, and the entire trip can be easily accomplished in one long weekend.
Other great campervan hire Australia road trips:
Campervan rental Australia: Frequently asked questions
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How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Australia?
Looking for a cheap campervan hire in Australia? Motorhome rental rates will change a bit depending on availability and seasonality. Compare up-to-the-minute prices now using our sophisticated search engine. Book as early as possible to get the best rates. Be reminded that the cheapest campervan hire deals may not always address all your travel needs.
How old do I need to be to hire a campervan in Australia?
Generally, you need to be at least 25 years old to hire a campervan in Austrlaia. Some Australian campervan and motorhome suppliers will rent their vehicles to those ages 18 and over, such as Jucy, Spaceships AU and Travellers Autobahn. It's important to note that there may be an extra charge for being under 25 and the selection of vehicles you can hire may be restricted. You can specify your age when making a search to see what vehicles are available to you
What driving license do I need to rent a campervan in Australia?
A special license is not needed to hire and drive a campervan in Australia. However, at all times you must carry either a valid license that can be read in English, an acceptable translation, or an international driving permit.
What do I need to bring when collecting my campervan in Australia?
You must bring a valid regular driver’s license for all drivers, a confirmed reservation, and a credit card in the renter’s name when collecting your campervan hire in Australia.
Is there a minimum rental period when hiring a campervan in Australia?
Yes, the minimum period on campervans for hire in Australia is usually 7 days. There are many exceptions to this depending on the time of year you want to get a campervan hire and the availability of vehicles. In some cases, the minimum rental period could also be longer over peak season travel. For more convenience, you may also check out large motorhomes that are equipped with double bed, toilet and shower.
Check out the terms under each listing as these often vary. If you are unsure or want to make a special request or need help with your motorhome rental Australia, please call us to speak with our customer service staff.
Can you sleep anywhere in a campervan in Australia?
While there are free camping spots in the country, you will need to be sure that the spot is indeed free before parking your campervan rental there. The rules can change from council to council, and if you’re caught camping in an unauthorised area you can face steep fines. You can search for camping areas—free, national parks, or holiday parks, and privately owned—on Camping Australia.
Can I pick up and drop off my campervan at different locations?
You can organise a one-way motorhome rental with relative ease, but this may incur an extra fee. Do note that renting campervan one-way may not be possible between certain cities or states in some cases, particularly whilst COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Take advantage of our search engine designed for campervan hire comparison to see options available.
Are unlimited kilometres included in my Australia campervan rental?
Each motorhome hire Australia listing has its own conditions, and should clearly state what can be expected with regard to unlimited kilometres. Check the terms for each rental company before booking the campervans.
When is the best time to hire a campervan in Australia?
As the country is so vast, each region has its own optimal season for exploring. Whilst the most popular months to hire a campervan in Australia would be during the summer in December through March, savvy travellers willing to explore off the beaten track on Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, or during off-peak times will likely be rewarded with fewer crowds and the cheapest campervan rental companies could offer.
What is the speed limit in Australia?
In most cases, you can travel up to 100 km/h on open roads, 50 km/h in city and suburban areas, and 40 km/h near schools. Speed limits are well sign posted and should be adhered to at all times. Always follow the recommended speed limits when driving your camper van Australia.
Is it safe to motorhome in Australia?
Touring in Australia using a motorhome is definitely one of the safest ways to experience the beauty of the country. A campervan trip also brings freedom, doing everything at your own pace, with most of your needed equipment inside the vehicle. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the signs and rules before going on your road trip adventure.
What extra charges will I need to pay when I return my campervan?
If you do not want to be charged when you return your vehicle, do not forget to clean the campervan (with empty waste/grey water tanks). In addition, please make sure that you top-up your gas tank before drop off.
What's the difference between a Motorhome, Campervan and RV?
Sometimes, the terms Motorhome, Campervan and RV are used interchangeably. But there can be differences. For example, an RV or Recreational Vehicle encompasses not just motorhome and campervans, but also travel trailers and pop-up campers. We have listed all of the key differences in our blog, RV vs. Motorhome vs. Campervan: What's the Difference?
