RV & Campervan Rental Australia

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.

The cost of renting a campervan in Australia through a supplier can vary depending on several factors, such as:

1. Camper size
2. Age
3. Features
4. Booking length
5. Time of year
6. Intended pickup and drop-off point

One-way rentals also usually incur a relocation fee, which can significantly increase the cost. However, to give you a general idea, here are some estimated costs:

• For a basic van that sleeps 1-2 people, you can expect to pay between AUD $50 to $150 per day.
• For a larger motorhome that sleeps 4-6 people, you can expect to pay between AUD $110 to $410 per day.

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.

Australia can get very hot in summer. And during the winter, you'll be surprised how cold 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.

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 minimize the risk.

Campervan rental 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 vacations—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 minimize 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 favorite 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. Minimizing backtracking not only reduces travel time, but it'll also save you big bucks at the gas 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 areas, so get proactive and plan your top-ups ahead of time.

It's smart to figure out where you'll camp before nightfall. Find an affordable nearby campground and make a reservation (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 RV with all the bells and 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 restroom 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 favorite playlists for offline use.

Australia is expensive. High salaries, vast distances, and a strong economy ensure high prices across the board. But you can minimize your travel expenses by adopting the following thrifty tips:

Avoid peak season: Rental prices skyrocket during Christmas, New Year, Easter, and school vacations. 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 refueling 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 vacation 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 (gas 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 favorite 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.

Fall (March-May) and spring (September-November) can bring pleasant weather without 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 cozier 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 vacation.

While the average person can safely drive up to eight hours in a day, you don't want to spend your whole vacation 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 savor 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 vacation 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 vacation.

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.

No Australian state has a blanket ban on sleeping in your vehicle. However, many councils (local governments) treat sleeping in a vehicle as “camping” and prohibit it in certain streets, foreshore reserves, and car parks. Signs will often say “No camping” or “No overnight stays”—ignore these and you risk a fine.

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, including:

• Commercial caravan and holiday parks
• Council or showground campgrounds
• State and national-park campgrounds (usually with fees and bookings required)
• Designated free or low-cost camps signposted by councils or listed in apps like WikiCamps and CamperMate.

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, with a few exceptions and separate camping or vehicle-access fees at some recreation areas.
• NSW: Many parks are free, but around 45 national parks and reserves charge vehicle entry. Single-day vehicle passes are typically $4, $8 or $12 per vehicle, with higher special rates in places like Kosciuszko National Park during winter. An annual Multi-Park Pass that covers most fee-collecting parks (excluding Kosciuszko) costs $65 for one year.
• Victoria: There is no general vehicle entry fee for most Victorian national parks—you can usually drive in and walk tracks without paying a separate gate charge. However, camping, roofed accommodation and some activities (such as tours, education programs and filming) do attract fees, and you must book and pay in advance at popular spots like Wilsons Promontory or the Grampians.
• Tasmania: Most national parks require a parks pass. A 24-hour vehicle pass is currently around $48, and a two-month Holiday Pass is about $95.50 per vehicle. Camping and some shuttle services (for example at Cradle Mountain) cost extra.
• South Australia: Many popular parks charge around $13.90 per vehicle per day. Multi-park vehicle passes offer better value if you’ll visit several parks, with a two-month vehicle entry pass for multiple parks at about $55.50 and a 12-month pass at about $125.
• Western Australia: Day entry at fee-collecting parks is currently about $17 per vehicle. Holiday passes (5-day, 2-week and 4-week) start from around $30, with a 4-week pass costing about $70 per vehicle.
• Northern Territory: Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu have their own Parks Australia passes (currently about $38 per adult for a three-day pass at Uluru and $25–$40 per adult for a seven-day pass at Kakadu, depending on the season). Most other NT parks now require an NT Parks Pass for interstate and international visitors—about $10 per adult per day, or $60 for a 12-month pass.
• ACT: Free entry into Namadgi National Park, the ACT’s main national park, though camping in designated campgrounds attracts a fee.

All states offer free entry to at least some of their national parks or to certain areas within them. However, the most popular options tend to attract entry or vehicle fees, and camping is usually charged separately.

For more detailed information, including permit requirements, see our guides for Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.